Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-12
BERTHA DALTOKS TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY or AN OPAL RING.
GContiniIed.1

st. Lawrence's lip curled. Inc slight
expression Of contempt she did moi
see; nor, IL she had noticed it, would
she have interpreted it Alright. Her
vanity would not permit her to imagine
that any unengaged man she met might
not become her adorer. Feeling as she
did the power of st. Lawrence's noble
bearing and courteous manner might
exert over her, in addition to the
straightforward honesty that shone
from his clear gray eyes, and the refine
ment and mental cultivation that made
itself evident in the modulation of his
voice, she was merely balancing the
question as to whether she would allow
him to fall in love with her or not.
Conversation returned to Indifferent
topics. The long spring twilight closed
in, and Mrs. Dalton rang for the lamp.
st. Lawrence soon rose to go.
II have large picture on my easel
shall be happy to show you, If you and
your daughters would think It worth
while to take the trouble of visiting my
studio" he said as he shook hands with
Mrs. Dalton.
about the pictures. but she was always
glad of an excuse for going out, glad of
anything for a change; she therefore
graciously signified that she would be
happy to pay him visit with her elder
daughter. my younger daughter is
much engaged" she added.
Bertha's c0untenance fell, something
Of the old weary look returned-and
this was not lost upon st. Lawrence.
The occurrences of the evening had
given him much to think of and specu-
late upon. He sat up late. throwing
open his window, and gazing up at the
strip of sky that the view from it per-
mitted him to see. He might have
been an astrologer seeking to read the
future in the stars. While the smoke
from his cigar assembled into the still
night air, he pondered much over what
he had seen and heard.
Mingled with many anxious consider
ati0ns as to his own fortunes were
thoughts of those whom he had Just
left. There seemed to him a great dis
crepancy. The Daltons' house was
small, but there were signs of elegant
tastes not ungratified. Mrs. Dalton and
the elder daughter were dressed fash
ionably, in style that necessarily en-
tailed no small outlay. The latter, too,
INDUCED in the languid, indolent airs
of fine lady. She had ceased to charm
him, in spite of her beauty. During
that evening he had read her character
t0lerably correct, and it certainly did
not inspire him with any warm regard.
How was it, he asked himself, that the
younger sister was compelled to work,
and to work hard, apparently? How
was it there was such q marked differ
ence in her appearancep He felt inter-
ested in her-for Douglass sake, he
told himself-and was inclined to resent
in her behalf the distinction made.
"She is sweet and sympathetic, as
well as animated and intelligent" SO his
thoughts ran; "the other is handsome,
but uninteresting-selfish and ambi-
tious If mistake not. Douglas will be
q fortunate man if he succeeds in win
ming Bertha" With a half-sigh as he
came to this conclusion, he closed the
window and went to bed, where he
tossed uneasily for some time before
sleep brought forgetfulness.
Bertha had thoroughly enjoyed the
evening. 1t was rarely she met with
any one so companionable. The clever
sketches, also, had been great treat to
her. She began to think that an occa-
sional visit from Mr.. st. Lawrence
would add much to the few pleasures Of
her life. ''s
Lena, in the solitude of her own room,
shed few bitter tears, so much had
the impression that st. Lawrence had
made upon her on their first meeting
been deepened by further acquaintance.
She was obliged to confess to herself
that he was q man she could have
loved, and vista opened itself to her
Of another life than that she had hith-
ertO set before her view; but she reso-
lutely turned away. Dashing the tears
from her eyes, she accused herself of
folly. 1t never for q moment occurred
to her that she might not be able to |
bring st. Lawrence to hAr feet if she |
chose. She took it for granted that, if |
she engaged herself to Fancourt, the
other would be in despair. "But he |
cannot expect that / should think of |
him seriously" she said to herself. |
He has nothing to offer me-"
She felt inclined to rebel at fate for
lot having given title and wealth to
The man she would have preferred-for |
,Ondemning her to receive the address,
,s of one to whom she felt so great a
as she felt to Fancourt; and
hen an uneasy feeling took possession
II her that perhaps she was not so Sc
,ure of the heir expectant as she had at
irst supposed. Mr.. Fancourt-now the
honorable Mr.. Fancourt--had called
gain soon after his first visit, and he
lad shown his admiration In what from
my enc but the heir to an earldom
would have been an offensive manner.
She however had been careful not to
)etray that she felt any cause of offense.
3ut since then he had not returned.
'he had watched for him day after day.
md evening after evening during the
asst week, and he had not come. She
'egan to feel vexed and mortified at his
Highly as she esteemed her own DOW
rs OF fascination, she was half afraid
sst some one in his own sphere might
ave come between them-some high
orn denoiselle to whom his eyes might
ave turned, and whom Lord Alphinp-
on would more willingly accept as the
ride Of his grandson and heir.
This uncertainty furthered Fan
Durt's suit much more effectually than
is presence could have done. She for
le moment forgot her dislike to the
ian In her anxiety to clutch the future
)ronet. And thus st. Lawrence's
mage gave place to her accustomed
lsiOns Of splendors to come.