The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Heiress and Wife. , ‘57 . t L {589? l CHAPTER: III. In an elegant boudoir, all crimson and gold, some 'hours later, sat Plume Hurlhurst. reclining negligently on a satin divan. toying idly with a volume which lay In her lap. ‘She tossed the book aside with a yawn. turning her supelrb dark eyes on the little figure bending over the rich trailing silks which were to adorn her own fair beauty on the coming evening. "So you think you would like to at- tend the lawn fete toâ€"night, Daisy?” she asked, patronizingly. Daisy glanced up with a startled blush. "Oh. I should like it so much, Miss I’luma," she answered. hesitatingly, "if I only could I" "I think I shall gratify you," said Plume. carelessly. "You have made yourself very valuable to me. I like the artistic manner you have twined these roses in my hair; the effect is quite picturesque." She glanced satisfiedly at her own magnificent re- flection in the cheval-glass opposite. Titian alone could have reproduced those rich, marvelous colorsâ€"that perfect, queenly beauty. He would have painted the picture, and the world would have raved about its beauty. The dark masses of raven- blaek hair; the proud, haughty face, with its warm southern tints; the dusky eyes. lighted with fire and pas- sion, and the red, curved lips. "I wish particularly to look my very best toâ€"nig‘ht. Daisy," she said; "that is why I wish you to remain. You can arrange those sprays of white heath in my hair superbly. Then you shall attend the fete, Daisy. Re- member, you. are not expected «to take part in it; you must sit in some se- cluded nook where you will be quite unobserved." Pluma could not help but smile at the ardent deligh’t depicted in. Daisy's face. "I am afraid I can not stay." she said, doubtfully, glancing down in dismay at 'the pink-and-white mus- lin she wore. “Every one would be sure to laugh at me who saw me. Then I would wish. I had not stayed." "Suppose I should give you one to weanâ€"that white mull, for instance â€"how would (you like it? None of the guests would see you," replied Pluma. v Tlhare was 'a wistful look in Daisy's eyes, as though she would fain believe what she heard was really true. "\Vould you really ’2" asked Daisy. wonderingly. "You, whom people call so haughty and so proudâ€"you would really let me wear. one of your dresses? I do not Innow how to tell you. how much I am pleased l" she said, eagerly. Plume Hurlhurst laughed. rapture was new to her. The night which drew its mantle over the smiling earth was a perfect one. Myriads of stars shone like Jewels in the blue sky. and not a cloud obscured the face of the clear full moon. Hurlhurst Plantation was ablaze with colored lamps that threw out soft rainbow tints in all . directions as far as the eye could reach. The interior of \Vhitestone Hall was simply dazzling in its rich rose bloom, its lights, its fountains, and rippling music from adjoining formal-lea. In an elegant apartment .of the Hall Basil Hurlhurst, the recluse in- valid. lay upon his couch. trying to shut out the mirth and gayety that floated up to him from below. As the sound of Pluma’s voice sounded upon his eaxhe turned his face to the wall with a bitter grown. "She is so likeâ€"" the muttered, grimly. “Ah! the pleasant voices of our youth turn into lashes which scourge us in our old age. ‘Like mother. like child."’ The lawzn fete was a grand, success; the elete of the whole country round were gathered together to welcome the beautiful. peerless hostess of \Vhitestone Hall. Pluma moved among her guests like a queen. yet in all that vast throng her eyes eager- ly sought one face. “\Vhere was Rex?" was the question which conâ€" stanin perplexed 'her. After the first waltz he had suddenly disappear- ed. Only the evening before hand- some Rex Lyon had held her jeweled hand long at parting, whispering, in his graceful, charming way. he had something to tell her on the mor- rotw. "\Vhy did he hold himself so strangely aloof i" Pluma asked her- self, in bitter wonder. Ah! had she but known! \Vhile Plume. the wealthy heiress, awaited his coming so eagerly, Rex Lyon was standing, quite lost in Such "r6; (‘ .i thought. beside a rippling fountain in one of the most remote parts of the lawn, thinking of Daisy Brooks. He had seen a fair faceâ€"that was allâ€" a face that embodied his dream of loveliness. and without thinking of it found his fate. and the whole world sci-med changed for him. Handsome. impulsive Rex Lyon. owner of the most extensive and luc- rative orange groves in Florida, would have bartcrcd every dollar of his worldly possessions for love. He had hitherto treated all no- tion of love in a very offhand, cava- lier fashion. "Love is fate," he had always said. He knew Pluma loved him. Last night he had said to himself; The time had come when he might as well marry; it might as well be Pluma as any one else. seeing she cared so much for him. Now all that was changed. "I sincerely hope she will not attach undue significance to the words I spoke last evening," he mused. Rex did not return again among the throng; it was sweeter far to sit there by the murmuring fountain dreaming of Daisy Brooks. and won- A throng which did not hold the face [of Daisy Brooks had no charm for Rex. Suddenly a soft step sounded on the grass; Rex's heart gave a sudden bound; surely it could not. beâ€"yes. it wasâ€"Daisy Bro-odes. She drew back with astartled cry as her eyes suddenly encountered those of her hero of the morning. She would have fled precipitater had he \not stretched out his hand quickly to detain her. "Daisy," criedl Rex. look so frightened? pleased to see me ’I" _ "No," she said. knowâ€"" She looked so pretty, so bewildered, so dazzled by joy. yet. so pitifully un- certain, Rex was more desperately in love with her than ever. "Your eyes speak. telling me you are pleased, Daisy. even if your lips refuse to tell me so. Sit down on this rustic bench, Daisy, while I tell you how anxiously I awaited your Icomingâ€"waited until the shadows of leveniug fell." As he talked to her he grew more interested with every moment. She 'had no keen intellect. no graceful powers of repartee, knew little of books or the great world beyond, Daisy was zi simple. guileless child of nature. Rex's vanity was gratified at the unconscious admiration which shone in her eyes and the blushes his words brought to her cheeks. "This is my favorite waltz, Daisy,’ he said, as the music of the irresis- tible "Blue Danube" floated out to them. "Will you favor me with a waltz 2" "Miss Plume. would be so angry.’ she murmured. “why do you Are you dis- “I-Iâ€"do not "Never mind her anger. Daisy. I will take all the blame on my shoul- ders. They are unusually broad, you see." He led her half reluctant among the gay throng; gentlemen looked at one another in surprise. \Vho is she? they asked one of the other, gazing upon her in wonder. No one could answer. The sweet-faced lit- tle maiden in soft, floating white, with a face like an angel's, who wore no other ornament than her crown of golden hair. was a mystery and a, novelty. In all the long years of her after life Daisy never forgot that supremely blissful moment. It seemed to her they were floating away into another sphere. Rex's arms around her, his "eyes smiling down into hers; he could feel her slight form trembling in this embrace, and he clasped her still closer. \Vith youth, .ing wanting to complete the charm of love. Leaning gracefully against an overarching palmâ€"tree stood a young intentness; a dark. vindictive smile hovered about the corners of mouth. hidden by his black mustache, and there was a cruel gleam in the dank, wicked eyes scanning the face of the young girl so closely. "Ah! why not I" he mused. would be a glorious revenge." “It He made his way hurriedly in! the direcâ€". tion of his young hostess. who was. dering when he should see her again. ‘ :music. and beautyâ€"there was noth-3 man watching the pair with a strange . his I led like stars. as of one under intense. “I am sorry you have unfortunater ‘ suppressed excitement. l Lester Stanwiok made his way to ;hvr side just as the last echo of the gwaltz (lied away on the air, in- iwardly congratulating himself upon .fiuding ltcx and Daisy directly be- ;Side him. | “Miss I’luma,‘ said Stanwick, with ‘ bow. "will you kindly pre- lsent me to the little fairy on your flight! I am quite desperately smit- iteu with her." a law Several gentlemen crowded around Pluma asking the same favor. l \Viih a smile and a bow. what lcould Rex do but lead Daisy grace- jfully forward. Those who witness- ;ed the scene that ensued never for- y .got it. For ansxver I’luma Hurl- Iburst turned coldly, haughtin to- ward them. drawing herself up groudly to her full height. "There is evidently some mistake here." she said, glancing scornfully at the slight, girlish figure leaning upon Rex Lyon's arm. I do not re- cognize this person as a guest. If I mistake not, she is one of the hire- ‘lingsconnected with the plantation." If a thunderbolt had suddenly ex- ploded beneath Rex's feet he could not have been more thoroughly as- founded. Daisy uttered a piteous little cry and, like a tender flower cut down by a sudden, rude blast, would have fallen at. his feet had he not reached .out his arm to save her. “Miss H‘urlhurst," cried Rex, in a ' voice husky with emotion, "I hold my- self responisble for this young lady's presence here. Iâ€"â€"" "A'h!" interrupts, Pluma, ironical- ly; "and may I ask by what right you force one so inferior, and cerâ€" | tainly obnoxious, among us ?" Rex Lyon's handsome face was white with rage. "Miss Hurlhurst," he replied, with stately dignity, "I regret. more than ‘the more words ex- press, that my heedlessness has brought upon this little creature at my side an insult so cruel, so un- just, and so bitter, in simply grant- ing my request for a waltzâ€"a re- quest very reluctantly granted. An invited guest among you she may not be; but I most emphatically defy her inferiority to any lady or gentle- man present." "Rexâ€"Mr. Lyon." says Pluma, icily, "you forget yourself." He smiled contemptuously. “I do not admit it." he said, ‘hotly. "I have done that which any gentleman should have done; defended from in- sult one of the purest and sweetest ‘of maidens. I will do moreâ€"I will shield her. henceforth and forever with my very life, if need be. If I can win her, Ish-all make Daisy Brooks my wife." Rex spoke rapidlyâ€"vehemently. His chivalrous soul was aroused; he scarcely heeded the impetuous words that fell from his lips. He could not endure the thought that innocent, trusting little Daisy should suffer through any fault of his. “Come, Daisy,” he said, softly, clasping in his own strong white ones the little fingers clinging so piti- fully to his arm, "we will go away from here at onceâ€"our presence longer is probably obnoxious. Fare- well. Miss Hurlhurst." "Rex." cried Pluma, involuntarily. taking a step forward, “you do not, you can not mean \Vlhi'l‘U you say. You | will not allow a creature like that to separate usâ€"you have forgotten Rex. You said you had something to tell me. You will not part with me so easily." she cried. A sudden terror seized her at the thought of losing him. He was her world. She forgot the guests gath- ering about herâ€"forgot she was the wealthy, courted heiress for whose glances or smiles men sued in vainâ€"â€" forgot her haughty pride, in the one absorbing thought that Rex was going from her. Her wild, fiery, passionate love could bear no re- , stu'aint. "Rex." she cried, suddenly falling on her knees before him. her face white and stormy. her white jeWeled hands supplicaiingly. "you .must not, you shall not leave me so; i no one Shlll come between us. Listen i â€"â€"I love you Rex. What if the whole world knows itâ€"what will it mat- ‘ter. it is the truth. DIy love is my life. You loved me until she came beturenus with her false. clasped fair face. to be your wife. Send Ill'll miser- able little hireling away, Rexâ€"[he gardener will take charge of her." Pluma spoke rapidly, vehemently. 1No one coull stay the torrent of her bitter words. Rex annoyed. was plinfully distressed and l~‘or‘.uniicly but very few l l But for this you would have asked mer expressed yourself, for your own sake. I beg you will say no more. You yourself have sr-vered this night the last link of friendship between us. I am frank with. you in thus admitting it. I sympathize with you, while your wurds hive filled me with the deepest conslernation and emlxir- rassment. which it is useless longer to prolong." Drawing within Daisy's arm hurriedly his own, Rex Lyon strode quickly down the gray-01ml path, will] the full determination of never again crossing the threshold of \Vhiteslone Hall, or gazing upon the face of Pluma Hurlhurst. Meanwhile I’luma had arisen from her knees with a gay, mmking laugh, turning suddenly to the startled group about her. "Bravo! bravol Miss Pluma," cried Lester Stanwick, stopping to her side at that opportune moment. “On the stage you would have made a grand success. \Vc are practicing for a coming Charade." explained Stan- uick. laughingly; "and, julgiug from the expressions depicted on our I’riends‘ faces. Ishould say you have drawn largely upon real life. You will be a success. Miss Plumri.” No one dreamed of doubling the asâ€" sertion. A general laugh followed, and the music strunk up again. and the gay mirth of the’fete resumed its sway. Long after the guests had departâ€" ed Pluma sat in her boudoir, her heart torn with pain, love, and jealousy, her brain filled with schemes of ven- geance. ‘ “I can not take her life 1" she cried; "but if I could mar her bea'tuyâ€"the pinIkâ€"andâ€"white beauty of Daisy Brooks, which has won Rex from me â€"â€"I would do it. I shall torture her for this,” she cried. "I will win him from her though I wade through seas of blood. Hear me, Heaven." she cried. "and register my vow!" Plume hastily rung the bell. "Saddle Whirlwind and Tempest at once!" she said to the servant who answered her summons. "It is after midnight, Miss Pluma. I__.. There was 'a look: in her eyes which would brook no further words. An hour later they had reached the cottage wherein slept Daisy Brooks, heedless of the danger that awaited her. “Wait for me here." said Plums to the groom who accompanied herâ€""I will not be long !" (To Be Continued.) +â€" CHAIRLES DICKENS‘ PRESENT. Charles Dickens was always very fond, of children. One day he was walkingl in the neighborhood of Gad’s hill, not long after he had acquired his picperty there. when he suddenly ran into a little girl wheeling a doll‘s peramhu'lator. I In. an instant this tiny vehicle upset, the dolls being thrown out. It was a bad accident as far as they were concerned, for wax heads and limbs are not calculated to stand much hard. usage. The little maid burst into tears. and, much to the novelist's sorrow, refused to be comforted. "Then come home with me," Dickens whispered, soothingly, “and we'll see if we can’t find some grand waxen lady in silks and satins for you." So back to the big house the two went, and sure enough, up in his chil- dren’s nursery he managed to discover a few prettin dressed dolls. With these safely tucked in he? perambula- tor the little girl trotted off. But it is in! the sequel that the best part; of the story lies. The child's heart was set on making some return for this kindness, so her parents, who had not the faintest suspicion of town to choose something. ‘Her choice fell eventually upon a gorgeously bound book, “'hen Dickens the next day undid .the parcel his small visitor brought 1him he was surprised and delighted to ‘see a copy of "David Copperfield." Not until many years later, when ‘girl. learn who the "kin-d gentleman” was. r}. _â€".â€" .o CORRECTED, AND YETâ€"- ‘ In your first edition, said the judge's henchman,. you say: Judge lthroughout yesterday's session of ,court, was as drunk as it was possible for “him to be. He was sober, and I .want you to correct it. i All right, replied the editor of the LEx'cning “'asp. \Ve‘ll, change it in :our next edition. You're welcome, as usual, surrounded by a group of i of thy guests hid observed the lhl‘ill- iGOOd day, sir. Pause. Mr. Cnglikutter, admirers. A deep crimsm spot burn- ed on either cheek, and her eyes glowâ€" ing tableau eziictel 5.: near them. “I’lumaâ€"Miss liurlhuxst.“ he snid, strike out drunk and insert sober in that paragraph. ‘ not her friend’s personality. took her to1 ‘they met again in society, did the little ‘ ‘in finding out with whom they had to Booz, ‘ [linwlllll GIRLâ€"SI“ SHOULD BE BRIGJT. CHEERFUL. ACTIVE AND STRONG. .l Greul ltcsponslhlllly IKQ‘SI.‘ l'pcu )lulhcrl nl Tlllfi l'erlod as ll Involves Their Daughter's I‘ulurc llapplmws or .Vllscry â€"s‘nme ll-u-ful lllllls. Risy cheeks. bright eyes. am elastic step. and a good appetite, are the bilriihright of every girl. These are the condition that bespeak perfect health. But unfortunately this is not the, conditions of thousands of grow- ing girls. On every side may be seen girls with pale or sallow complex- ion, languid, stoop shouldered. and listless. Doctors will tell them that they are anaemic, or in other words that their blood is poor. thiln and watery. If further questioned they will tell them that this condition leads to decline, consumption and the grave. What is needed is amedicine that will make new, rich. red blood. strengthe the nerves and thus re- store the vigor. brighhness and hope- fulness of youth. For this purpose no other discovery in the annals of medicine can equal Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and thou- sands of once hopeless girls have been made bright, active and strong through their use. Among those who have been brought back almost from the grave by the use of this medicine is Miss M. C. Marceaux,. of St. Lam- bert de Levis, Que. Miss Marceaux says; "It. gives me the greatest pleas- ure to speak of the benefit I have experienced from the use of. Dr. VVil- liams’ Pink Pills. For some years I resided in \Visconsin with a relative, where I devoted my time studying English and music, intending to make the teaching of the litter my profes- sion. I was neveu‘ very strong, and my studies fatigued me much. \Vhen about fourteen I became very pale. suffered from severe headaches. and weakness. 1 consulted a doctor. and acting on his advice, returned to Canada. The fatigue of the journey. however, made me worse, and finally I got. so Weak th-it. I could not walk without help. I was extremely pale. my eye-lids were swollen, I had con- tinuous headaches, and was so nervous. that the least noise would set my heart beating violently. I almost loathed food and my weight was re- duced to ninetyâ€"five pounds. Neither doctor’s medicine nor anything else that I had taken up to that time seemed of the slightest benefit. I was confined to bed for nearly a year and I thought that nothing but death could end my sufferings. Happily an acquaintance of my father‘s one day brought me a box of Dr. VVilliams' Pink Pills, and urged me to try them. I did so. and [thought they helped me some. and my father got more. After I lied used a few boxes all my friends could see they were helping me, and by the time I had taken nine boxes I was enjoying bet- ter health than I had ever hlad in my life before, and had gained fifteen pounds) in weight. I tell you this out of gratitude so that other young girls who may be weak and sickly may ‘know the way to regain their health.” Girls who are just entering woman- hood are at the most critical period ofl their lives. Upon the care of receive depends their future happi- ness. Neglect may mean either an early grave or a life of misery. If mothers would insist that their growing daughters use Dr. Williams‘ Pink Pills occasionally, rich blood, strong nerves, and good health would follow. If your dealer does keep these pills in stock they will be sent post paid at 50 cents a box or six boxes for $2.50 by ad- dressing the Dr. \Villiams‘ Medicine 00., Brockvil’le, Ont. â€"â€".._..- LISTENING AT A SALARY. The candidate, a man who thought himself a fit personage to become an M.P., was giving the first speech of the campaign. The hall was at first comfortably full, but the audience was not long do, and began to go out one by one. At last only one remained, and he Listen-ed wfnh great attention. thus en- courag‘ng the speaker to continue. At the end of half an hour the speaker stopped and politely asked; I beg y‘uur pardon. sir, but Ihope I am not trespassing on your kind- ness. I shall have finished in ten min- utes. Ten minute»? You can go on for another hour. or all night if you like, so long as you don't forget that you engaged me by the hour} Then the unhappy man perceire'l mo Late that it was 11)) cabby who had driven him to the hall