La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-07-02

One morning a letter came to Raw
ensmere. II was from Lady Hamilton,
to say that she was returning from
Cowes. where she had been staying
some time. and would be glad to pay
her promised visit
Lord Caraven's first sensation on
reading the coquettish little note was
not one of unmitigated pleasure. They
had been spending a very happy week
alone. the earl. the countess and Sir
Raoul-a week that he had thoroughly
enjoyed because the greater part of it
had been spent in the open air with his
wife and Sir Raoul. They had been
watching the builders progress, watch
Ing the improvements: and the earl
was more pleased than he would have
cared to say at seeing once more a
smile on the faces around him. He
did not feel quite sure at first that he
cared for the coming interruption. He
gave the letter to Lady Caraven.
IF she comes" he said, 1T is pret-
ty certain we must invite party to
meet her."
The young countess looked up.
I'VE are party" she told him-"we
are three"
Lord Carayen laughed.
Three ID very small number, Hill
dred. What would Lady Hamilton say
IL she came here ard found tnat we had
not invited any one to meet her? Raoul
and l would be exhausted by the
amount Of homage we should have to
pay. Lady Hamilton is the very queen
Of coquettes."
Il do not like coquettes," said Lady
Caraven, curtly.
1T would be wonderful II you did"
laughed her husband. "Dark-eyed and
dark-haired women like you, Hildred.
are generally severe; golden hair and
blue eyes take naturally to filtration.
But that is no settlement OF our dim
Guilty. There is but one course open
to us-to write and say that we shall
be delighted. You will write, OF
course?"
IF you wish 1t" said Hildred. quiet
ly.
Then we will draw up list of peo-
pie to invite while she is here. We
must have some eligible men,"
What does she want eligible men
for?" asked Hildred: and the two gen.
tlemen laughed at the question.
"Is she a widow" continued the
young countess.
"One OF the youngest. prettiest,
wealthiest widows in England. said
the earl.
Lady Caraven felt vague dawning
Of jealous dislike.
II am almost sorry that she is COM
ing now" put in Sir Raoul: I'VE are so
very happy-all our quietness will be
broken up and destroyed.
In his heart Lord Carayen almost
re-echoed the wish.
Perhaps the Countess OF Caraven
had never undertaken a task more un-
pleasant to her than the writing of this
letter, yet 1t had to be done with all
the graceful courtesy imaginable. Then
the earl made out list of people
whom he thought the brilliant young
widow would like to meet
There" he said-.we have an elig-
ible marquis. court favorite, mil
lionaire, a philosopher. and soldier.
Surely between them her ladyshfp will
receive homage enough
His wife noted with infinite satinfac-
ton that he had not mentioned him
SELF Evidently he had no idea OF pay
ing homage to her; but the words,
''one of the youngest. prettiest widows
in England" had made a disagreeable
impression on her. She could not tell
why. but she had an unpleasant fore
boding that evil would come from the
widows visit, evil both bitter and sore.
There is another thing. Hildred."
said Lord Caraven-"Lady Hamilton
must have amusement. You will have
to lay aside your work for a time and
attend to 1t. We must have ball-a
grand ball. not mere dancing party
we must have dinner parties and
s--a