The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-04-23
VICTORY
ny BERTHA NJ. CLAY.

HAna yen think he said. his face pile
with passion, s.tl.at you mag doas you like
that your contempt for Ill proper laws, your
willful caprice, your uncomfortable pride, are
to rule every one: You IRE mistaken, Miss
Darrell. Ifyou had consented to marry All
brey Langton, 1 would have made you my
heiress, because i should llaye known that
you were1in safe hands, under proper guild
ance; us it is--as you have refused in every
instance To obey me, as you have persisted
in ignoring every wish of mine--it Is time we
came to a proper understanding. l beg to
announce to you the fact thai / am engaged
to be married-tiat | have offered my hand
and heart to a lady who is AZ gentle as You.
are the reverse"
A dread silence followed thy words; Pau
line bore the blow like a true Darrell, never
fiinclling, never showing the least dismay.
After 4 time She raised her dark, proud eyes
to his face.
wish you joy Sic said, simply.
There is no doubt but that it will add
greatly to my happiness" he put In, shortly.
the same time,' resumed Pauline, II
must tell you frankly that ! do not think you
have used me well. You told me when /
anne here that | was to be lleiress OF Darrell
Court. / have grow to love 1t, | have Shap-
ed my life in accordance with what you said
to lie, and | do not think it is fair that you
should change your Intentions
"YOul have pelsiStcntly defed me" return.
ed the balonet; you have preferred your
least caprice to my wish; and now you must
reap your reward. Had you been dutiful,
obedient, submissive, you might have made
yourself very dear to Inc. Pray, listen."-H He
raisedliis fine white hand witlla gesture that
demanded silence. "Aiy marriage need not
make any difference as regards your resi-.
dence here. AS you say, you are a Darrell,
and my niece, so Your home Is here; and,
unless you make yourself intolerable, you
shall always lave a home suitable to your
position. But, as | can never hope that you
willprove an agreeable companion to the lady
who henof:s me by becoming my wife, ]
should be grateful to Miss Hastings ii she
would remain with you.'
Miss Hastings bowed her head; she was
too deeply grieved for words.
1T is my wish that you retain your present
nite of rooms" continued Sir Oswald; land
Lady Darrell, when She comes, will, L ar
sure, try to make everything pleasant fol
you. l have no more to say. AS for express.
ing any regret for the part you have acted
toward my young friend, Aubrey Langton,
it is useless-we will let the matter drop"
All tile Darrell pride and passion had been
slowly gathering i'll Paulinc's heart; a tor
rent of burning words rose to her lips.
IF you wish to marry, Sir Oswald" she
said, you have a perfect right to do SOHO
one can gainsay that; but ! say you have
acted neither Justly nor fairly to me. AS fol
the stranger YOU would bring to rule cvei
me-, l shall hate her, and | will be revcnged
Oh her. | shall tell her that She is taking my
place, ! shall speak my mlnd openly to her;
and, If she chooses tomarry You, to help
you to punish me, she shall take tile cOnse-
Quences."e
Sir Oswald laughed.
u might be alarmed by such a :nelodra.
matte ontburst," lie said, but that I know
you are quite powerless:'' and with n pro.
found bow to Miss Hastings, Sir Oswald
quilted the library.
Then Pauline's anger burst forth she grew
white with rage.
II have not been fairly uscd,''' she cried.
II told me Darrell Court was to be mine.
My heart has grown to love it; l love 1t bet
tel than l love anything living."
Miss Hastings, like d sensible woman, re-
Trained from saying anything on the subject
from reminding her that she had been
warned time after time, and had only laugh.
ed at the warning. She tried to offer some
soothing words, but the girl would not listen
to them. Her heart and soul were in angry
revolt.
Il might have been a useful woman" she
said, suddenly, .if / had had this chance in
life; l might have been happy myself, and
have made Others happy. As it is, I sweal
that l will live only for vengeance"
She raised her beautiful white arm ana