The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-02-18

| A1B$S|N7R Charles and Lady
IE3KI Courtenay live at
some little dis
tance-they will not arrive until late"
DO you mean,' she said, that am
to arrange for your guests-for their
wants and comfort?'
What terribly straightforward ques-
IONS you ask he replied, laughing.
You are sole mistress of the house
you must give all orders in it,
| have not yet learned to think of
myself yet as mistress of this house,
she re]olned, with proud composure.
Then l must ask you to begin" he
sara. You are indeed sole mistress of
thls house; every one in it is bound to
obey you-whatever you direct is to
be DONE"
| But returned Hildred, yesterday,
when l went into the housekeeper's
room, she did not seem inclined to
submit to my authority at all. She
SAID that her keys were mislaid when
l wanted to look over the linen-press
FANCY that she thinks l am rather too
young to hold much authority"
Il will soon settle that matter" said
the earl.
He rang the bell, and in answer to
MS summons a servant came. He
sent for the housekeeper. who looked
slightly troubled at the unexpected call.
Mrs. Hampton" said the earl, stern
~, l have sent for you to say that
every order given by Lady Caraven is
TO be attended to instantly-that she is
to be obeyed implicitly as am obeyed
myself-that the least show of disre-
spect or disobedience will be punished
by immediate dismissal. You will see
that my commands are carried OUT
Il VIII do SO, my lord"
You will go for the future to Lady
Caraven for all your orders-you will
take them only from her."
Thank you, my lord" said the
housekeeper, retiring with a sense OF
relief.
Mildred turned to her husband.
And l thank you, too," she said,
calmly. Il should not have spoken but
That l saw there was a disposition in
the house to ignore my authority
knew that you would not like that"
Certainly not-you have done quite
right, he told her-and a sudden
sense OF her cruel position came over
him. Was it likely that the servants
would show much respect to one who
they could plainly see was an unloved
| wife?
He quilted the breakfast-room not
| quite satisfied with himself, and not
satisfied with her
Marriage is a mistake at the best
OF times he said, but marriage for
money is the greatest mistake of ALL"
Exenlng came and brought the ex-
pected guests-Sir Charles Courtenay.
a young baronet who had but one idea,
and that was love for his wife, Lady
Alice Courtenay, who was pretty, live
ly and accomplished. Hildred liked her
at once. Her face was sunny and fair,
and laughing eyes and sweet lips
! made her a very attractive picture.
Hildred looked at her with something
like envy. She was charmingly
dressed, and had bright expression
of countenance.
That evening when Lady Caraven
was dressing for dinner, her faithful
maid could hardly be satisfied; she
brought out jewels, flowers, ornaments
of all kinds.
DO wear them, my lady" she said !;
'if you would but let me help you more
in your toilets! Lady Courtenay is so
beautifully dressed, do not let her have
all the admiration"
The girl had grown so sorry for her
young mistress that she sometimes
ventured to speak Familiarity to her.
Hildred sat listlessly before the toilet
table; neither jewels, flowers, nor
dresses had the least interest for her.
Il think it very probable that all the
admiration will fall to her lot whether
1 take pains with my dress or not"
she said, musingly.
"My lady" returned the cir, earnest
ly, you do not know how beautiful
you are-you do not indeed. If you
but take some little interest-you have
a lovely figure and BEAUTIFUL hair-if
you would but care little more!"
Lady Caraven laughed good-natured.
ly; the girls admiration was so sim
| cere that she could not be angry.
(To be continued)