Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-08-18
A STOLEN PLEASURE.

Dem. lUios NepH. Do You feel disposed ter n
eondoa trip this afternoon II just the wealth
err for an expedition to the Armenian convent. i
know I am violating all the Venetian prophecies
by not addressing this note to Mrs. Langton, but
I shall call for you at halfpast and If you do
not care to 90 | shall proceed on my journey
alone. Devotedly yours
ELIOT VANE.
This note was read by girl standing
in flood Of spring sunshine against
high. balcoaied window. When she
had finished, she gazed long and visit
fully upon the expanse OF water mp
ping with a metallic CLEAN In the
spring wind, across which boats We're
darling, rocking from side to side.
She crossed the room to where a snail
woman with face that bore traces OF
former negative prettiness was seated,
embroidering table-cover, with cup
of tea by her side.
"Auntie, Mr.. Vane writes to ask me
to go to the Armenian convent with
him. May u"
"How can you ask such a question,
Dotha? You know perfectly well l
shall not permit it. It's not suitable
thing for you to do. Mr.. Vane is too
conspicuous man for you to go out
with. | saw Mrs. Graves look at you
in very strange way last evening
when you were talking with him. Re-
member, your reputation is all you
have"
II wish had no reputation" said
Miss Nevil, bitterly, "if my youth must
be spent in thinking of what Mrs.
Graves or Mrs. Brown, or some other
woman may or may not say OF me. l
wonder if girls in America have to do
the same thing. i wish | lived there"
Chow ungrateful Of you, Dotha,
when you know what 1ritces make
and have made to keep you in Eu-
rope"
els that the only objection you have
to my going, that some of these women
NAV talk about me over their tea?"
1.-The principal one. l am glad Mr..
Vane is going away soon. These at
tenticns of his are very compromis-
ing"
''Then l shall take my risks into my
own hands, and go but with one OF the
few men have ever felt any interest
in"
"You will see your mistake, Dotha,
when it il too late | must beg to
waive all responsibility. If you bring
scandal upon yourself, do not blame
me-"
Mrs Langton was disciple Of the
hybrid social system that prevails
among Americans on the continent of
Europe. While she was more than
anxious to settle her niece in life suit
ably, at all events, brilliantly, if posi-
BILE, her profound respect for the cen
serious tongues of the chance acquain-
tances with whom she exchanged calls
and kettledrums led her to keep the
girl so well protected that only the
recklessness of defiant spirit caused
her to make for herself those oppor
tunities, unconsciously, which her aunt
neglected to make for her. Mrs. Lang
ton, like many another Europeanized
American, quite ignored the fact that
marriages which were supposed to
spring from attraction could not be
brought about in the same manner as
those Of convenience.
Eliot Vane has fallen in love with
Miss Nevil the first day he had seen
her in St. Marks, where he was max
ing a study of the arches. She harmo-
nized with the tawny sunlight that
crept like a sentient thing among the
shadows as she sat there in front of the
brown Byzantine Madonna, the wish
ing-shrine, every wish made before
which comes true. He was especially
struck by the purity of her profile, a
certain hower-like droop Ct the head,
and when she rose, the wistful look in
her eyes. 1t was not long before he
met her somewhere, and Mrs. Lang
ton, having asked him to her house, he
became frequent visitor, more fire.
quent. indeed, than that good lady
deemed discreet, inasmuch as she dis
liked anything pronounced or conspicu-
Gus, and MIR. Nane was certainly a con-
spicuous person. Everyone in Venice
knew him by sight and name. He
was called the handsome American.
He was man of the world, no less
than an artist; he was rich, he was well
connected, he sold his pictures only
when he chose; consequently, he did
not feel the need Of constant attend
ance upon teas, and the tea-drinking