Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-12-26
nearly drove me erazs!"

morning, noon, and night -
sighed Pauline. "You have vo,,r
hours off, Anita. but i never do.
She ever wakenS me in the night
to read to her, or to heip'hcr plan
her new gowns.
cit IS awfully hard for you
began Mr.. lllsley, and then al!
stopped short, for the object Of
their discussion returned to the
room.
1t was plain to be seen Miss
Darlington was In a state of SUD.
pressed excitement. She giggled
almost Historically, and tapped
the Count playfully on the arm
with her fan, as she bade him say
good night and go.
The interested ones watching
her could not learn whether the
Count had declared himself or
not. The presumption was mega
tive, for, had he done 20. surely
Miss Darlington would have told
the good news.
Charlier himself was distinctly
noncommittal. Debonair as al
ways, he made his adieux, no
more demonstrative to his hostess
than to the others, and went
away. Illsley followed, and the
household dispersed. The clock
struck midnight as the ladies
went upstairs.
Following custom, they all
three went to Miss Lucy's bou-
doir. 1t was by way of reporting
for tomorrow's orders, and was a
duty never neglected.
The exquisite apartment, from
which opened the bedroom and
bath, was softly lighted and fra
grant with flowers.
How do you like Count Henri
Charlier?" Miss Darlington
! quickly demanded of her satel-
lites.
"Charming," said the voluble
Anita. "Just a typical French
nobleman, isn't heY And how he
adores our Lady Lucy"
The whole speech rang false,
but the vanity Of the lady adj
dressed swallowed it as truest
sincerity. eyes," she returned,
che is infatuated, I have reason
to think. But-we shall sec what
we shall see! Curb your impa-
thence, girls! You shall know all
in due time"
"Can I do anything for you,
Auntie, tonight or tomorrow"
asked Pauline, and, though she
tried to speak with enthusiasm,
her tone did sound perfunctory.
"Not if you offer in that man
ner," and Miss Darlington looked
at her niece coldly. Zone would
think, Pauline, that it must be
an irksome task to do the smallest
favor for your aunt and benefac-
tor! Do you feel no pleasure in
doing what trifles you can for one
who does everything for you9"
II would feel a pleasure, Aunt
Lucy, if you were kinder to me.
But"
"Kinder!" shrieked her aunt !;
kinder! Girl, have you taken
leave of your sensesf l give you
q home, fine dresses, money,
everything you can want, and you
ask me to be kinder to you! Go!
Never let me see you again, after
that speech!"
"Oh, auntie, don't! I didn't
"You didn't mean to exasper-
ate me beyond endurance! No,
of course you meant to stop short
of that! But you have done it.
II mean this, Pauline: tomorrow
you. go elsewhere to live. No
longer will I give a home to such
q monster Of ingratitude!
"But, Miss, Carrington," and
Anita Frayne's soft voice i'm
plored gently, "don't be hasty.
Pauline didn't mean"
"What!" and Lucy Caring
ton turned on her, "you take her
parti Then you. 60, too: I want
no ingrates here. Leave me, both
Of you. This. night is your last
beneath this roof! You are two
unworthy girls, to scorn and
slight the hand that has fed and