Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-18
to arrange for your guests-for their
wants and cOmfOrt?"

to arrange for your guests--for their
wants and comfort?"
What terribly straightforward ques-
lions you ask" he replied, laughing.
"You are sole mistress of the house
you must give all orders in it."
II have not yet learned 70 think OF
myself yet as mistress of this house"
she rejoined, with proud composure.
Then I must ask you to begin" he
said. you are indeed sole mistress Of
this house; every one in 1t is bound to
obey you-whatever you direct Is to
be DONE"
But" returned Hildred, yesterday,
when I went into the housekeeper's
room, she did not seem inclined to
submit to my authority at all. She
said that her keys were mislaid when
I wanted to look over the linen-press.
fancy that she thinks am rather too
young to hold much authority"
81 will soon settle that matter" said
the earl.
He rang the bell, and in answer to
his summons servant came. He
sent for the housekeeper, who looked
slightly troubled at the unexpected call.
Mrs. Hampton" said the earl, stern
ly, l have sent for you to say that
every order given by Lady Caraven Is
to be attended to instantly--that she Is
to be obeyed implicitly as am obeyed
myself-that the least show of disre-
spect or disobedience will be punished
by immediate dismissal. You will see
that my commands are carried out"
II will do so, my lord"
"You will go for the future to Lady
Caraven for all your orders-you will
take them only from her."
Thank you, my lord" said the
housekeeper, retiring with a sense Of
relief.
Mildred turned to her husband.
"And thank you, too," she said,
calmly. Il should not have spoken but
that I saw there was disposition in
the house to ignore my authority
knew that you would not like that"
Certainly not-you have done quite
right" he told her-and sudden
sense of her cruel position came over
him. Was it likely that the servants
would show much respect to one who
they could plainly see was an unloved
wife?
He quilted the breakfast-room not
quite satisfied with himself, and not
satisfied with her.
Marriage is a mistake at the best
of times" he said, "but marriage for
money is the greatest mistake Of all"
Exening came and brought the ex-
pected guests-Sir Charles Courtenay,
young baronet who had but one idea,
and that was love for his wife, Lady
Alice Courtenay, who was pretty, live
ly and accomplished. Hildred liked her
at once. Her face was sunny and fair,
and laughing eyes and sweet lips
made her very attractive picture.
Hildred looked at her with something
like envy. She was charmingly
dressed, and had a bright expression
of countenance.
That evening when Lady Caraven
was dressing for dinner, her faithful
maid could hardly be satisfied; she
brought out jewels, flowers, ornaments
of all kinds.
do wear them, my lady," she said;
eff you would but let me help you more
in your toilets! Lady Courtenay is so
beautifully dressed, do not let her have
all the admiration"
The girl had grown so sorry for her
young mistress that she sometimes
ventured to speak Familiarity to her.
Mildred sat listlessly before the toilet
table; neither jewels, flowers, nor
dresses had the least interest for her.
81 think it very probable that all the
admiration will fall to her lot whether
I take pains with my dress or not"
she said, musingly
"My lady," returned the cir, earnest
w. "you do not know how beautiful
you are-you do not indeed. If you
but take some little interest-you have
a lovely figure and bautiful hair-lf
you would but care little more"
Lady Caraven laughed good-natured-
ly; the girls admiration was so sim
cere that she could not be angry.
(To be continued.)