Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-06-04
CHAPTER XXXII.
u>D MY


II was a warm. beautiful morning. with a
dull haze lying over the fair summer earth.
and Pauline Darrell. finding even the large,
airy rooms too wauu, went out to seek her
fayOrite shade-the shelter Of the great cedar
tree. As she sat with Der book in her hand
o which she never turned a page-MlSs
Hastings watched her wondering at the dark
shadow that had fallen over her beauty.
wondering at the concentration OF thought
In her face. wondering whether this shadow
Of disappointment would darken all her life
or II IT would pass away, wondering IL the
vengeance 10 which she had vowed herself
was planned yet; and 10 them. 50 silent and
absorbed, came the pretty, bright vision ~
Lady Darrell. wearing a white morning dress
with blue ribbons in her golden hair. The
brightness and freshness of the morning
seemed to linger on her fair face, as she drew
near them with a smile on her lips. and a
look of half-proud shyness in her eyes.
Il I'M glad you are both here she said;
II have something 10 tell You The blush
and the smile ~deepened. perhaps yoI can
guess what il is. Miss Hastings, yDu are
smiling-Pauline, you do not look at me.
Captain Langton has asked me 10 be his wife,
and | have consented"
Then she paused. Miss Hastings coBgratu-
lated her, and wished her much happiness.
Pauline started at first, clasplng her hands
while her face grew white, and then She re-
covered herself and kept perfect silence.
Pauline said Lady Darrell, Il am very
happy; do not shadow my happiness. VIII
you not wish me joy
II cannot" replied the girl, in trembling
voice; ''you will have no joy
Then, seeing Lady Darrells wondering
face, she seemed 20 recover herself more
completely.
Il will wish you,' she said, bitterly, "as
much happiness as you deserve"
That would be but little returned Lady
Darrell, with a faint laugh Il do not hold
myself a particularly deserving person.
Then Miss Hastings, thinking they might
come tn a better understanding alone, went
away, leaving them together.
Lady Darrell went up 10 the girl. She laid
her hands on her arm appealingly, and raised
her face with a pleading expression.
Pauline" she said, her lips trembling
with emotion, after all, | was your uncle's
wife; for his sake you might show me a lit
tie kindness. Marriage is a tic for life, not
a bond for one day. On, Pauline, Pauline,
IL there Is any reason why / should not mar
ry Aubrey Langton, tell it-for Heavens
sake, tell II! Your manner is always so
strange To him; If you know anything against
him, tell me now before il is too late tell
mer'
There fell over them a profound silence.
broken only by the sweet CHEEKY music of a
bird singing in the cedar tree, and the faint
signing of The wind among the leaves.
Tell me, for Heavens sake" repeated
Lady Darrell, her grasp tightening OF Pau
lines arm.
Il have nothing to tell, was the curt reply,
Pray do not hold my arm so tightly, Lady
Darrell; | have nothing TO tell"
do not deceive me-there must be some
reason for your strange manner. Tell it 10
me now; before II Is too late"
There was almost an agony OF pleading in
her face and voice, but Pauline turned reso-
lutely away, leaving her beneath the cedar
alone.
Il must be mistaken" l0dy Darrell
thought. what can she kt, of him? l
must be wrong TO doubt him; surely if 1
doaS. him I shall doubt Heaven itself. 1t IS
her manner-her awkward manncr-notiing
more"
And she tried her best 10 dismiss all
thoughts of Pauline from her mind, and give
herself to her newly found happiness.
Pauline said Miss Hastings. souowful-
~, when she rel med the girl. Il cannot UNI
derstand YOU"
Il do not quite understand myself" re-
turned Miss Darrell. Il did not think | had
any weakness OF Pity In my heart, hut | find
it Is there
~ on brighten me-" said Miss Hastings.
"What makes you so strange? q, Pauline,
throw il OF, this black shadow that enyel-
opes you. and forget this idea OF vengeance
which has so completely changed your
She looked up with a smile-a hard, bitter
smile.
II shall have had my revenge she said,
gloomily, "when She has married him.
nor could any entTeaties. any prayers OF
the kindhearted ma move her TO say
more.
Whether the MYSTERIOUS and uncertain as
pect OF things prcyed upon Miss Hastings
mind, whether she grieyed over her pupil
and allowed that grief TO disturb her. was
never revealed, but In the month OF August
she became seriously kll-not enough to be
obliged 10 keep her room, but her health and
her strength failed her. and day by day she
became weaker and less able to make any
exertion.
Lady Darrell sent for Doctor Helmstone,
and he advised Miss Hastings To 10 to the
seaside at once, and to remain there during
the autumn At her earnest request Pauline
consented to accompany her.
The change will do you good as well as
myself" said the anxious lady; and Miss
Darrell saw that she was thinking how much
better It would be that she should leave BAR
reil Cours
II viii co. she said. Il know what you