Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-01-19

MghC full OF glitter1ng stars and silent
flowers for q background, and filmy lace
curtains partially screening them from
the vulgar gaze, SO that Lady Ennlsford's
jealous glances are scarcely to be mar
veled Mt. ?
She keeps her seat bravcly on her sofa,
however, and replies in a vague, stupid
way to Seymour Fane's soft nothings, the
same as he is in the habit Of addressing
to every woman, be she fair or plain. But
she is so dumbfounded, s%candalized, at
this fragrant display before her very nose,
that she scarcely knows what she is do
ing. In a bewildered maze she stares at
them, as, deliberately crossing the long
drawing room, they 80 through a French
easement on to the moonlit lawn. In q
bewildered maze she sees him tcnderly
wrap the young .Athene form in a white
tleecy cloud, that in the misty light looks
classical enough to suit it. And still more
in Il maze. she marks Lady Aylmer take
his arm and stroll quietly toward the
strawberries.
by and by, just as the clock chimes the
quarter to midnight, Lord Ennisford and
his companion saunter slowly in, and the
two wOmen and four men fall into a sort
of circle.
Lady Ennisford's tongue has lost its
cunning. and she sits, not pale but gray
to her lips, with a broad, dark shadow
undermining her eyes.
L am afraid we are keeping you up"
Sir Seymour says to her, in his soft,
pleasant way, that makes half the women
he speaks to fall in love with him on the
spot. ut is time for all good people to
be in bed"
Yes" she answers, quietly, rising and
standing erect in the midst of the group.
For the first time in her life she looks
positively imperial; her head is thrown
back, her slight figure is drawn up to its
every inch, and her mouth quivcrs with
unmitisated scorn.
Il am tired, and hope you will excuse
me. Good night, Sir Seymour; good
night. Lord Squashington; good night,
MIR. Macduff," and without a glance at
Lady Aylmer she sweeps toward the
door.
But Lord Ennisford loses his temper
and his discretion, so he starts to his
feet. white with rage.
"Frances, you have in your fatigue for
gotten to say good night to Lady Ayl-
mer!!' he cxclaims, trying to control the
trembling of his voice.
Lady Ennisford pauses and faces the
whole of the company with calm. placid.
features.
II see no lady hcrc." she say in a
clear, distinct tone. IF there had been
one. no fatigue would have made me fail
in courtesy to her."
And she is gone.
The whole thing falls like a bombshcll,
and in the bewilderment of If Lady AvI.
mcr PUSHES away, tears of anger and NOR
LITIGATION in her eyes, to contide her cricy.
ance to Miss payne's sleepy ears.
"Flucky thing that of Lady Ennisford,"
Fame says to Macduff, when Lord Ennis.
ford has mysteriously disappeared.
1t is past two O'Clock when Lord Ennis
ford. who has been cooling his heels in
the grounds. chucks the remnant of his
cigar into a belt of laurustinas, and
strides up to his dressing room.
He has no candle. and as he crosses the
room towards the mantclpiece for a
match he trips over something and nearly
loses his balance.
Angry and sore of spirit, he swcars a
little and kicks impatiently at that which
has impeded his way. Then he strikes
a light and looks down.
Starting back, his face blanched and
set. he sees a man lying in u sort of heap
on the floor-his features all distorted
with agony. his yes open and staring.
his hands tightly clenched-the sight nj
together horrible!
1t is Pierre. his French valet. dead.
with a cup and saucer shattered in pieces
| lying beside him!
ITO be c%ontinued.1