Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-06-09

ing domicile awaiting me?'
"Why, we always keep spare room
ready for any chance arrival; and of
course the butler when he had seen you,
had sense enough to conduct you to
the right apartment
"Ah, just so! And your father"
ooh, papa's idea was that We were to
be troubled with great hobbledehoy,
who would eat enormously, and
and"
"Well, Miss Kemp, and"
Victoria colored, and looked little
confused.
ut was only some ofpapa' snonsense,
and, unless you insist"
II insist" said he mischiveously,
looking full into her eyes,
"Well, then, papa thought you might
make love to the maids.
Sydney Chevilson frowned for NOM
ent and then laughed aloud.
81 am honored, am sure! But listen,
| Victoriaw
| This was the first time he had ever
called her by her Christian name, and,
though witn instructive subtlety, she
knew perfectly well what was coming,
and not too we'll what her reply would
be, all her woman's modesty rushed to
her aid, and she said, as if she had only
then become aware of the fact:
"What distance we have strayed
| from our party, Mr. Chevilstone! Had
we not better return?"
"Not yet, / think" he answered, in a
| very tender but firm tone that she felt
powerless to resist.
However, she made one more effort
to escape hearing the verv words she
wished TO hear; so she looked at her
watch and said:
"Past five! We really must return and
lovely estate, and almost adjoins papa's.
1t is quite a sight to see the last rays of
the sun on that magnificent range Of
copper beeches."
The young man smiled curious
smile.
"You admire Woodlands, then, Vic
toria?"
Again "Victoria!" This time the hot
blood dyed her cheek and brow.
"Oh, yes, of course | do-anybody
would! Its owner died only year ago,
and papa knew him we'll. We often
visited there. 1t is a most lovely
place" !
"You do not know its present owner,
them"
"No he has not yet taken possession.
All we know is that he is gentleman
who has lived much abroad. / dare say
we shall become acquainted with him
some day"
81 dare say you will.
''No doubt he is some crusty old ma
bob with worn out liver, who lives on
curries and mulligatawny soup, and who
throws the dishes at the heads of his
black servants"
"No doubt he is"
"But then, one must be civil to next
door neighbors, you know
"Oh of counsel Good breeding enjoins
that. But do not fancy the new own
er of Woodlands will be such an ogre as
you imagine"
"Why not?"
Possibly have the honor of his ac-
quaintance."
"You?-and Victoria looked up at
him with unfeigned surprise.
''What is there SO extraordinary in
that?' asked he laughing.
"You do know the new owner of
Woodlands, then?'
"He stands before you"
Victoria kemp's surprise was 50 great
that she could not utter word
Listen, Victoria, dear est" said the
young man, taking both her hands |
''You and your father have been the
victims of a plot"
"a plotw exclaimed the young lady;
but she did not withdraw her hands.
eyes; but before | tell you about it, |
| wish to ask you one question. We
are neither of us children, we are neither
ofus, [ think, likely to express our feel
ings in many words You must have
seen that | love you. Victoria, will |
you be my wife?"
1t may be straightforward wooing
indeed! No protestions-not a single |
unnecessary word How different from
the general run Of lovers. But Victoria
understood the straightforward, manly
nature Of Sydney Chevilstone she adj
mired his character and she loved him.
SO she simply answered.
Eyes"
He pat his arms around her and
kissed her passionately.
But about the plot, sydney" asked
Victoria, after a brief interval.
"Oh, yes Well, then, that letter was
concocted EXPRESSLY to deceive your
self and the Colonel
ooh"