Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-07-06
CHAPTER TX.

we nave SUIue slSltpIS cDliLlS 10
lay said the Earl of Carayen to his
young wife. Dinner will be an houl
late, and rooms must be prepared
Sir Charles and Lady Courtenay iivt
at some little distance-they will no,
arrive until late.
do you mean" she said, shat ]
am to a Tor your guests-fol
their wants and comfort?"
What terribly straightforward
questions you ask" he replied. laugh
ing. you are sole mistress of the
house-you must give all orders in it,
II have not learned TO think of my
self vet as mistress OF this house.
she ~rejoined, with proud composure.
Then / must ask You to begin" he
said. "You are indeed sole mistress
OF this house; every n in IT is bound
to obey you-whatever you direct is to
be done"
But" returned Hildred. yesterday.
when I went into the housekeeper's
room, she did not seem inclined TO sub
init to my authority at all. She said
that her keys We're mislaid when I
wanted to look over the linen press. 1
fancy that she thinks I am rather too
young to old much authority"
II will soon settle that NATTER said
the earl.
He rang the bell, and in answer to
his a servant came. He sent
for the housekeeper, who looked slight
ly troubled at the unexpected call.
Mrs. Hampton said the earl stern
", II have sent for you to say that
every order that is given by Lady Car
aven is to be attended to. instantly
that she is to be obeyed implicitly as
/ am obeyed myself-that the least
show Of disrespect or ~disobedience will
be punished by immediate dismissal.
You will see that my commands are
carried out"
II will do SO, my lord"
'You will go for the future to Lady
Carayen for all your orders-you will
take them only from her"
THANK you, my lord, said the
housekeeper, retiring with a sense of
relief.
Hildred turned to her husband.
"And / thank you, too.' she said,
calmly. 81 should not have spoken but
that / saw there was a disposition in
the house to ignore my authority. I
knew that you would not like that"
Certainly not. You have done quite
right he told her, and a sudden sense
Of her cruel position came over him.
Was it likely that the servants would
show much respect to one who they
could plainly see was a unloved wife?
Evening came and brought the ex-
pected guests-Sir Charles Courtenay,
young baronet, who had but one
Idea, and that was love for his wife.
Lady Alice Courtenay, who was pref
q, lively and accomplished. Mildred
liked her at once. Her face was sun
ny and fair, and laughing eyes and
sweet lips made her a very attractive
picture. Hildred looked at her with
something like envy. She was charm
ingly dressed and had a bright express
sion Of countenance.
That evening, when Lady Garaven
dressing for dinner, her faithful
maid could hardly be satisfied; she
brought out jewels, flowers, ornaments
OF all kinds.
..Do wear them. my lady,, she said:
III you would but let me help yon
more in your toilets! Lady Courtenay
= 80 Beautifully dressed. do not let
her have all the admiratlsn.
The girl had grown so sorry for her
young mistress that she sometimes
ventured to speak famiiiar,y 70 her.
Mildred sat listlessly before the toilet
table; neither jewels, flowers o
1drssses had the least interest for her.
X think Il very probable that MI
ne admiration viii fall to her lot
whether 1 take pains with my dress II
not nlle said musinsis
MY lady. rctrriiesi tie girl. ear
|nasey 700 DO not mo now beauti-