The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-04-30
CHAPTER xxi.
NO co.,pro,,,sr w,ru mi

L .N" SoNtA IF
1t was evident to Miss Hastings that Sir
ing his bride home. He had, In spite of him
self, been somewhat impressed by his niece's
behavior. She gave no sign OF disappointed
greed or ambition, but she bore herself like
one who has been unjustly deprived of her
rights.
On the night of the arrival every possible
preparation had been made for receiving the
baronet and his wife. The servants, under
the direction of Mr. F%rampton, the butler,
were drawn up in stately array. The bells
from the old Norman church of Audleigl,
Royal pealed ont q triumphant welcome:
flags and triulnphaI arches adorned the road.
way. The Court was looking its brightest
and best; the grand old service of golden
plate, from which in olden times, kings, and
queens had dlned, was displayed. Tho ooms
were made bright with flowers md warn,
with fires. 1t was a proud coming home FOR
Lady Darrell, who had never known whats
home was before. Her delicate face flushed
as her eyes fingered on the splcndor around
her. She could not repress the slight feeling
of triumph which made her heart beat and
her pulse thrill as she remembered that this
was all her own.
She bowed right and left, with the calm,
suave smile that never deserted her. AS she
passed through the long file of servants She
tried her best to be most gracious and win
ming; but, despite her delicate, grave, and
youthful loneliness, they looked from her to
the tall. quecnly girl whose proud head was
never bent, and whose dark. eyes had In
them no light OF welcome. 1t might be bet
ter to bow to the rising sun, but many Of
tOnIk n1.afrVYn6 film e,,n that .,,oa ea%t;n. E--A
Sir Oswald led Ills youn. wife proudly
through the OTTER rooms into the drawing
room.
WELCOME home, my dear Elinorr' he
said. MAY every moment you spend in
Darrell Court be full of liappiness!"
She Thanked him. Pauline stood by, not
glance at Lady Darrell, which seemed to
take in every detail Of her costume, and to
read every thought OF her mind, She turned
carclessly away.
Lady Darrell sat down near the fire, while
Sir Oswald, with tender solicitude, took off
her traveling-cloak, his hands trembling with
eagerness.
You will like to rest for a few minutes
before you go to your rooms, Elinor," he
said.
Then Miss Hastings went up to them, and
some general conversation about travelling
ensued. That seemed to break tie ice. Lady
Darrell related one or two little incidents OF
their journey, and then Sir Oswald suggested
that she should go to her apartments, as the
dinncr-bell would ring in half an hour. Lady
Darrell went away, and Sir Oswald soon aft
erward followed.
Pauline had turned to one OF the large
cfnn6v pf HnX,,a,.,a o,,l ,,,o, t,,,.,t,, or-,.~oJe;. l.,
taking the dying leaves from a beautiful
plant bearing gorgeous crimson flowers.
Pauline" said tho goycrness, my dear
cliildH,
She was startled. She expected to find the
glrl looking sullen, angry, passionate; but
tile Splendid face was only lighted by CLEAN
OF intense scorn, the dark eyes flashing fire,
the ruby lips curling and quivcring with dis
dam. Pauline threw back her head with the
old significant movement.
Miss Hastings" she said, II would not
have sold myself as that girl has done for all
the money and the highest rank in England
My dear Pauline, you must not, really,
speak in that fashion. Lady Darrell un-
doubtcdly loves her husband.'
The look of scorn deepenetl.
"iOu know she does not. She is lust
twenty, and he Is nearly sixty. What love
what sympathy can there be between them?,
Ut is not really our business, my dear; we
will not discuss it,
Certainly not; but rs you are always SO
hard upon what you call my world-the Boz
henian world, where men and women speak
the trlth-it amuses me to find flaws in
yours"
Miss Hastings looked troubled; but she
knew 1t was better for the passionate torrent
OF words to be poured out to her. Pauline
looked at her with that straight, clear, open,
honest look before which all afTectatiOn fell.
q tell me, Mss Hastings, that / am de
fcient in good-breeding--that I cannot take
my prnpsr place in your wnrid because do