The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-10-31
BYcHARLOT7E M.BRAEnE.


evening OF the ball bright moon was
shining in a clear sky, and the wind
was sweet as in summer. i. There HAD
been royal entertainments at Ravens
mere, but none had ever beer on a
grander or more magnificent scale than
this ball, All that flowers, lights and
superb decorations could effect was eff
fected. There was tier after tier of
brilliant bloom: the light Of, a .thous-
and tapers made a brightness greater
than that of day; tiny-scented fonnt-
aims rippled amongst the flowers 1t
was a superb spectacle; and of that
magnificent fete there were two
queens.
At the opening Of the ball they stood
for few moments side by side; and
then opinion varied as to which was
the more beautiful. The Countess Car
aven was woman of stately lowell
ness, Lady Hamilton of fairy-like
beauty.
The ball was a marvellous success.
Lord Damers, who had come to Raw
ensmere purposely for it, said that he
had never seen anything like it, He
went up to the earl, who, looking very
handsome in his evening dress, was
watching the dancers.
'Do you know. Caraven," he asked.
who is the handsomest woman here?"
The earl looked round with q smile
Amidst so many how can decide?"
THE decision does not require min
ute's hesitation" said Lord Damers.
Look round and you will see that
there is no one to compare with your
wife. She is by far the most beautiful
woman have ever seen in my life."
The earl looked up wondering1y.
us she? Do you know that have
never thought so much of her appear
ance?"
Then you have been blind. Look at
her now
Lord Caraven looked up. He saw
tall. beautiful figure and magnificent
face, with dark. PROUD, brilliant eyes
and a lovely mouth, round which
played a half-grave, sweet, timorous
smile. He seemed to be impressed.
you are right" he said; "she is
very beautiful"
II should imagine So" returned Lord
Dancers, emphatically. why, by her
side even the brilliant Lady Hamilton
looks faded Every one is talking
about your wife; you do not know how
many envy YOU"
Lord Caraven laughed aloud. Per-
haps If the world knew all, he told him
envy.
"She is beautiful" he repeated to
himself. He had suddenly awakened TO
the knowledge of the fact. He said to
himself that he must have been blind.
Had this woman been any other than
his wife, he would have thought her
perfection. AS he looked at her he won
dered that he had ever boasted of his
preference for blondes. What could
compare with the splendor OF those
dark eyes, the exquisite coloring of
that noble southern face? He must
have been blind. He crossed the room
to where the young countess stood talk
ing to Lady Hamilton.
Mildred" he said. simply, "will you
save one dance for me?
She looked at the pretty tablets and
then smiled at him.
Il am not engaged for the next
waltz" she said.
Then give it to me-" requested the
earl; and the dark eyes were raised to
his.
IF had been engaged should have
felt inclined to break my engagemc at,
she said.
Lady Hamilton was not quite
pleased. Two suns could not shine in
one hemisphere; and if Lady Caraven
had any idea of outshining her. the
sooner that idea was abandoned the
better.
( 1T is rather odd" she said, with one
of her brightest smiles, ito see hus-
band and wife waltz together-one
would imagine you were still lovers"
Hildred was on the point of retort-
ing that they had never yet been that.
but prudence restrained her.
You will not forget your promise?"
said the earl
And Lady Caraven took up the pretty
tablets again.
they held many names. Against the
waltz she wrote, My husband"
He was watching her intently, and
when she had finished writing he took
the tablets from her hand. How
strange the words looked. There were
noble names above them, noble names
below them. "My husband" He won
dered why she ha6 not written Lord