Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-06-11
CHAPTER XxXIv.

she said. Imagine, Pauline, who is here.
You have heard me speak ~ the 81. Law
rences. / educated Laura st. Lawrence, and
she married well and went to India. Her
husband holds a very high appointment
there. Lady ST. Lawrence is here with her
son, Sir Vane. | am 50 pleased"
And am pleased FOR you," responded
Pauline, with the new gentleness that sat 50
we'll upon her.
II must go and see them" continued Miss
Hastings. They are staying at Sea View.
We can soon find out where Sea View is
) LawrenceI' said Pauline, musingiy;
IL like the name; il has n pleasant sound
They are noble people who bear Il" OBJ
served Miss Hastings Lady St Lawrence
was always my ideal OF a thoroughbred En-.
gliSh gentIewOman. ] never heard how II
was, but the greater part Of their fortune was
lost when Sir Arthur died. He left but this
one son, Vane; and, although he has the title,
he has but little TO support 1t with. / know
their family estates Were all sold. Lady ST.
Lawrence has q small ;0rtune Of her own;
but il is not much
Again Pauline repeated the name 10 her
self-"Vane st. Lawrence !'-thinking there
was a sound as of hall forgotten music in il.
That was r name that would have suited the
face she had watched on the sands.
"Vane 81. Lawrence
Unconsciously to herself she had said the
words aloud. Miss Hastings looked up quick
ly.
Did you speak, my dear?' she asked and
Pauline wondered to find her face suddenly
grow warm with burning blush.
Il think" said Miss Hastings, presently,
that | should like 10 visit them at once.
Lady ST. Lawrence may not be staying long,
and / should never forgive myself II / were
TO miss her. VIII you come with me, Pau
line?'
Yes, willingly"
She was ready to go anywhere, 10 do any
thing. with that great, wondering love, that
great, grand calm, filling her heart and soul.
For the first time the sight OF her own mag
nihcent loyeliness pleased her.
IL may see him again she thought TO her
self with almost child-like simplicity, and |
should like him 10 think OF me-"
She took more pains than she had ever
taken before; and the picturesque taste that
was part Of her character greatly assisted
her. Her dress was OF purple silk. plain,
rich and graceful; her hat, with its dropping
I purple plume, looked like a crown on the
bNdNA4AuA AANdh. DnE NbAlu ib hlDlt nt4D
looking royal ami queenly than she could
help the color OF her eyes and hair. Miss
Hastings looked up with a smile OF surprise,
the proud face was SO wonderfully beautiful
the light that never yet shone on land OF
sea was shining on il.
why, Pauline she said. laughing, LADY
St Lawrence will think | am taking the
Queen of Sheba in disguise! What strange
change is coming over you. child?'
What indeed! Wa il the shadow Of :
love that was to redeem her-to work
ders In her character Was il the light {
came from the half-awakeniug soul? Wi
women than good, kindly simple-hear
Miss Hastings might have been puzzled.
They were not long in finding Sea View
a pretty villa a little way on. Of the to-
standing at the foot OF a cliif, surrounded
trees and flowers-one OF the FTett!est SD
in Omberleigh. They were shown into
dr~awing-room, the Windows Of which CO
manded a magnificent view Of the sea.
Before they had been there many mimi
there entered a fair, gentle, gracious Ia
whose eyes flied with tears as she gree
Miss Hastings warmly.
"You are like a spirit from the past
said. Il can see Laura a little child az
as | look at yon. Nothing could have pleas
me so much as seeing you.'
Then she looked ~admlringly at the beauti
full girl by her side. Miss Hastings intro
duced her.
Miss Darrell" she said, III seems strange
that should meet you. Ny husband in his
youth knew Sir Oswald we'll
Lady 81. Lawrence was just what Miss
Hastings had described her-a thoroughly
high-bred English lady. In figure she was
tall and upright; her face had been beautiful
in its youth. and was even now comely ana
fair; the luxuriant brown hair was streaked
here and there with silver. She wore a dress
OF rich brocade, with some becoming arrange
ment of flowers and lace on her head; she
was charming In her lady-like simplicity and
gentleness.
Pauline, knowing that the two ladies would
have much to talk about, asked permission
10 amuse herself with some books she saw
upon the table.
They b~long IN INV o said Lady ST.
Lawrence, with a smile.
There wese Tennyson, Keats, and Byron.
and written inside of each. in a bold, clear
hand, was the name "Vane ST. Lawrence -
Pauline lost herself again in the sweet story
of Elaine, from which She was aroused at in
tervals by the repetition Il the words-'My
son Vane."
She could not help hearing some part OF
Lady 81. Lawrence's confidential communi-
cation, and ii was TO the effect how deeply
she deplored the blindness OF her SON, who
might marry his cousin Lillith Davenant
n OF the wealthieSt heiresses in England.
Miss Hastings was all kindly sympathy.
1t would be such an excellent thing for
him." continued Lady 81 Lawrence; 'and
Lillith is a very nice girl. But il Is useless
eounseling him; yane is ike his father. Sir
Arthur, you know, always would have his
own way
Pauline began 10 feel interested in this
vane ST Lawrence, who refused to marry
the wealthy heiress because he did mol love
her.
"He must he somewhat ike me- she said
to herself with q smile.
Then the conversation changed, and Lady
81. Lawrence began 10 speak OF her daughter
|. Laura and her children. Pauline returned
To Elaine, and soon forgot everything else.
She was aroused by a slight stir. She heard
Lady St. Lawrence say:
MY dear vane, how you startled mer'
Looking up, she saw before her the same
face that had engrossed her thoughts and
fancy!
She was nearer to Il now, and could see
more plainly the exquisite refinement Of the
beautiful mouth, the clear, ardent expression
OF the bold, frank eyes. the gracious lines OF
the clustering hair. Her heart seemed al
most 70 stand still-lt was though she had
suddenly been brought face to face with q
phantom.
He was bending over Lady 81 LRvrspce.
taiking eagerly 70 hsr-shs was gEtStidt Aiss