The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-07-11

counts he said in his indolent manner,
Lay the books down. will see to
them soon;" but he never looked at
them. He had but one idea, and that
was amusement. No idea OF work ever
seemed to occur to him-self-indul-
gence and Incidence were all that he
cared for.
Would he never change? Would he
remain selfish, self-indulgent, indoient,
to his life's end? The contrast between
what he did and what he should have
done appalled, her-she hardly cared TO
think of it. The estate was neglected
and uncared for; the tenants were OPP
pressed; appeals for mercy and for JUS
tice were made to him in vain. The
farmers were all dissatisfied; the only
person who really seemed to approve
OF matters all they stood was John
Blantyre; the steward, the man whom
Lady Caraven instinctively disliked.
He was always smiling, bland, and
suave; he had habit, while talking to
Lord Caraven, o. rubbing his hands
a habit that used to annoy and irritate
the young countess exceedingly. He
was quite pleased il threats were made
by the servants and the laborers that
they would appeal TO the earl. He had
a fashion of saying, you can try it
you will see what the earl says" for
the earl had but one answer to every
thing complaint, excuse or prayer
and it was, go to Biantyre"-indeed
the order had become quite a byword
on the estate, go to Blantyre" being
considered as equivalent to something
far more dreadful.
No more painful life than Hildred's
could have been imagined. Ravens
mere was gay enough they saw plenty
Of visitors, they had balls and dinner
parties; their visitors were gay, world
ly, brilliant people, who came to en-
joy themselves for few days, and did
not care to enter into. the cares and
trials of their hostess. With them she
was gay and brilliant-she would SHOW
nothing Of the anguish that never left
her; they should not go away and talk
about Lady Carayen, the wife whom
her husband did not love-" whatever
it cost her, and the effort was at times
terrible.
The earl saw her only at those
times, and he smiled significantly.
Women have no heart" he said,
scoffiingly. This girl is just as happy
as though she had the most loving hus-
band in the world. She has what she
wanted, and she seems to enjoy it,
too
OF the noble, womanly pride that
disdained all complaint; of the brave
spirit that fought so resolutely with
her longing for happiness and her
longing for love, he never even dream
ed
II begin TO think" said the hand
some earl TO himself one day, that I
have not done SO badly after all. If /
had married for love or anything Of
that kind, what trouble | should have
had, what reproaches, what tears
and a womans tears. / would sooner
face untold hardships. l should have
had all the uncertainties of love; now
l am spared it all, and my house is
presided over by queenly mistress.
Taking everything into account, I
consider am a fortunate man."
SO he said in his blindness; but the
time was to come when he would
awaken from that blindness with sud-
den, passionate pain.
When the month Of May came round
he decided upon going to London. Hal
by House was prepared for them, and
the handsome earl's friends made
ready to receive him with open arms.
He had been welcome in his penniless
state, and, having married a wealthy
heiress, he was now doubly welcome.
Those who had won money from him
before looked forward to winning
more; those who had gambled and bet
with him before looked forward to a
renewal of those delights. He would
be welcome
The elite of the fashionable world
were not sorry to receive their favor
lite again. The rumor that Halby
House was to be thrown open, that the
young Countess Of Caraven was very
beautiful, that the earl's revived pros
perity would enable him to vie with
the best party givers in London was
good news. The only one Indifferent to
it was the young countess herself
and she would fain have hidden her
sorrows from all eyes and remained at
Ravensmere.
hn continual