Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-01-13
CHAPTER v.-(Continued)

music; but she liked the pleasant. sooth |
ing effect it had upon her. So she went
to the opera two or three times week
and In the intervals whispered scandal,
ate ices, drank coffee, or dozed gracefully
behind the curtains of her box. This
evening Mrs. Seton and she were scarce
ly settled in their seats before Lord Sum
mers begged admission.
The good-natured old gentleman look
ed rather worried. as he took the chair
behind Pauline and exchanged civilties
with both ladies'.
II have had visit from Bennor this
afternoon, Pauline" his lordship began.
1.-The poor boy is terribly upset by your
refusal"
HE will get over it."
But, my dear girl, have you no heart
Mt all? To my knowledge this is the
seventh most satisfactory offer you have
refused. | dare say you have had quite
as many of which | have heard nothing.
l begin to think you are heartless."
Perhaps you are right" she said. in
differently. But you must allow there
are two sides to the question. On the
one hand, you ask why | do not marry.
/ answer your question by asking. on the
other, Why should | marry?' | do not
am my own mistress; | have everything
l wish for-and / am happy as | am"
There is the estate. you know, to
think of. The succession lies between
you and your Cousin Ethel, the sweet
faced child l pointed out to you the other
day If you die unmarried, the estate
will revert to her children at your death.
OF course, there is nothing against that
But l am sensitive about the trust i'm
posed on me by my old friend. Sir Paul
AS | read it, his will lays the whole re-
sponsibility of this question of success
sion on my shoulders. In other words,
he leaves me the power to pick and
choose a fitting head for the House of
Mailing. Now, in the event of your not
marrying the next heir will be the off
spring of this Ethel and her artist hus-
band. Mr.. Dornton."
Pauline had kept herself well under
control, but she could not avoid an ex-
camation as Lord Summers put this
point before her.
THAT Mr.. Dornton. to whom you have
been kind, is engaged to your cousin, you
know. Well, he is "A very nice young
man--clever, we'll looking. nice manners
anG all that; but | don't think Sir Pau
would have chosen him as the perpetual
tor OF the Mailing family"
why not?' The question was pu
quickly-almost, it seemed, in spite o.
herself.
well, it seems to me that the question
answers itself. Who is he? What is he
Whence comes he? Who are his people
What were his father and grandfather
OF course he will make an excellent hus
band for poor little Ethel. for he is bound
to come to the 'front.'
do you know, whenever you talk o
that child, l fancy you regard me as al
interloper? l am sure your sympathie
are with her."
mot at all--not at all! You are to+
sensitive. | am glad to know tina
Gpoffrey's child is not likely to suffe
hardship. This Dornton seems manly
honorable young fellow. and will tax
good care of that pretty little creature
l shouLj not like to think that my Oh
friends daughter was fated to spend he
life in copying from the old masters o
the Kensing' on Museum, as she told IN
she does now
< 1t was well for his lordship's opinio
Of his wards disposition that she wa
sitting with her face turned toward tn
stage during his kindly little speech. II
WAS Il shrewd old man. and. had he see
the hatred and malice in her eyes whe
he spoke of Ethel, his previous judgmer
of her character might have been col
siderably shaken.
The next day Miss Mailing drove
the Kensington Museum, taking Babett
with her. 1t was a students day, an
the visitors made the round OF the ga
leries in Quietness, Pauline stopping
apparent interest by the side of ever
lady student. At last she found whs
she sought. She passed on until sh
reached a quiet corner, and then becl
oned Babette to her side.
You see that very young girl in tt
gray dress with her holland apron? Thu
is the person whose address l want. kee
her in sight until she leaves; follow h
home. get her address, and then go
some of the shops close by and find OF
her name"
"Mademoselle does not even know h
nameY"
II know her real name, but not Il
one she is going by just now. Whatev
you do, don't miss her."
Miss Mailing returned to her carriag
feeling that she had accomplished
good afternoons work.
CHAPTER vi.
"I'N not give wayI If l stay avs
one day. l shall want to do 1t again, an
then my copy will not be finished"
Ethel uttered this aloud, though 81
was alone, evidently with the idea tn
merely hearing the words would, pc
hans. strengthen her waning rssolutio