Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-05-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.
WAITING FOR REyENGE.
There was q slight. OILY a very slight diff
ference OF opinion between Lady Darrell
and her aunt after the reading OF the will.
Lady Hampton would fam have given up the
Elms, and have gone To live At Darrell Court.
"Sir Oswald's will is a very just one" she
said, admirable in every respect; but ! should
never dream, were | in your place, Elinor, of
keeping that proud girl here. Let her 60. /
will come and live with you. | shall make n
better chaperon than that poor, faded Miss
Hastings"
But Lady Darrell was eager to taste the
sweets of power, and she knew how COM
pletely her aunt would take every vestige OF
1t from her.
She declared her intention to adhere most
strictly to the terms Of the will.
And, aunt" she continued, with firmness
quite new 10 her, lit would be so much bet
ter, / think, for you to keep at the Fins.
People might make strange remarks If you
ZANE here 10 live with me-"
Lady Hampton was shrewd enough to see
that she must abide by her niece's decision.
The Captain was to remain only two days
at Darrell Court, and Lady Darrell was anX-
ious TO spend some little time with him.
II ike the Captain, aunt" she said; 'he
amuses me-"
Lady Hampton remembered how she had
spoken of him before, and il was not her in
tention that her besutiful niece should fling
away herself and her magnificent fortune on
Aubrey Langton.
she Is sure TO marry again" thought the
lady: ''and, lowered as she Is, she ought 10
marry a duke, at least
She represented 70 her that il was hardly
etiquette for her, a widow 10 young, and her
loss being so recent to entertain a handsome
young officer.
II do not see that the fact Of his being
handsome makes any difference, aunt" said
Lady Darrell still, If yon think | must re-
main shut up In my room while the captain
is here. of course, | will remain so, though
il seems very hard"
appearances are everything observed
Lady Hampton, sagely; "and you annot be
too careful at first
Does he seem TO pay Pauline any atten-
tionpi asked the young widow. eagerly.
Il have never heard them exchange more
than a few words-indeed the circumstance
has puzzled me, Elinor. | have seen him
IOoh a I uSl 10 AhouEL uC N'I5hApCN liCA anu
as though he hated her. A for Miss Oar
rel, she seems to treat him viii contemptu-
Gus indifference"
Il used to think he liked her." said Lady
Darrell, musingly.
"He liked the future heiress of Darrell
Court" rejoined Lady Hampton. "Al his
love has gone with her prospects, you may
rely upon it,"
Lady Darrell, brought M in a school that
would sacrifice even life itself for the sake
OF appearances, knew tfi5r5 ~as no help for
her enforced retirement. She remained in
her rooms until the young officer had left
the Court.
Lady Hampton was not the only one who
felt puzzled at Pauline's behavior 10 the cap
tain, Miss Hastings, who understood her
pupil perhaps better than any one, was puz-
zled. There was somewhat Of a calm, unut-
terable contempt in her manner OF treating
him. He could not provoke her; no matter
what he said, she woasd not be provoked IN
to retort. She never appeared to remember
his existence; no one could have been more
completely ignored; and Captain Langton
himself was but too cognizant Of the fact. IL
he could have but piqued or aroused her,
have stung her into some exhibition Of feel
ing, he would have been content; but no
statue could AVE been colder, no queen
prouder. IL any little attention was required
at her hands she paid il, but there was no
denying the fact that il was rendered in such
q manner that the omission would have been
preferable.
On the evening of his departure Lady
Hampton went down to wish him farewell;
she conveyed to him Lady Darrells regret
at not being able 10 do the same.
Il am very sorry" said the captain;
though, OF course, under the circumstances,
l could hardly hope for the pleasure of see
ing Lady Darrell. Perhaps you will tell her
that in the autumn, with her permission, |
shall hope to revisit the Court"
Lady Hampton said ~ herself that she
should take no such message. The dearest
wish of her heart was that the gallant cap
tain should never be seen there again. But
she made some gracious reply, and then ask
ed, suddenly:
"Have you seen Miss Darrell? Have you
said good-by to herr
Aubrey Langton looked slightly confused.
II have not seen her today he replied.
Lady Hampton smiled very g~raciously.
Il will send for her she said; and when.
In answer to her summons, O servant enter
ed, she asked that Miss Darrell might be ne
quested to favor her with her presence in the
library. 1t did not escape her keen observa- |
ton that Captain Langton would rather
have avoided the interview.
Pauline entered with the naughty grace
so natural to her; her proud eyes never once
glanced at the captain; he was no more 10
her than the very furniture In the room.
"You wished to see me, Lady Hampton"
she said, CURLY.
"les-that Is, Captain Langton wishes to
say good-by to you; ne is leaving Darrell
Court this morning."
There was the least possible curl of the
short upper lip. Lady Hampton happened
to catch the glance bestowed upon Pauline
by their visitor. For q moment Ii startled
revealed at once such hopeless pas
love and such strong passionate hate.
Pauline made no reply; the queenly young
figure was drawn up to its full height, the
thoughtful face was full OF scon. The cap
concealed his embarrassment as he best
and went up to her with outstretched
hands.
''Good-by, Miss Darrell" he said; .this
las, been q very sad time for you, and l deep
y sympathize with you. l hope to see you
gain In the autumn, looking better-more
Ike yourself"
Lady Hampton was wont to declare that
he scene was one Of the finest she had ever