The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-11-01

she ittera ted. with smile that the
man who loved her thought superla-
lively artless.
Certainly it ought to he So" he
allowed half doub; fully, and unpleas-
antly conscious of an indefinable sense
of dissatisfaction, ''but still / think it
best and wiseSt for any lady to know
thoroughly the prosy and practical
part of life of the man to whose keep
ing she consisns her freedom and hap
plnesS.
Bat the wilful girl would not listen.
In her warn egotism she imagined that
she already knew As much, or more.
than he could possibly tell her.
That night they met at garden
party a rather recherche affair, with
an afternoon of croquet and tennis aud
an evening nf dancing and banqueting
under rouu.l, oi,aline mon, among
magnificent old trees of oak and elm.
! In the midst Of the festivity, while
Claudia wis for u moment alone in
cool, srbOreous nook Enthusiastically
illumined by the pale red light of
gorgeous paper lantern swinging from
an arch of thick ivy. she saw Agnes
Rothsy approaching.
Miss Rothsy wore simple and
exquisite costume of darkest, richest
violet silk, with sprays of snowy.
Byzantine in her hair and corsage
She looked very happy as she stopped
beside her pretty cpn>in.
Claudia, dear, will YOU congratu-
late me?' she whispered bashfuliy.
81 am betrothed-really at.ianced to
the lnronet. One dav while YOU
We're rowing after lilies the pastors
wife brought NV Jack for formal
call. He was foolish enough to honor
me with his admiration. and he sent
all those lovely flowers YOU wondered
about SD much. But was never
quite sure he loved me until to-day. /
But onlv Il little while ago he met mt
down there among the willows and
wild roses, AMI he told me how very
dear | had become to- him. and he I
kissed this ring before he put it on
nv finger" She flung aside a bit of
delicate lace drapery AMI presented Il
g'aceful hand upon which gliltered a
magnific mt ring Of diamonds and
gold. IL am very happy. cousin dear.
for | know that my Jack Is one of the
noble>t of all men. | should revere
him just the same If he Were brick
layer instead of being baronet"
Your Jack-the baronet What
do You mean, Agnes >" gaspe,l Claudia. /
Miss Rothsy for moment regard
Ell her cousin with much perplexity.
But just then two gentlemen adj
vanced through the vista of o.
branches hung with grotesque iliumi-
nations of gaudy irrldescence.
Hush, dear, Edmond is searching
for me, think. He is coming tn
way, and Hubert Saunders pri- /
waite secretary-you know, is with
him."
Claudia Thorne stood mOtionless and
vOiceiess. She could not utter one
word. not even when Agnes and the
baronet had gone, leaving her alone
with her lover. who regarded her with
a troubled, loving gaze.
Possibly he comprehended all, but
if he did his affection WAS too loyal to
he weakened by the fault of the hand
some girl whom he knew loved him.
why are you SD white and mute,
my darling?" he inquired tenderly.
"Would you be more fond of me,
dear. do you think, if happened to
have wealth and title"
All that was womanly and redeem |
ing in her ambitious aud subtle nature
conquered the sharp pang of disap-
pointment.
She was only conscious that he was
dearer to her than rank or riches, and
unspeakably grateful that he had for !
given folly that she was well aware
he more than suspected.
mo wealth and no title could ever |
make my respect and affection for YOU :
greater" she answered him with sim- .
pie earnestneSs. /
He was pleased and satisfied with .
the frank answer. !
"My pretty Claudia" he said, 81
shall make your witehood 50 happy
That you will never regret marrying
rn1x- =,