The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-07-01

III ZNSsY in great gol d e
sheaves, the fruit
hung ripe upon the
1sz/ trees.
One morning letter came to Raw
ensmere. 1t 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 pref
ty certain we must invite a party to
meet her."
The young countess looked up.
1--WE are party" she told him-"we
are three"
Lord Caraven laughed
'Three is very small number, Hill
dred. What would Lady Hamilton say
if she came here and found tnat We had
not invited any one to meet her? Raoul
and 1 would be exhausted by the
amount of homage we should have to
pay. Lady Hamilton is the very queen
of coQuettes."
81 do not like coquettes," said Lady
Caraven, curtly.
at would be wonderful if 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 Irritation.
But that is no settlement of our diff
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 it," 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.
els she q widow" continued the
young countess.
lone of the youngest, prettiest,
wealthiest widows in England, said
the earl.
Lady Caraven felt vague dawning
of jealous dislike.
"I 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 Caraven almost
re-echoed the wish.
Perhaps the Countess of Caraven
had never undertaken task more un-
pleasant to her than the writing OF this
letter, yet it had to be done with all
the graceful courtesy imaginable. Then
/ the earl made out a 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, a mil
lionaire, philosopher, and soldier.
Surely between them her ladyship will
receive homage enough"
His wife noted with infinite satisfac-
ton that he had not mentioned him
self. Evidently he had no idea Of pay
ing homage to her; but the words,
lone of the youngest, prettiest widows
in England" had made 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 a mere dancing party