Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-08-31
CHAPTER Xxx.

OAS A. DAOhihih ~ II ~
ting for, this power Of doing good. She
bad seen something In her husbands
face that day which had surprised her
something that drove away the indo'
1ent. easy expression. Was the sleep.
ing lion reused at last? Had her pas
SiOnate words, her keen Indignation,
moved him?
Sitting opposite him at dinner time
she looked at him attentively. Ger.
tainly there was a change in his face.
1t was brighter, keener, more on tho
alert; tho eyes were full Of light he
seemed Interested in what was going
on Once during dinner she met Sir
Raoul's. glance, and it vas full of
pleased surprise. a sas
"Now Is my time" thought Hildred
NOW | may secure what | want
When the gentlemen came into the
drawing roo she made herself most
fascinating and charming. She sang,
she talked ; the whole party thought
her exceedingly entertaining. 1t was
when her husband was looking most
pleased. and listening to her with real
interest, that she went up to him.
II have a little favor to ask of you"
she said. "Will you give me five min
utcs of your time this EVENING""
His look was one OF pleased, bright
expectation.
"Assuredly, Hildred-as long as you
like ! am beginning to think that my
interviews with you are welcome ones"
So, when most Of the visitors had
gone to their respective rooms, the earl
fingered. 1t was something novel to
hlm, this appointment with his own
wife. He waited for her In the draw
ing room, where the blinds were still
,undrawn, and through the windows Of
which a lovely moon was shedding
hoods of silvery light.
Presently the door opened and his
wife came In. She had removed the
Jewels from her hair and her breast;
her lovely face shone with a new light;
her rich dress, her dark hair. made her
- most attractive picture. She went
up Ito him.
lyon are very kind to walt, Lord
sCaraven," she said. II could not get
away before. Lady Damers insisted on
- - W iSL " w cSS u iiSM-f
fashioned head. dress Worth has sent
her. could not get away. ! am afraid
you are tired"
No. he replied, II have been watch.
ing the moon and thinking"
II have come to ask of you," said
the young countess, "a favor on which
the whole Of my life depends. In
~Rnn$1pD r. va, x.,tIl ,,oIyn ~ Jo,>ny .
II you refuse 1t / shall be miserable"
THAT shall not happen IL / can pre-
. It." he answered.
my time hangs heavily on my hands.
I have. nothing to do-no occupation.
Oh. Lord Caraven. be patient with me
I want to ask you FOR something that
will give me interest-that will occu-
~ me-that win stand to me In the
place OF happiness and love-"
II Will help you to 1t II l can he
replied.
II want sSen to let me be your
steward mean, let me have charge
es your estate. I could do the duties
far better than Mr.. Blantyre.'
II give him a large salary" said
Lord Caraven. half laughing, "he ought
to do them we'll"
"But you have seen for yourself that
he does not" she returned; "he Is not
Z just steward. Then let me take his
place." she cried, eagerly. Il do not
mean In the mere keeping OF accounts
you will always want some one for
that-nor even III the looking after lit
lie details; but let me be your head
steward, Lord Caraven, and the vel
fare OF your tenants and dependents.
the weil-being of your estate, the care
Of your property, shall be my n In
tercst In life. 1 will be content to work
early and late, to live without pleasure,
n you will only grant my prayer"
"sBut you are a lady, Hildred. How
could you find time for it?"
II am not a fine lady; I am a law
yer's daughter. 1t may even be that
I inherit my fathers liking for busl-
oesA ] shall find time, believe me, II
you will give your consent"
what would you do, Hildred. sup
Dosing I gave my consent?' he asked.
.sSay rather what would I not do.
would reform all abuses. l would
snake Ravensmere a model estate-peo-
de should point to It as a pattern. l
would make your laborers men; they
are now only soulless drudges. Iwould
,pulI down those wretched cottages
where squalor and disease run riot,
and build In their places houses such
- even the poor could love. I would
educate the children. What a question
& Il you ask me! What would ! not
DOL"
The earl rose from his chair; he
tent his head with Achivalrous grace be-
fore her.
my wife" he said, you shame me.
j give my consent-my free, full. hearty
consent You will make a better mis-
4xe3s Of Ravensmere than l do a mas
ter. You shall be the queen regnant ;
Z Will be your prime minister. l place
md leave all authority In your hands.
N I promise yon NEST faithfully that
I viii never interfere; you shall pull
down and build up. You shall do just as
you will, l will never Interfere
She wns 30 overjoyed with his prom
-, with the change of his manner,
With the ~earnestness on his face. that
forgot all about her restraint and
4ndi6erence, and she kissed the hand
thAt held her own. She saw her hus-