The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-02-04

- ANSs' 80 eR -
then, you know" Lady Mildred pursued,
getting into one of her irritable and mali
cious moods-"at least, unless when you
escort Madam up from Roseworthy. She
is in u terrible state OF mind about the
frightful violation of the prophecies which
you constantly perpetrate by your visits
here. Even the presence of her ladyship,
Mildred Moantrevor, your worshipful
cousin, n peeress, and matron to boot, is
scarcely sufficient excuse for your out
raging the C~onUendnccs by visiting that
poor little dying girl in there!''
Her ladyship. Mildred Mountrevof, had
talked herself into a reckless passion by
this time, and, taking all that she said for
terrible earnest, rs Supplemented men
will do at the outpourings Of q woman's
angry tongue, poor Stephen Tredennick
sat pale and stunned beneath this new and
calamitous aspect Of affairs.
oh, Mildred he said, im%ploringly,
what am l to do? II l hnd the right"
He had spoken without needing his
words, but the quick start and involuntary
glance OF his cousins eyes revealed u mean
Ing and a way scarcely suggested as yet by
his own thoughts.
Mildred, will lInyc it, he said, sud
denly, his whole face Frightening and
flushing in the glow of his resolution.
What, Stephens' she asked, softly.
THE right-the best right in the world
Ito take care of her, to stay with her aud
cheer her, and nurse her, my poor little
grill" he said, falteringly, though his eyes
shone with hopeful light. II have a right
the best right In the world; and l will
make it mine before all the world, that
would shut me out Of her presence, and
keep ME away from her, my poor little
suffering WINNER
"Oh, Stephen, my dear Stephen" Lady
Mildred cried, compassion and admiration
struggling for the mastery with her, ut
Is like You! But the sacrifice-oh, Stephen,
the terrible sacrifice of your life!''
Mildred, " he said, in q grave reproof,
what did Winnie Caerlyon think Of her
sacri1ces Would you have her drawer,
truer, more generous than I. e~ven-even,"
he repeated tenderly, "if l did not love
her, II she were not-Heaven bless her
and pity her!-the most faithful love ever
q man had, my poor little Winntesn
Mildred, Lady Mountrevor, being a per-
son fercely opposed to gushing" did not
shed tears or make any pltying cutlery over
poor Stephen Tredennick's mournful love
story, In its past, present, aud future as
poets, bnt she sat very still for a few min
utes, then coughed violently. and said she
must have droppedher handkerchief some
where?"
'"Then-Stephen-you nre-what are you
going to doS" she asked, confusedly, gaz.
ing ut him in the same ha!f-pleased, half
despairing way.
There are not many preliminaries or
ceremonies to arrange for, Mildred" he
answered, sadly smiling, ''only to tell her.
You will, dear cousins"
"Yes-yes.n Lady Mildred said, hurried.
~: but. oh. Stephen, you forgot-Madam
ViyianI'
Lady Mountrevor confessed afterwards
that In all her life long knowledge of her
cousin Stephen, she never saw him assume
the real. hard, immovnble-haughty, iron
willed T'redennick look but once aud that
was in this moment OF his reply to her
startled reminder.
II shall be sorry, Mildred" he said, .it
aunt Vivian attempts any opposition in
this matter-very sorry indeedr' That
was all.
But If aunt Vivian saw thatlook,n Mil
drcd remarked to herself, II don't think
she would attempt II.
CHAPTER xXXII.
There was n small group assembled in
the pleasant little sitting-rooin with its
open %bay-window facing the sen, and the
summer breeze was coming softly in, rust
ling the trailing wreaths of white jessa-
mine dropping from tall vases of white
and crimson roses, and floating the clouds
Of white muslin drapery and their pink
silk Innings and ribbons, looking 80 fresh
and festive, as they had been newly hung
this morning, when the white vases of
crimson ros:s. tho exquisite clusters Of
pink and white a~zaleas, the lilies Of the
valley, and gorgeous crimson, mauve, and
silver ~pelargouinms had been added to the
~adornmentss Of this and the adjoining bed
chamber, and. resting on brackets, peep
ing out from between statuettes, reflect
ing in mirrors. glowing against the white
background of satin paper, with its gold
and maple mOuldings, had transformed
the rooms,w with their gay wealth of beauty,
their dropping silken petals, their velvety
green leaves, and their heaven-dyed, tints
into pleasant summer bowers.
ut looks At for a bridalr' Lady Mildred
said, with genuine womanly satisfaction
In her work.
J%eanneto1, the French nurse, who she
addressed, clasped her hands In a French.
woman's raptures.
"CtelF, she cried-.it looks as II 7ntladt
were q spirit, who had worked one grand
charm over this old c~hateau-betofS u
trtste, z,
WHAT are all the flowers forf Mamma
what are all tie flowers fors" his small
lordship, Eustace Mountrevor, dsmapdsA
in intense curiosity.
He had been allowed for these last few
days TO stay ut Tregsrthen with his moth.
er, after certain strict warnings as Ibis
behavior; and the nnaccustomed in1iher3pe
q her constant pressnee, q swellssasth