The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-08-15

| child"
and I have Nd sister. l have al
ways wished for one. When l was
strong man who did not know what
aches and pains meant, l used to wish
that had wonnns gentle mind and
heart to guide ne; when health and
strength left me, when / became al
most helpless, onged for the gentle
hands of a woman near me; but my
longing was never gratified."
She looked at him with smile.
You should have looked for wife.
Sir Raoul"
She repented OF her words when she
saw the terrible change that came over
his face.
"A wife? No, shall never have a
wife. | wanted sister"
"You must let me take sisters
place." she said, gently. You do not
know what your coming means to me.
II will give me what need SO sorely--
an occupation. You will let me nurse
you when you are III, wait upon you,
read to you-tend YOU in all ways"
Il am afraid that you will spoil me,
Lady Caraven."
mo; but will try to make you we'll
and strong again. Do you really prom
Use me that / may do this?"
His pale face flushed
do you know" he said that you
really embarrass me? feel as though
some fair young princess were offering
to take charge of me. How can /
thank you? 1t seems to me that the
desire of my heart is satisfied l have
kinswoman to love at last"
She laid her hand on his arm and
walked with him into the breakfast
room.
You ought not to have risen so ear
ly," she said; land now you must atone
for that by taking some of my tea. I
pride myself on being good tea
maker"
Looking at her, he thought that, il
she prided herself on her exquisite
grace and girlish loneliness, it would
be only natural. He was perfectly
charmed with her; she was modest and
unaffected; there was a certain grace
in her frank, kindly manner which
made it impossible not to feel at home
with her.
He was entirely so; and he smiled to
himself. They were seated at the table
as though they had known each other
for years.
But surely he said. 1--WE are re-
miss. We are not waiting for Ulric?"
Her expression changed slightly, as
1t always did at the mention Of her
husbands name.
Lord Caraven never takes breakfast
here" she. said. slowly. "Our hours are
not the same"
Then he is bad judge" remarked
Sir Raoul. Il would far rather take
breakfast here than anywhere else in
the world"
To this Lady Caraven made no re-
ply.
Before that day was half ended Sir
Raoul was lost in wonder. How was It
that the earl did not love this beautiful
girl? He himself was charmed with
her. He thought her delightful
He had reason to know that she was
as tender of heart as she was fair Of
race, for that same morning the old
pain in his chest. the enemy that had
laid him low, returned with redoubled
violence. He was CHASTITY white and
trembled with pain. Then he learned
what the gentle hands of woman were
like.
The first dinner bell had rung when
the earl returned, and Sir Raoul did not
see him until dinner time. Lady Car
aven was the first to enter the draw
ing room, where Sir Raoul awaited her.
She looked very lovely in her evening
dress, 1t was of white-white that
shone and gleamed-with picturesque
patches OF scarlet She wore scarlet
and white flowers. with suite of opals.
He had thought her beautiful before,
but now, with her white neck and
shoulders and rounded arms all shown.
she looked. he thought, magnificent.
Her face frightened when she saw
him. How strange 1t seemed that a
kindly smile should greet her in those
cold rooms!
1t seems so novel and so strange,
Sir Raoul." she said. Ito find a kind
| face here"
1T ought not to seem So" responded
Sir Raoul, warmly.
Then the earl came In. He passed
his wife with silent bow, never once
looking at her, ard she drew aside the
skirts of her robe to let him go by.
Sir Raoul could not help noticing that
she seemed to dread lest they should
even touch him. There was not much
hope of love or reconciliation there.
Ito be continued.)