Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-08-03
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
Never did the fine old mansion OF
Ravensmere look fairer than in the
leafy month of June.
The homecoming had not been a
source Of great pleasure to Lady Cara
ven, All places were alike to her; the
shadow Of her unhappiness darkened
them all.
1t was a lovely evening when they
reached the castle. The sun was shin
ing full on the towers and turrets. Sir
Raoul cried out in delight when he
saw the place.
This is just how l have seen it a
hundred times in my dreams he said.
There Is no other spot in England
one-half so fair"
Upon my word" said the earl,
turning to him suddenly, II wish that
you had it instead Of me: o would
make a thousand times better MASTER
"You will be n better master yet
Raoul, touched at the unexpected hui
nifty of the words.
mo; l shall never improve" replied
the early with a short laugh. 1--WE
shall oon see the quiet of Ravensmere
disturbed. Do you know that only
three out of twenty declined my In
vitation? We shall have the prettiest
woman In England here"
"Who may that be?" asked Sir
Raoul.
do you not know Lady Belle Win
stone--the lovely golden-haired young
| widow?"
Sir Raoul looked at the noble. beau
tlful face opposite him; it could not
have been colder and prouder.
Lady Belle Winstone," he repeated.
II have never even heard the name be-
fore. l incline to the belief" he con-
tinued, with a bow to the countess,
that we have the loveliest lady in the
land at Rayensmere now"
you are a courtier, Raoul," laughed
the earl. do not commit yourself to
any decided opinion until you have
seen Eady Belle"
MY opinion has long been formed"
replied Sir Raoul. pleasantly. When
ever he advanced the cause of the
neglected, unloved wife, he did 1t with
SO much good humor that the earl
could not possibly take offense.
Lady Belle" continued his lordship,
..has mad more admirers than any We
man In England"
Then | should say" replied Sir
RaouL that she was a great CO.
quette." Lord Caraven laughed.
"She is indeed; but then her CO.
quetry is so delightful that a man does
not mind being made the victim Just
for once.n
+Tastes Differ said Sir Raoui, calm
". "A coQuette would never please
me-"
Chen the carriage stopped ut the
great entrance, and they We're at
home. Remembering that after ali he
owed this house to the wife he did not
love, Lord Caraven deigned to say a
few kind words to her: he said that
he had never seen so many roses at
Ravensmere, and never such beauti-
full blooms. What mattered the bloom
os the roses to her? He did not love
her; she did not even like him; but
he was her husband. and 1t was intol-
cradle that N other woman should
have all his admiration With a ges-
ture of naughty pride she swept into
the house. Sir Raoul understood the
action well.
Perhaps the distress that Sir Raoul
Laureston could not help feeling for
the sorrows of his fair young kins-
woman was too much for the weak,
shattered frame. or it may have been
that the air OF Ravensmere did not
suit him. He was not well for many
weeks after his arrival. He did not
actually keep his room; the earl, who
was tender enough and anxious
enough where his cousin was con-
cerned, had ordered two of the largest,
lightest and most cheerful apartments
Id the castle to be prepared for him,
and Lady Caraven was only too anx-
ious to arrange everything most luxu-
rtously for him.
More than once when she came to
read to him, always bringing with
her sweetest flowers and choicest
fruits, he had noticed that her lace
was pale and her eyes were heavy
with weeping. Once he said to her:
Mildred, do ycu spend the whole
night In tearsg'
Sometimes she replied, .but
.Raoul. do not talk to me about tt
would rather speak on any other sub
49, 49,. ..nr~.te -