Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1908-05-22
a CROWN OF FAITH


evening, Sne would wear q complete cos
tune of black lace and gold. She had
copied this ~fanciful dress from a pretty
lady reclining in a chariot in Hyde Park,
while n troop Of cavaliers crowded about
her to pay her homage. At other times
Miss Watson would appear in white en-
tirely, with no other ornament than u
scarlet rose at her breast.
She was always gracious. cheerful and
in excellent spirits. She paid ready
money for all the goods she ordered
never asked the price of anything flung
down her sovereigns with a smiling air,
and seemed to thank everybody, apd beam
Upon everybody, like a bencficent fairy.
There were even a few-a very few
people who vcntured to call upon the sol
distant Mrs. Calthorpe, at Geranium
Villa. DR.. O'Flisht, a physician Of re-
pute in the cathedral town, having a GER
tain grudge Of long standing against the
old Earl of Beryl, actually took his wife
and daughters to call upon the adven-
turess, and invited her to dinner on the
following Thursday.
Ellen went to the fine old house in the
High street, and really won the hearts
of the Doctors wife and rather passe but
most amiable daughters. Her v~ivacity
passed for wit, her Alterations for re-
finement. She was eHquisitely dressed in
white, with a gold cross and necklace,
and a scarlet flower at her waist.
Ellen was clever. She had received
an education rather superior to that
which a girl in her sphere would be like
ly to receive in England, and she had
read much for her station. She couid
sing and even play, nor was she wanting
in q certain degree of taste. Besides all
this. it was popularity supposed that this
young person had very solid grounds on
which to found her pretensions.
She was really-so she said, and her
lawyers said the same-married to Ar
thur Calthorpe, according to Scotch law,
She told a tale plaintively and we'll
and every word of it false-of his love
making and pcrjured VOWS. One proof
she ~lacked-letters which breathed love,
and acknowledged the marriage. In re-
ality. Miss Watson did not possess one
line of Arthur's handwriting.
However, this was only July, and the
trial did not come until November there
fore, Ellen Watson, being a young wom-
an of resources, did not fear. She had
told her lawyer she would be able to
produce SOrle lellpFS by the time OIL the
trial, and her lawyer believed her.
1t was on lovely evening that Leila
Leigh, the tasks of the day being ended,
sought and obtained permission from Miss
Pritchard, the proprietress of the Col
lege OF st, Martha's, to walk into Alb
botshold, to the library. there to seek a
particular book.
Leila walked along between the hedges.
There was a certain depression in the
air; or was it in the girls own heart?
the branches of the trees she
could see the yellow sunset sky. The
heat had been intense all day but now
a cool breeze rustled the corn, which
grew on the other side of the tall hedge.
Suddenly she heard wheels behind her.
Looking round, she perceived the roam
ponies of the so-called Mrs. Calthorpe.
The lady was alone. Eue wore.a scarlet
silk cloak, a white straw hat and a tiounc-
ed white skirt. She was holding the
reins lightly, leaning back among her
cushions, smiling her usual smile.
Leila felt her checks flush and her
heart beat when this woman appeared.
Ellen Watson slackened the reins of her
ponies, and looked still smiling at Leila
Leigh, and Leila flushed again. The
contrast was painful. Her rival leaned
pack elegantly dressed amid soft cushions.
Her well-stepping little roans bore her
along with grace and spirit. She was
actually called in the neiehbothood Mrs.
Calthorpe. She had money, she had par
tisans, she had ease, and style, and lux
ury.
Leila wore a dress of plain striped
oo,,,l,, r IInr q a w. v,,o --.oJ - 1.r-
was toilsome. She was poor and obscure.
Her very beauty was, as it were, hid I'M
der a bushel in the seclusion of St. Mar
tha's. Arthur Calthorpe's love for her
just now a thing to hide, and be even
a little ashamed Of, until the claims of
the woman WHO drove the roam ponies
were annulled.
Ellen Watson came to a standstill and
beckoned Leila Leigh imperious.y with
her whip. Leila drew herself up, and
was passing on haughtily, when the other
called after her. es
Miss Leigh-Miss Leigh, l wish to
speak to you"
Leila turned round. The flush had left
her cheek she was pale now but her
eyes flashed. She did not speak.
OH" said Ellen Watson, Tipping a
hedge-hower with her whip. II want
your brother to give me lessons in French.
Will you ask him? 1 know he could
give me four hours a week and those
people at Wycherly could well spare him.
| knew you by sight; my maid told me,
when you sat in church,
"Of course I can mention It." said
Leila coldly and she would have walked
but the other stopped her again.
You know I am Mrs. Calthorpe, Of
No; / do not know 1t. It is NOT
known yet, madam. 1t will require to be
before it is acknowledged
Miss Watson's face grew pallid. She
clenched her teeth. and the smile died
away from her lips.
What I have heard is true, then, Miss
Leigh. He pretends to love you, eh2'
Madam, l answer no questions. Mr..
Caltnorpe can be nothing more than a
friend to anybody until your claims are
proved or disclaimed."
They will never be disclaimed," replied
Ellen Watson calmly. II have an uncle,
a lawyer, who knows every turn of the
Scotch law ( and he tells me to rest per-
secure"
A chill of dread-a conviction that this
woman spoke the truth, that her claim
would be made valid, and that though
Calthorpe might never live with
Scotch woman. she would have a
right to bear his name, and share his
fortrn@took absolute possession of Leila