Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-09-15
CHAPTER IN.

The fair. sweet spring had come round
again. During the greater part of the
autumn and winter Sir Cyril Vernon and
Austin Chandos had been away from
home; they had been compelled to spend
some few weeks in Wales, where from
Il coal mine in Cingfad came Il p%rinccly
revenue. They found time for writing
frequently to the Manor House, where all
kinds of packages were delivered almost
daily. Lcnore read .Austin's letters aloud,
with laughing comments; she read Cyril's
quietly, without a word. and never mem
toned their contents. Mrs. .Audlcy Won
drrcd which letters she valued the most.
One fair spring morning Miss Elsa
Grey appeared upon the scene: she had
been paying IL round of fashionable visits.
aud had returned to Moulcsmcre for the
spring; she went oNcr to the Manor
House, and the three girls-Lenorc. Gla-
die and hersclf-wcnt out in search of
some lovely. fragrant %violets. Suddenly
ELSA Grey raised her head.
II know You do not like gossip, Miss
.Ardley: but talking of our friends is not
what | cali gossip. Were YOU not much
surprised that Austin Chandos was left
mnnilcss?"
Yes replied Glade. 1--WE all had an
idea that Sir Joycelyn loved MIR. Cham
dos best"
II am glad to hear it," said Miss Grey.
II thought that it served him perfectly
right. | will tell you a secret, if you care
10 hear it. Do NOT look so lofty, Miss
Andley: it is really Il secret worth know
ing. Sir .Joycelyn intended leaving all
his fortune to Austin: he had Il will
drawn out, declaring so. making him his
sole heir. Why do you think he made
another?"
Il cannot tell" replied Lenore. deeply
Interested.
But l can tell you. No one knows but
papa and myself. You must never tell,
either. He was disinherited because he
refused TO marry me. Sir Joycelyn mad,
his marriage with me the condition on
which lie should become his heir. and this
clever poet refused-prefcrrcd bcggary to
me-
The effect of those words on the two
girls was icy different. Gladic's face
flushed. and her eyes grew bright with IL
lurid light: Lcnore looked through the
trees to the f:r-off river. no change on
her face save that the lips were more
tightly closed. .
II do not believe it, said Glade. BRIEF
~.
Miss Grey laughed quite good-tcmper.
eddy.
Sir Joycclyn seemed to feel quite sure
that Cyril would comply with his
Wishes" she said. "In his hurry to
avcngc himself on Austin. Sir Joycclyn
had the new will made and signed. and
lcf, the question until Cyril should re-
turn; but he died suddenly. When Cyril
did return. as you know. he was dead"
What a strange story" said Glade:
iii reads like the page of =. romance"
While 1Hnore thought in her heart that
Austin was q hero.
How many men would have married
her." she thought, 'for the sake of that
vast wealth? He is IL hero. our poet"
n few days after this Austin Chandos
came over to the Manor House; it was the
first ting they had seen him since Elsa
Grey had told her story; and Lenorc was
struck with the expression of happy con.
tent on his face.
He talked for some little time to Mrs.
.Ardlcy, then, turning to Lenore. said:
will YOU come out with me as far as
Barton Woods? have come purposely
to see you. l have something very par
ticular to say to you"
She vas pleased to go: she always en-
joyed talking to Austin; the poetry that
ran through every word, every thought
OF his had a great charm for her. So they
went out into the lovely spring air.
Lcnorc never forgot that walk. The
woods were teeming with. new life. the