Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-04-30
CHAPTER XXI.

FULFILLING THE CONTRACT.
The preparations for the wedding went on
with great activity; the rooms prepared for
the bride were a marvel Of luxury and beau
ty. There was q bOudoir with rose-Silk and
white-lace hangings, adorned with most ex-
quisite pictures and statues, with rarest flow
cTS and most beautiful ornaments-a little
fairy nook, over which every one went into
raptures except Pauline; she never mention
ed them nor showed the least interest in
them. She went on in her cold, proud, self
contained manner, hiding many thoughts in
Ter heart.
Miss Hastings she said one morning,
"you can do me q favor. Sir Oswald has
been saying that we must call at the Elms to
see Lady Hampton and Miss ROCKFORD. l
should refuse, but that the request exactly
suits my plans. ] wish to see Miss Roche
ford; WI will drive over this afternoon. Will
you engage Lady Hampton in conversation
while l talk TO her niece?"
II will do anything you wish, Pauline"
returned Miss Hastings; ''but, my dear child,
be prudent. | am frightened for yOu-be
prudent. 1t will be worse than useless for
you TO make an enemy OF the future Lady
Darrell. | would do anything to help you,
anything to shield you from sorrow or harm,
but l am frightened on your account"
CaresseS and demonstrations of affection
were very rare with Pauline; but now she
bent down with a softened face and kissed
the anxious brow.
you are very good to me" she said.
you are the only one in the wide world
who cares for me-"
And with the words there came to her such
a sense Of loneliness and deSolation as no
language could describe. OF what use had
been her beauty, of which her poor father
had been so ~prOud--of what avail the genius
with which she was so richly lowered?
= No one loved her. The only creature liy-
ing who seemed TO enter into either her Joys
or her sorrows was the kind-hearted, gentle
governeSs.
You must let me have my own way this
time, Miss Hastings. One popularity of the
Darrells is that they must say what is on their
minds. l Intend to do so now; it rests with
you whether l do it in peace OF not"
After that Miss Hastings knew all further
remonstrance was useless. She made such
arrangements as Pauline wished, and that
afternoon they drove over to the Elms. Lady
Hampton received them very kindly; the
great end and aim of her life was accomplish
~ 'NA y "uo W w iLuNJ buAiNit va
Darrell Court. There was no need for any
more envy or jealousy of Pauline. The girl
who had so lately been a dangerous rival
and an enemy to be dreaded had suddenly
sunk into complete insignifcance. Lady
Hampton even thought 1t better to be gra-
cious, conciliatory, and kind; as Ellnor had
to live with Miss Darrell, il was useless to
make things disagreeable.
So Lady Hampton received them kindly.
Fruit from the Court hothouses and flowers
from the Court Conservatives were on the
table. Lady Hampton insisted that Miss
Hastings should join her in her afternoon
tea, while Pauline, speaking with naughty
grace, expressed q desire to see the Elms gar
den.
lady Hampton was not sorry 10 have an
hours gossip with Miss Hastings, and she
desired Elinor 10 show Miss Darrell all their
choicest flowers.
.Elinor looked halt-ir'0btened at the task.