The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-28

under the painting OF her father in full
uniform that hung over the mantel-
piece. 1t would have been removed
long ago but that it had cost some
hundreds of pounds, and, Mr.. Barlowe
secretly thought, added distinction to
the room.
A hot wave of Indignation and
wounded pride swept over Mollie.
What business had these people at
Chalfont using everything as their
own, while she herself was hut a guest;
and 1t was a very frigid aLl naughty
bow that she gave in the direction Of
Monsieur Henri Dubois when his moth
er introduced him.
What am I to call your" exclaimed
madame playfully. rs it to be cous-
ins?" +
Certainly not, madame" she broke
in quickly, with a polite smile. II am
a L'Estrange, and the only relation |
have in my fathers house is my half
sister Kate" And her tone clearly
implied that no other would be al
lowed.
The elder woman's face darkened
visibly; but before she could speak
Henri said. with a graceful, sweeping
bow:
"Mademoiselle is cruel; but l trust
in time to win and deserve her friend
ship"
With some murmured words Of as
sent. Mollie sank into her seat, and dur
ing luncheon took al complete a sur
vey Of the young man as the fact that
he was covertly trying to do the same
thing of her would allow. Small, slight,
dapper, with sharp, well-cut features, a
sallow complexion, and quick, black
eyes, he was indeed a contrast to the
young officer who already held a large
place in her heart.
A thorough Frenchman was Henri
Dubois, both in thought and appear
ance, though his English was very
good; and as he sat at the foot of the
table caressing his small, black mus
tache and ~endeavoring to make himself
agreeable, Mollie privately came to the
conclusion that she disliked and dis
trusted him only a little less than she
did his mother, and that might only be
because she did not know him 30
well. Indeed his high voice and cynical
air contrasted badly with Reggie An
struther's hearty tones and easy, we'll
bred manner, though it vas plain that
his mother thought him perfect, and
rarely took her eyes from his face.
Where nave you been this morning,
Mollie?" she demanded at length, when
there came a break in the converse
ton.
"She has been for a country walk
with Mr.. Anstruther. l saw her" broke
in Rates little voice. maliciously
And she would not take me-
Did a swift glance of meaning pass,
between mother and son? Mollie could
not be quite sure. for this unprovoked
attack was disconcerting enough to-
make her blush furiously. 1t was very
annoying, and madame's eyes were
turned upon her crimson visage with
unmerciful scrutiny.
Kate knows why / would not take
her." she said, breaking the pause with
a somewhat naughty ring in her young
voice.
But this Mr.. Anstruther-' began
madame coldly.
81 met him when ! was going to
gather moss, and he accompanied me-,
rather d%efiantly.
Madame's lips went into the thin
line that gave such a very unpleasant
expression to her face, and Mollie con-
tinued her luncheon with but a hazy
notion of what was on her plate, and
a vague, uncomfortable presentiment
that picking moss in the bright sun
shine with Reggie for a companion
would not be allowed to occur again.
Two or three times already, when her
opinion had not agreed with madame's,
she had been obliged to yield, and as
the scene of the fragrant earthly moss,
the Pickering light through the bud
ding branches in the shady lane, and
Reggie's laughing brown face rose be-
fore her. SO also did a feeling of her
own helplessness in Madame Dubois
strong, shapely hands.
Ito be Continued.)