Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-02-24
and. try how she mag, she cannot hear the

and, try how she may, she cannot hear the
longed-for words!
In h great drawing room the ladies
all settle themselves down in various at
titudes of comfort, ease and nonchalancc.
Yolandc has coffee brought in; and then
the staid butler and a pretty housemaid
are directed to clear the lower half of the
room for the prospective dance.
Presently a few arrivals drop in-thrcc
or four young men. a couple of pretty girls,
ncighbors of the Mervyns, and much given
to social gatherings of this description.
Yolande is.specdily surrounded. When
the gentlemen enter from the dining room
she is the center of n little court; and a
dark frown rests on Mr.. Charteris' brow
as he notes the devoted attentions and ar
dent glances of her special admirer, Lance
Stapleton. Now comes Yolande's long
looked-for opportunity.
"If he thinks that Odious thing has made
the slightest impression upon me-, he shalt
see his mistake" she says, and forthwith
gives such smiles, and looks, and atten>
lions to her devoted swains as might in
deed have turned the heads and bewilder-
ed the brains of far less susceptible
youths than the elite of Ashbourne.
While threading the intricacies of the
'grand chain" Yolandc and Denzil meet,
and their fingers touch; ~involuntarily his
hand clasps her own more closely and
warmly than is needful.
She snatcles it away, and flashes such
a look of burning indignation upon the Of
fender as might well have punished a
gravcr offensc. When next they meet,
she offers only one finger for his touch. He
notes the change, and, with u cool, proud
bow, declines the proffercd favor.
When the dance is over Yolande is
speedily bcsought for others, and with
true feminine arrogance laughs and leases
her little court. But Denzil Charters new
CIR once approaches, nor seeks to claim n
waltz out of the many that follow. 1t is
true he dances with no one else, if that is
any consolidation, but poor, proud, hurt
Yolande is conscious that this evening is
the most miserable one her glad young life
has yet known.
The elderly ladies remark that it is very
late and the young ones are beginning to
be shawled and clOakcd by attendant cav
alters. A chorus of good-bys and kisses
rcsounds. Yolandc is conscious of prom
Using to meet and walk with three differ
cnt individuals at the same time on the
morrow. and knows in her own heart that
she has no intention of meeting any. Then
she watches them dcfile away down the
long avenue, cxclaiming OH the wonder
full mildness and beauty of the night.
Her fcvercd pulse grows calm, her heart
throbs less fitfully and painfully. n great
peace and sOftness come over her. and
her eyes lose the hard, passionate glitter
they have hitherto held.
Miss Mcrvyn!" a voice suddenly says,
in close proximity to herself.
Yolandc starts and cries out in faint
alarm.
Don't be frightened; it is only L." and
glancing up she sees Denzil Charteris be-
side her.
Have YOU come for a moonlight walk:"
he asks.
At sight of his face, at sound of his
| voitc, all the hardness and GOODNESS come
back to Yolandc. She draws her slight
| figure up to it's full height, her eyes look
| straight before her.
YES" she says. curtly.
ut is 81 beautiful night. wonderfully
mild for this time of the year." resume
her companion.
II suppose So"
"You enjoyed yourself very much to-
night. l suppose you think there is moth
ing SO delightful as dancing!
"Ycs: l think there are many other
things I like as wcll,'' returns Yolande.
FLIRTING, l supposed"
solitude, when 1 have a disagrccablc
c~olnpanion," she rctorts.
II beg your pardon" he says. haughtily.
81 suppOse / am to take that as a hint.
| Unfol tunately, Our paths lie tcsctiac: IL
you are going to the lodge gates, as seems
to be your intention"
Don't be SO ridiculous" answers the
girl. Il WONDER" she continues rapidly,
as she looks up at the dark, gloomy face
beside her-'Iwonder, Mi. Charters, why
you and l always disagrcey'
II am s%ingularly unfortunate" he says,
with chill %politcness. II suppose you new
cr quarrel with other peoples"
"Ncvcr!" affirms Yolandc heartily. 81
hate quarreling."
ITO be c%ontinucd.)