The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-02-25
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEME.


'SFESS QS5CCIATlOW.
Versation-with quick, flashing smile
she answered when she was spoken to,
but she seldom volunteered a remark.
When she was no, speaking, when her
lace was in repOse, there came over it
an air of dreary languor, of sadness, Of
thought, painful to see in one SO
young.
What can be wrong here?" thought
Lady Courtcaay. There is plenty of
money, they are both young, both
handsome-Saxon beauty and Spanish
why are they not happy ?"-for,
among all other gossip, she had not
heard the fact that Lord Caraven had
married for money and not for love.
1t was pleasant evening. The earl
found out another accomplishment Of
his wife's-she was an almost perfect
musician, she sang like on inspired.
The love, the passion, the tenderness,
that found no vent in her ordinary life
round vent in song. The rich, low
contralto voice was more beautiful
than anything he had ever heard. She
sang like one whose whole soul is
turned to song. She had set to sweet
sad music the poets passionate
words
"'Oh, cruel love'-she changed her
tone
on, cruel love, whose end is scorn!
Is this the end, to be left alone
10 live forgotten, and die forlorn? p"
She sang them with such sweet
pathos. 1t was of herself she was
thinking. Who was more forlorn than
she-who more neglected?
ooh, cruel love, whose end is scorn!"
What charming music" said Lady
Courtenay. Whose is it? I do not
remember to have heard it before, and
I am familiar with most modern songs
whose is it?''
MY own" replied Hildred. when
ever words please me very much, they
always set themselves to music in my
own mind"
The words are SO sad-'To live for
gotten and die forlorn?' How can
they please one so young as you?'
1T is the fate of many" said Hill
dred, slowly.
1T may be, but it will never be yours
you, Countess Of CaraveI, young,
gifted beloved"
There are many ways of dying
said Hildred. 1T is more bitter than
death to some to live without love; yet
many live without it."
"Tou have strange thoughts for one
Of your age. I should have imagined
that dresses and jewels, balls and
dances, would have been in your
thoughts rather than sad ideas of life
and love-" ..... ...
Should you? like balls and dances
very much" said Hildred, trying to
I speak lightly-she had no great desire
to reveal to stranger the secrets of
her life and heart.
you never told me-" said Lord
Caraven to his wife, that you could
sing SO beautifully"
Did I not? Perhaps you never
asked me if could sing at ALL
II do not remember doing so,'' he
said. Have you any more surprises?"
She looked up at him brightly.
you seemed half-horrified when 7
told you that I could speak German, -
she said. II was afraid that you con-
sidered accomplishments something to
be concealed. I shall never tell you of
any of mine"
With a glance, half laughing, half
naughty, she took up the sheet of mu-
sic and crossed the room. Lady
Courtenay looked curiosity into the face
of the earl.
"HaS you never heard your wife
sing, really?" she asked.
mo, I had not. indeed" he replied.
IF I were a man, and had wooed
so sweet a songtress, 1 should have
spent long hours over the piano." she
said. II thought you always liked
music so much"
80 do do But I did not even
know my wife could sing; she makes
no parade of her talent"
NO." said Lady Courtenay to her
self, nor do l think that you have
made any great parade of your love-
But she said no more-the subject was
evidently not pleasing to the earl.