The Red Cloud chief., 1900-11-09

baF-os Lazy Jane ~leDpietO1 sat
tapping her feet restlessly on the floor.
her dark-blue eyes flashing and spar
king as again and again she read over
a closely written letter spread out
upon her lap.
Good nevs-the best OF all news
had come that day to the old home Of
the Templetons. The long. weary
years OF grinding poverty ~ere at an
end More. the utter ruin that threat
ened Temple-Dene was averted ones
and for all Little wonder. then. that
Lady James eyes danced. and her
mouth tritched with unzccustomed
smiles.
Il must tell somebody" she went
on agftAteily. And she stretched out
her hand to the bell handle.
Send Miss Leila 10 me, Somes,"
she looked round To say 20 the ,ootnan
who answered the summons.
While Lady Jane waited a slightly
anxious pueker came into her brow
There's bound 20 be a shadow behind
each human Joy. however bright. and
IL would be q difficult task for her TO
tell the good news to the somebody
whom she had summoned.
II was a cherries. cold December
day-the first OF the month. From the
distant belt Of the Ternple-Dene woods
a faint mist was rising.
Could the blue skies and the warm
sun ever have laughed down on a
world so dun and sodden, Would
they ever again break through the
gray pail OF sadness?
A slim figure OF a girl. with hurt.
beTildered eyes and a dropping mouth
was moving lstlessly along the corri-
dor in obedience 10 the foo,man's
message and in Leila Desmond's eyes
the gray day seemed 10 1T in with
her ~ "sorrov-shot" heart. She
almost hoped IL would be always like
this nov-dull and dun. ~lifeless and
loyeless.
You sent for me. aunty7"
She parted the heavy. faded blue
plush portiere between the south and
the east drawing rooms, aud looked
straight at Lady Jane.
oh. Leila. yes," Her ladyship
started and she spoke ~neryously.
Quick, How slowly you move. child.
Come and sit here by ne" She patted
the blue-satin couch on which she
sank.
Everything about and around the
mistress OF Temple Dene vas blue
pale blue-for Lady Jane had been a
blonde beauty OF the fairest order In
her paimy youth.
Time had faded the hangings and
satin coverings. the frilled cushions
and the hue OF her own once rich
robe, for Lady Jane Templeton was a
mLssrably poor woman Evil days
had come upon her and her belongings.
but they had not quenched the proud
woman's spirit g they had that Of
her husband. Francis Templeton. the
dreary. broken man. who sat all his
days In the library, a victim 10 a form
OF melancholy.
The masterful spirit OF the woman
had neve rested. seeking a way out or
the dark cloud that shrouded Temple
Dene. All her hopes Of ~deiiverance
from sheer ruin were placed in Ger
Wis. the heir and only child she and
Francis Templeton ever had.
BY day and night she had spent her
energies In rousing Geryis TO the res
u OF his family.
So the words that had trembled on
the lips OF Geryis Templeton day after
day were unspoken after all. From
boyhood his heart had been filled with
one image-thst OF the girl. Leila Des-
mond, his mothers eldest niece. They
were o~rphans-Leila and SybiI--
daughters OF Lady James passionately
loved younger brother. When he died
his sister gathered the desolate chill
dren. motherless as well as fatherless.
into her home. bringing them I'D and
educating them.
But the instant the mother reooz-
niIed that the girl, Leila. had grown 10
be the one woman In the world for her
the springs OF love for her broth
sr's orphan froze up. She almost hated
Leila, even after she had gained her
point and separated the two lovers.
But 1t was Lady James hour OF tri-
~mph, and she could today at least
Afford to be gracious.
Come, my dear Leila" she repeat
cd. Il have n~ews--great n~ews-from
my boy"
A shock OF fear ran through the
girl. who had crept slowly up to the
faded blue couch.
Lady Jane. busily engaged adjusting
her eye glasses and spreading out the
foreign letter on her lap. did not OBJ
serve blanching cheeks and trembling
lip.
II have heard from Geryis. A won
derfui thing has happened. Leila. You
will be astonished. Ny boy is engaged.
He has met a sweet girl In San Fran
CISCO great h~eiress; ~and-and-
we'll, ! suppose they are actually mar
ried, for the wedding was fixed for