Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-03-31
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FLORA FAIRFAX;
OR ID
The Curse of the Crimson Cross
CHAPTER I.

OF the most beautiful women in the coun
try when she became tie bride OF Sir 10y,
nor was she less lovely now, in the second
wear of her wifehood. Tall and exquisitely
moulded, she belon ed neither to the class
of blonde nor brunette, yet united in her
personeb the chief charms OF both. Her
hair was of rich, gi,tening, chestnut
brown, brushed back from tran parently
clear forehead: and haAsott, large ey were
of the clear brown WINCH seems to melt and
grow impid as you gaze at 1t, while her
complt xon was fresh as rose, and NO
sculptor's art could hav improved on the
perfection of her small pure features.
Sir Roy Fairfax WAS worthy of the aristo'
cratic race from which he sprung an
Apollo in beauty, a gladiator IN strength
and lize. He was dark, with curling haI
and bright blue eyes, whose gaze WAS fal-
con like in its keenness, but there was an
EXPRESSION only of the most caressing ten
derness in their light as be approached his
wife. Lady Fairtax's face grew bright Of
she held ont her jeweled hand.
"You are late tonight, Roy"
"a little late, my love, but had letters
to write" he answered,
II wish You were not going ont to din
ner tonight" she said. instinctivtly draw
ing nearer to his side.
any darling, don't be unreasonable he
answered, touching her bright hair fondly.
81 shall be back before you have had time
even to isS me.
"As il | did not always miss You, Roy
Don't sit up for me, Marian. | shall
enaeavor to return as early as possible, but
don't like the idea of those bright eyes
growing dim with midnight vigils. Prom
ise me TO 90 to vour room at eleven
II promise, Roy"
Her eyes shown softly up into bis as he
bent to press good bye kiss upon the
dewy scarlet of her lovely lips, and thus
they parted.
Sir Roy's footsteps had long died away
in the corridors, and the little clock had
chimel several times, when Lady Fairfax
sounded the small silver hand-bell on the
table. Her maid answered the summons -
a grave, middle-aged woman.
"Are there lights in my room. Wharton
"Yes, my lady. Do you wish to retireY
II may as we'll go up stairs, as to sit
here" said Lndy Fairfax. YEARLY. prom
lBBu DIT hoy UOt w Dt lhlt.
"Has Sir Roy gone out, my LADY,"
eyes he dimes at MIR. Mountjoy's to-
night"
"G"ne out to dinner, my LADY,"
Lady Fairfax glanced up in surprise.
odd you not hear me say he was to dine
ut the Mountjoy's2 What is there sc
strange about that?"
Nothing. my lady, to be sure" an
swered Mrs. Wharton. occupying herself
with gathering up the books and work
scattered round Lady Fairtaxs table; "only
Dickson has Just come up from the game.
keepers cottage, and says lie saw Sir Roy
going in there"
Dickson must be mistaken" said Lady
Fairfax placidly. You have left my casso
lette on the table, Wharton"
Mrs. Wharton followed her lady up the
broad staircase, on which strip of velve
carpet deadened the sound OF footsteps
into large and beautifully decorated
apartment, where the skill of the moderr
upholsterer had turned the ancient wall
into casket of beauty a,id freshness.
II am not sleepy yet Wharton sai'
Lady Fairfax, glancing around her, as sh
sank into the cushione depths of this cas-.
chair. II shall read tor sometime vet
will ring for you when | require you"
"Yes, my lady," SAID the maid, quietly
and she withdrew, leaving Lady Fairfa
alone in the beautiful room.
Suddenly Lady Fairfax started to he
feet =
"Hark rshe exclaimed, as if to herself
"what was that ?"
For the dreamy summer perfumed s.
lence of the room had been suddenly rem
asunder, as it were, by the quick, shar
report Of gun