Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-12-12

in her case. Her figure was short
and dumpy, the despair of her
staymakers, and her taste in dress
ran to the extremes in colorlng
and fashion.
Passionately fond of all beauty.
Miss Darlington felt keenly her
own lack of it, and to this lack she
attributed the fact that she was a
spinster. Those who know her felt
there might be other reasons why
her suitors had been few, but, as
a matter of fact, the acidity of her
disposition was a direct result of
her disappointed, loveless life, and
even yet, though nearing SO. Miss
Lucy Darlington had by no means
laid aside all thoughts of matrimo-
NAL adventure.
Heiress to immense wealth, there
had been fortune seekers who
asked her hand, but Lucy Caring
ton would none of these. Aristo-
cratic and high minded, she had
.iunerring perception of motives,
and the men who had been willing
to marry her face as we'll as her
fortune had been of such unworth
that the lady had scorned them.
But now, looming on her hopes
horizon was a welcome possibility.
Count Henri Charlier, a visitor of
a neighbour, seemingly admired
the mistress Of Garden Steps and
had fallen into the habit of fire.
quent calling. Courteous and pol
ished of manner he flattered Miss
Darlington in such wise that his
attitude was acceptable ii not in
d|ubitably sincere. Her closest
scrutiny and most challenging
provocation failed to surprise any
admission of her lack Of perfec-
ton in his eyes, and his splendid
physique and brilliant mind COM
! manded her complete approval
, and admiration. There had been
i, hints that his title could not be
! read entirely clear, but this was
: not sufficient to condemn him in
: Miss Darlington S eyes.
To be sure, the Count had as vet
said no word that could be con.
/. strued as of definite intention, but
there had been certain signs
! deemed portentious by the will.
. ing mind Of the lady in question.
E Bridge was Miss Carrington's
favorite diversion and, as thu
/, Count also enjoyed it., frequent
! evenings were devoted to the
! game.
1t was, perhaps, a mistake tina
f Miss Darlington should have al
lowed this, for her temper, Away.
i uncertain, lost all restraint whel
she suffered i'll luck at cards. 4
poor hand always brought dow
violent objurgation on the heae
v of her partner and sarcastic com
ment or criticism on her adver
r saries. These exhibitions OF wratl
were not good policy il she wished
ID charm the Trench visitor, but
as he invariably kept his own TEN
.t per. his irate hostess made littl
? effort to curb hers.
II "What are you doing. Anita
g cried Miss Darlington, petulantly
as they settled themselves at tn
J. table. "You know ] always pla.
with the blue cards, and you ar
.e dealing toni
l. "Sure enough! Pardon me
r. Lady Lucy, ! will take the re-
Al ones.
ssThen pray, wait till I MAX
is them up. There. No, let the Ccun
r. cut them. Have you no notion O
le bridge rules? You are quite tn
most inattentive player! Will yo
kindly concentrate on the gameG
l. eyes, indeed" and AMT
Frayne smiled as she deity deal
It, the red cards. 81 hope you have
good hand"
ID "You hope l have a good hand
as A strange idea for an adversary.
N "But | know you like to win.
IS and Miss Frayne hastily gatherc
in up her own cards.
ID 81 do not like to have you war
s, me to .in! That IS babyish. I liz
n to win by superior skill, nc
- - A. -1--l- z-l "H..