The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-05-28

LSNt 4NSotloiIStAh AioS AAh5LlleSs
Fate will play into my hands when the
time comes" replied Pauline. Nor could
the goyerness extract aught further from
her.
CHAPTER XXX.
FATE AvoRs PAULINE.
Autumn, with its golden grain, its rich
fruits, and its luxuriant foliage, had come
and gone; then Christmas snow lay soft and
white on the ground; and still Captain Lang.
ton had not paid his promised visitto Darrell
Court. He sent numerous cards, letters,
books, and music, but lie did not appear him
self. Once more the spring flowers bloOmed;
Sir Oswald had been lying for twelve months
in the cold, silent fami y vault. With the
year of mourning the last Of Lady Darrell's
gracefully expressed sorrow vanisled-the
last vestige of gray and lavender, of Jet beads
and black trimmings, disappeared from her
dresses; and then she sfone forth upon the
world in NIL the grace and delicate loneliness
of her fair young beauty.
Who could number her lovers or count her
admirers? Old and young, peer and com
moner, there was not one wEc would not
have given anything he had on earth to win
the hand of the beautiful and wealthy young
widow.
Lady Hampton favored the suit of Lord
Aynsley, one of the w~ealthiest peers i'll En-
gland. lie had met Lady Darrell while OIL s
visit at the Elms. and was charmed with her.
So young, fair, gifted, accomplished, so per-
feet a mistress of every art and grace, yet so
good and amiablc-Lord Aynsley thought
that he had never met with SO perfect Il We
man before.
Lady Hampton was delighted.
II think, Elinor," she said, that you are one
Of the most fortunate of women. You have
a chance now Of making a second and most
brilliant marriage. think you must have
been born under n lucky star"
Lady Darrell laughed her soft, graceful
little laugh.
81 think, %auntic,' she returned, ."tlat, rs l
married the first time to picaSe you, l may
marry low to please myself and my own
heart"
Certainly" said her ladysllip, obviously;
but remember what l have always told you
sentiment is the ruin of everything"
And, as Lady Hampton spoke, there came
before her the handsome face of Aubrey
Langton. She prayed mentally that lie
might not appear again at Darrell until Lord
Aynsley had proposed and had been ac-
copied.
But Fate was not kind to her.
The next morning Lady Darrell received a
letter from the captain, saying that, rs the
summer was drawing near, he should DO very
glad to pay his long promised visit to Darrell
Court. He hoped to be with them on Thurs
day evening.
Lady Darrell's fair face flushed as she
read. lie was coming, then, this man who
above all Others had taken her fancy captive
this man whom, with all her worldly schem-
inc, she would have married without money
if he had but asked her. lie was coming,
and he would see her iii all the glory of her
prosperity. He would be almost sure to fall
in love with her; and she-well, 1t was not
the first time that she whispered to her own
heart, how gladly she would love him. She
was too excited by her pleasant news to be
quite prudent. She must have q c%oniidant-
she must tell some one that he was coming.
She went to the study, where Miss Hast
ings and Pauline were busily engaged with
some water colors. She held the open letter
In her hand.
Miss Hastings, l have news for YOU" she
said. II know that all that interested Sir
Oswald is full of interest for you. Pauline,
you too will be pleased to hear that Captain
Langton Is coming. Sir Oswald loved him
EHH
very much"
Pauline knew that and lad cause to regret
it.
II should be much pleased" continued
Lady Darrell, "if, without interfering with
your arrangements, you could help me to en-
terrain him."
Miss Hastings looked up with a smile of
assent.
Anything that lies in my power" she
said,"I shall be only too happy to DO; but l
fear / shall be rather at a loss how to amuse
q handsome yonngsotlcer like Captain Lang
ton. II
Lady DstIslLl .lauggllcd, but looked much
pleased. ssYs4sss
You are right, size s,ta.-she IS fiaiia.
some. do not know that I have cyar seen
one more handsome"
Then she stopped abruptly, for size caught
the CLEAN of Pauline's scornful smile--the
dark eyes were looking s%traightat ller. Lady
Darrell blusl,el crimson, and tho smile on
Panline's lips dcepeued.
Il see my way now" she said to herself.
Time, fate, and opportunity will combine
at last"
And yor, Pauline inquired Lady Oar
rclIi In lier most c,,ressing mnnner-'you will
help me with my visitor-will you not,"
Pardon me, must Decline" answered
Miss Darrell.
why, 1 thought Captain Langton and
yourself were great friendsv' cried Lady
Darrell.
Il am not answerable for your thoughts,
Lady Darrell" said Pauline.
"But you-yon sling so beauttfullyl Oh.
Pauline, sou must help inc! =, nersisted adv
Darrell.
She drew nearer 70 the girl ond was obont
to lay one white iewcled hand on her arm
but Pauline drew bnck viii, n naughty gest,
ure that was no mistak.ng.
"Pray understand me. Lady Darrell, y she
said-s;all arts and rnrsuasions nra no rnu
know, lost on me. decline in ,lo onrthina
to,y,r I'd on,or,,I,,;n !, ,,,,;... a,aSS
avoid him rs much ns nossihle1 e'' 'l"''
Lady Darrell locked I'm, her face na,c md
with a frightened look mon Il = ~ 49,