The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-03-05
THAT cannot help-it is rot my fault I
shall not make myself a hypocrlte to please

That cannot he1p-it Is rot my fault n
shall not make myself hypocrite to please
Sir Oswald.n
Society has duties which must be dis
charged, and which do not depend upon our
liking; we must do our duty whether we like
1t or not"
i detest society," was the abrupt reply
'it is all a shamw
Then why not do your best to improve itf
That would surely be better than to abuse II. /"
There is something In that" confessed
Miss Darrell, slowly.
"lf we each do our little best toward max
ing tho world even ever so little better than
we found it, said Miss Hastings, i've shall
not have lived in vain"
There was a singular grandeur Of generosi.
ty about the girl. III she saw that she was
wrong In an argument or an opinion, she ad-
That admission she made now by rising at
once to accompany Miss Hastings.
The drawing-room at Darrell Court was a
magnificent apartment; 1t had been furnish
ed under the superintendent Of the late
Lady Darrell, q lady of exquisite taste. 1t
was all white and gold, the white hangings
with bullion fringe and gold braids, the white
damask with a delicate border of gold; the
pictures, the costly statues cleaned in the
midst of rich and rare flowers; graceful orna-
ments, tall, slender vases were filled with
choicest blossoms; the large mirrors, with
their golden frames, were each and all per
feet in their way. There was nothing gaudy,
brilliant, OF dazzling; all was subdued, in
perfect good taste and harmony.
In this superb room the beauty of Pauline
Darrell always showed to great advantage;
she was in perfect keeping with its splendor.
AS she entered now, with her usual half
naughty, half-listless grace, Sir Oswald look
ed up with admiration plainly expressed on
his face.
"What a queenly mistress she would make
for the Court, ii she would but behave like
other peoplc!" he thought to himself, and
then Lady Hampton rose to greet the girl.
my dear Miss Darrell, l was getting quite
impatient, it seems an age since I saw YOU
really all age"
ut is all exceeding short one," returned
Pauline; II SEW you Oh Tuesday, Lady
Hampton"
did you9 All, yes; how could 1 forget3
All, my dear child, when you reach my age
different matters-you will not have such a
good memory as you have now"
Lady Hampton was a little, over-dressed
VoiAltlA SLO lOShCu ul 1lSkVClo dllu 81 luIDE--
lows-all ribbons and laces!t She was, how
even a perfect mistress of all the arts OF po-
lite society; she knew exactly what to say
and how to say it, she knew when to smile,
When to look sympathetic, when to sigh.
She was not sincere; she never made the
least prctence OF being SO. Society wal
her one idca-how to please it how to win
its admiration, how to secure q high position
in 1t
The contrast between the two was remark
able-the young girl with her noble face, her
grand soul looking out of her clear dark
eyes; Lady Hampton with her artificial
smiles, her shifting glances, and would-be
charming gestures. Sir Oswald stood by
with a court!y smile on his face.
II have some charming news for you,"
said Lady Hampton. II am sure you will
be pleased to hear it, Miss Darrell"
That will quite depend on what it is like"
intcrposed Pauline, honestly.
you dear, droll child! You are so origi-
nal; you have 50 much character. l always
tell Sir Oswald you are quite different from
any one else"
And though her ladyship spoke smilingly,
she gave q keen, quiet glance at Sir Oswald's
face, in all probability to watch the effect of
her words.
IAu, well, DIG COllllutu, 1 SuplOSc tIlat
in your position a little singularity may be
permitted" and then she paused, with a
bland smile.
40 what position do you alludeg' asked
Miss Darrell.
Lady Hampton laughed again. She nod
ded with an air of great penetration.
"You are cautious, Miss Darrell. But l
am forgetting my news. 1t is this--that my
niece, Miss Elinor Rockford, is coming to
visit me-"
She waited evidently for Miss Darrell to
make some complimentary reply. Not q
word came from the proud lips.
"And when she comes [ hope, Miss Oar
rell, that you and she will be great friends"
ut is rather probable, if 1 like her." was
the frank reply.
Sir Oswald looked Mortified. Lady Hamp-
ton smiled still more sweetly.
You are sure to like her. Elinor is most
dearly loved wherever she goes.'
us she a sweet creature?"' asked Pauline,
with such inimitable mimicry that Miss Hast
ings shuddered, while Sir Oswald turned
pale.
"She is indeed" replied Lady Hampton,
who, if she understood the sarcasm, made no
sign. "With Sir OSwald's permission, 1
shall bring her to spend a long day with you,
Miss Darrell"
81 shall be charmed said Sir Oswald
really delighted, Lady Hampton. You DO
me great honor indeed"
He looked at his niece for some little con-
frmation of his words, but that young lady
appeared too naughty for speech; the word
''honor' seemed to her strangely %misapplied.
Lady Hampton relaxed none of her gga-
ciousness, her bland suavity continued the
same until the end of the visit; and then, in
some way, she contrived to make Miss Hast
tngs understand that she wanted to speak
with her. She asked the governess II she
would go with her to the carriage, as she
wished to consult her about some music:
When they were alone, her air and manner
changed abruptly. She turned eagerly to
her, her eyes full of sharp, keen curiosity.
Can you tell me one thingp" she asked.
us Sir Oswald going TO make that proud,
stupid, ~i!li,erate cir! his REPRESENTATIVES OF
Darrell Court?"
II do not know" replied Miss Hastings.
"liow should be able to answer such a
question:"
"Of course l ask in complementary in
strict confidence; you understand that, Miss
Hastings"
~ understand" was the grave reply.
All the county Is crying shame on him."
e"N ~ WNS ShIp.. n french painters
daughter. He must be mad to think Of such
a thing. a girl brought up in the midst of
Heaven knows what, He never can intend
Ia leave Darrell Court to her."
'He must leave it to some one" said Miss
Hastings; land who has a better right to It
than his own sisters child?"
"Let him marry she suggested, hastily;
slet him marry, and leave 1t to children of
his own. DO you think the comfy will toll
crate such a mistress for Darrell Court-so
blunt, so ignorant! Miss Hastings, he must
marry"
81 can only suppose" replied the govern
ess, that he will please himself, Lady
Hampton, without any reference to the
county,"
CHAPTER vi.
CAPTAIN I.ASaToN.
June, with its roses and lilies, passed on,
the laburnums had all fallen, the lilies had
vanished, and still the state OF affairs at OAR
rell Court remained doubtful. Pauline, in
many Of those respects In which her uncle
would fain have seen her changed. remained
uraltered-indeed 1t was not easy to unlearn
-