Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-07-09
CHAPTER L
LOVE AND

LOVE AND SORROW.
The beautiful golden summer came round,
and Darrell Court looked picturesque and
lovely with its richness of foliage and flush
OF flowers. The great magnolia trees were
all in bloom-the air wa full of their deli
cate, subtle perfume; the chestnnts were i'm
bloom, the lines all In blossom. Sweet sum
mer had scattered her treasures with no Mig
gard hand; and Lady Darrell had lived to
see the earth rejoice once more.
Under the lines, where the shadows OF the
graceful, tremulous, scented leaves fell on
the grass, the lines that We're never still,
but always responding to some half-hidden
whisper Of the wind--stood Pauline Darrell
and her lover, Sir Vane st. Lawrence. They
had met but once siuce their hurried parting
at Omberlelgh. Vane had been to Darrell
Court-for their engagement was no secret
now. They wrote TO each other constantly.
On this fair June day Sir Vane had come
to the Court with news that stirred the
depths of the girls heart as a fierce wind
stirs the ripples on a lake.
AS the sunlight fell through the green
leaves and rested on her, the change II her
was wonderful to see. The beautiful, noble
face had lost all its pride, all its deiiance;
the play of the lips was tremulous, sensitive;
and gentle; the light in the dark eyes was or
love and kindness. Time had added to her
loveliness; the grand, statuesQue figure had
deleloped more perfectly; the graceful atti,
tudes, the unconscious harmony, the indie.
Unable grace and fascination were more ap.
parent than ever. But she no longer carried
her grand beauty as a protest, but made it
rather the crown of a pure and perfect wo-
manhood.
Somethir dimmed the brightness OF her
face, for Sir Vane had come TO her with
strange news and a strange prayer. Ills arm
was clasped round her as they walked under
the lines where lovers footsteps had so Oft
EN- strayed.
Yes, Pauline, ii has come so unexpected
ly at last" spoke Sir Vane. Ever since
Graveton has been in Office, my dear mother
has been unweaiied in asking for IN appoint
ment for me. You know the story Of our
impoverished fortunes, and how anxious my
dear mother is 10 retrieve them"
Her hand seemed to tighten its clasp on
his, as she answered:
Yes, l know"
Nov an opportunity has come. Grave
ton, in answer 10 my mothers continued re-
quests, has found for me q most lucrative
Office; but, alas, my love. it is in India, and 1
must shortly set OFT"
"ln India!' repeats Pauline; "and you
must set out shortly, Nanc? How soon?'
in Il fortnight from now he answered.
ut Is an Office that requires filling up at
once, Pauline. | have come to ask II YOU
will accompany me? VIII you pardon the
short notice, and let me take my wife with
me to that faI-oif landp Do not let me 70
alone into eXile-cOme with M, darling"
The color and light died out of her beauti.
ful face, her lips quivered, and her eyes
grew din as with unshed tears.
II cannot" she replied and there was Il
silence between them that seemed full of
pain.
You cannot, Pauliner' he cried, and the
sadness and disappointment IN his voice
made her lips culver again. "Surely you
will not allow any feminine nonsense about
dress and preparations, any scruple about the
shortness of time, TO come between us? My
mother babe me say that il you will consent
she will busy herself night and day to help
us to prepare. She babe me add her prayer
to mine. Oh, Pauline, why do you say you
cannot accompany mep"
The first Shock had passed for her, and she
raised her noble face to his.
From no nonsense, Vane," she said.
1ou SuOuIu hioW Hc DeliST, utaT, IIldll
that. Nothing can part us but one thing.
Were 1t not for that, l would go with you to
the very end of the world-I would work for
you and with YOU"
"But what is it, Pauline"' he asked
"What is it, my darling?"
She chung TO him more closely still.
" cannot leave her, Vane,-I cannot leave
Lady Darrell. She is dying slowly, hour by
hour, day by day-and | cannot leave her"
'But, my darling Pauline, there are others
beside you to attend to the lady-Lady
Hampton and Miss Hastings. Why should
you give up your life thus"
"WhyP" she repeated. 'You know why,
Vane. 1t Is the only atonement | can offer
her. Heaven knows how gladly, how hap
PLY, | would this moment place my hand In
yours and accompany you; my heart longs
to do so. You are all l have in the world,
and how l love You you know, Vane. But
1t seems to me that 1 owe Lady Darrell this
reparation, and at the price Of my whole
life's happiness / must make it,"
He drew her nearer to him, and kissed the
trembling lips.
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