Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-05
Democratic Nagttupss.t,
BERTHA DALT0NS TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY or AN OPAL RING
IOOniinued.l
CHAPTER KIN.

C. II
gardens were at their greatest beauty.
The foliage Of the trees was fresh In Its
young green; hyacinths, tulips, pansies,
narcissus, and other sweet and bright
flowers filed the parterres, while the
great conservatory was gorgeous with
azaleas, kalmias, cinerarias, and the
whole host of the brilliant and fragrant
blossoms of early summer. The ladies'
toilets, too. We'd with the flowers, and
the various groups wandering about the
grounds. or assembled on the green
swards to listen to the band, formed
not the least attractive part of the
spectacle. ..-.
1t was through this scene that st.
Lawrence and his friend Douglas were
Of the week succeeding Mr.. Riggs
visit. ..--.-'
Douglas would not allow that he was
given to be idle. He insisted that to
show himself in society was means to
an end.
"It is absolutely necessary for me 70
make myself KNOWN he was in the
habit Of saying to st. Lawrence. 80
ciety will easily forget me If give it a
chance of doing so. As for your land
scape painters, it Is different; your
works are everything, yourselves moth.
ing. But, with q portrait-painter. to
make himself popular is half the game. .
So, on this plea, Douglas spent much
Of his time in amusing himself. He
had often before tried to persuade st.
Lawrence to join him in his pleasure
seeking, but generally in vain. Just
now, however, st. Lawrence felt indis-
posed for work. The memory of his
wrongs, kept fresh in his mind by his
very endeavors to unravel the web by
which he was entangled, set his blood
in ferment, and the suspense he had
to undergo was terrible to him. He
would have liked to meet face to face
the man who had injured him. He
would have liked to bring back those
old times when he could have challenged
bis enemy to ordeal by arms, confident
that truth would bear down falsehood
in the fight. ''Will the slow process of
legal inquiry be as surep" he sometimes
asked himself. And now he had bound
himself by q promise-he could stir
neither hand nor foot in his own de-
fense. He almost repented having CIV
en- such a promise. But he was not the
man to recall his word when once it
was pledged. He must resign himself
to wait and endure, trusting that Prov
idepce in its own good time would un-
mask the fraud Of which he had been
the victim.
Thinking of these things as they
wandered amongst the different groups,
he scarcely listened to Douglass lively
flow Of talk, and only gave monosylla-
bic answers. Suddenly, as they were
crossing the lawn on which the band
was stationed, Douglas caught him by
tn arm, and pointed with his cane to
three ladies' sitting together at little
distance.
"By Jovel' he exclaimed, there is
my little muSic-mistreSs.
what beautiful grill" st. Lawrence
said, his attention arrested by his COM
panion's exclamation. II thought you
told me she was not handsOmem
1.-THE shorter of the two is Miss Dal-
ton. " Douglas returned impatiently.
Let us go round and come upon
them on the other side as If by accident.
I'll introduce you."
So saying, Douglas threaded his way
through the crowd. st. Lawrence fol-
lowed willingly, struck with the beauty
OF one of the ladies whom they were
approaching. As they came in sight
again, Douglas, enacting start Of sur
prise, advanced, lifting his hat.
Il am happy to see you here, Miss
Dalton" he said. This gayer scene
than that in which we usually meet"
Il am glad to see that you too some
times take a holiday" responded Ber-
tina, with frank smile holding out her
hand.
She liked the bright-spirited, agreea-
BILE young artist. Though but little had
ever passed between them, she had
learned to regard him as a friend. She
introduced him to her mother and sis
ter, and Douglas, in his turn, presented
st. Lawrence.
The color deepened upon Lena's
cheeks. Mrs. Dalton received the two
young men cordially. She had begun
to feel it rather dull. 1t was rare cir
cumstance for her to appear in public
without an attendant cavalier, and these
TWO young men appeared at fortunate
moment. 'They are quite distinguish
ed-looking, particularly the taller. dark
or one, " she seized moment to whisper
to Lena; mo one would suppose him to
be only an artist"
The young men, perceiving that their
presence was welcome to the eldest Ia
dy, remained near their several points
OF attraction. There was no difficulty
in finding subjects Of conversation.
Critical remarks upon those around
them were not spared by Douglas; and,
though Bertha's comments were never
ll-natured, she was as ready to enter
into the humors of the scene as he him
self. Lena became animated in discuss
ing the prospects of the season, and in
observing the admiration she excited in
The young landscape-painter.
When they felt inclined for stroll,
st. Lawrence walked through the con-
servatory between Mrs. Dalton and
Lena, while Douglas followed with Ber-
tha, and, when the ladies found it time
70 leave the gardens, in the same order |
they sauntered down the principal walk |
10 the entrance-gate. Nor did they part |
company here. The two friends could
10 no less than accompany the ladies to |
'he gate of Ivy Cottage, where they at
asst took leave, st. Lawrence having
irst obtained permission to bring his
sketch-book one evening to show Miss |
Dalton some American scenery.
/. $50 IT Is the same family after all |
hat Riggs spoke Of" said Douglas.
How strangely things turn out!'
What a lovely girl Miss Dalton is!,'
observed st. Lawrence. "I think have
leyer seen a face that struck me as be-
ng 80 beautiful!'
3Yes, she is, handsome certainly"
Douglas allowed; s'but to my mind, ,''he
Idded, there is a certain spirit,el beau
y in her sisters face which is far more
Why. man, where are your eyesy"
reclaimed st. Lawrence. III
.'Oh, Of course, as far as form and
olor 60, / have nothing to say" re-
urned Douglas; "but look at the soul
hat shines out Of the eyes of nv Rer-