Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-07
CHAPTER XXIII.
A RICH GIFT DECLINED


The brides first dinner at home was over,
and had been q great success. Lady Darrell
had not evlnced the least emotion; she had
married for her present social position-for
a fine house, troops Of servants, beautiful,
warm, fragrant rooms, choice wines, and
luxurious living; it was only part and parcel
of what she expected, and intended to have.
She took the chair Of state provided for her,
and by the perfect ease and grace of her
manner proved that she was well fitted for II.
Sir Oswald watched her with keen delight,
only regretting that years ago he had not
taken unto himself a wife. He was most
courtly, most deferential, most attractive. If
Lady Darrell did occasionally feel weary,
and the memory of Aubrey LangtOn's face
rose between her and her husband, she made
1T sign.
When the three ladies withdrew, she made
no further efforts to conciliate Pauline. She
looked at her, but seemed almost afraid to
speak. Then SHE opened a conversation with
Miss Hastings, and the two persevered II in their
amiable small talk until Pauline rose and
went to the piano, the scornful glance on her
face deepening.
This IS making ones self amiablel p she
thought. what a blessing it would be il
l'OGfS wa SINeh Nil "bNl NAlN1 hlhh
something sensible to sayW
She sat down before the plano, but sudden.
ly remembered that she had not been asked
to do so, and that she was no longer mistress
of the house-a reflection sufficiently CALLING
to make her rise quickly, and 60 to the other
end of the room.
Pauline" said Lady Darrell, 'pray sing
for us. Miss Hastings tells me YOU have a
magnificent voice"
Have |? Miss Hastings is not SO compli.
mentary when she speaks to me alone"
Then q sudden resolution came to Lady
Darrell. She rose from her seat, and, with
the rich robe of silver and white sweeping
around her, she went to the end of the room
where Pauline was standing, tall, stately,
and statuesque, turning over the leaves of a
book. The contrast between the two girls
the delicate beauty Of the one, and the grand
loneliness OF the othcr-was never more
strongly marked.
Lady Darrell laid her white hand, shining
with jewels, on Pauline's arm. She looked
up into her proud face.
Pauline" she said, gently, will you not
be friends? We have to live together-will
you be friends?"
Mop replied Miss Darrell, in her clear,
frank voice. II gave you warning. You
paid no heed TO it. We shall never be
friends"
A fai mile played round Lady DalTelPs
lips.
But, Pauline, do you not see how useless
all your resentment against Inc is nOwP My
marriage \, it'll Sir Oswald has taken place,
and you and | shall have to live together per-
haps for many yearS-it would be so much
better for lis to live in peace"
The proud face wore its haughtiest look.
1T would be better for you, perhaps, Lady
Darrell, but it can make no difference to me"
ut can, indeed. Now listen TO reason-
listen TO mer' and in her eagerness Lady
Darrell once more laid her hand on the girls
arm. Her face flushed as Pauline drew back,
with a look Of aversion. letting the jewcled
hand fall. Listen, Pauliner" persevered
Lady Darrell. You know all this is non
SenSe--sheer nonsense. My position now is
established. You can do nothing to hurt me
Sir Oswald will take good care of that.
Any attempt that you may make TO injure
me will fall upon yourself; besides, you
know you can do nothing" in spite of her
words, Lady Darrell looked half-fearfully at
the girls proud, defiant face. "You may
nave all kinds OF tragic plans for vengeance
IN your mind, but there are no secrets in my
life that you can find out to my discredit-
indeed, you cannot lnjure me in any possible
way" She seemed SO sure of ii, yet her eyes
sought Pauline's with an anxious, question
ing fear. Now, l, on the contrary" she
went on, ''can do much for you-and 1 will.
You are young, and naturally wish to enjoy
your life. You shall. You shall have balls
and parties, dresses-everything that you can
wish for, If you will only be friends with
me-"
She might as well have thrown drops of oil
on an angry ocean to moderate its wrath.
Lady Darrell" was the sole reply, ''you
are only wasting your time and mine. l
warned you. Twenty years may elapse be-
fore my vengeance arrives, but it will come
at last"
She walked away, leaving the brilliant fig
nre OF the young bride alone in the bright
lamp-light. She did not leave the room, for
Sir Oswald entered at the moment, carrying
q small, square parcel in his hand. He smiled
as he came in.
How pleasant it is to see so many fair
facesp' he said. "Why, my home has indeed
been dark until now"
He went up TO Lady Darrell, as she stood
alone, All the light in the room seemed to