The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-10

well, hope it will soon be settled
and l think myself he will be an excel
lent parti-s near neighbor and fav-
orite as he is with all. You had bet.
ter lose no time. but ask him to come
and stay here for the autumn. and, thai
will settle the affair." concluded Lady
Mercia who, though she did not say
70. had great misgivinys as to Cuth-
bert's intentions; she knew his charac-
ter better than her mother did.
So the invitation was sent, but was
gratefully declined; the master Of Hay
ward had 90 much. on his hands in tho
preparation for the forthcoming Pot
teries Exhibition.
He contrived. however, to be q great
deal at Greystone, and Us his manner
had resumed its old graceful courtesy,
Lady Greystono dattered herself things
were in the proper train.
'.He evidently means to wait until
his counterfeit presentment of you tells
you his love. Gertrude" she said smil-
ing: !. h
For her ladyship, in common with
all, made sure that whatever the stat
ne might represent. the face would be
that of her lovely daughter.
So the summer waned and faded,
and when the fierce October blasts were
scattering the leaves for the November
rains to bury. the statue and the exhi-
bition were both ready.
One person who had worked hard in
helping to prepare for it, felt nothing
but the bitterest pain at the thought of
its opening. Poor Elma! the summer
had been too happy; her constant meet
ings with Cuthbcrt had caused her to
live in Elysium, and almost without
knowing it. she had grown to love
him.
She awoke from her dreams of hap
piness when her cousin returned, feel
ing sure that rs Gertrude was free, he
would marry her, and for three months
q cruel struggle had been going on in
her mind. She had avoided Cuthbert
as much as possible, but her ladyship's
determination to have him ut Grey
stone as often as possible. made it very
difficult to keep apart from him.
At last the eventful day arrived.
There was to be private view for the
gentry. and on that occasion Cuth-
bert's statue was to be seen for the
first time; he had kept his studio care
fully locked. and had resolutely declin-
ed to show it while in progress.
There was to be ball ut Hayward
Lodge in the evening. 1t was bright
October day; the great hall was quite
full of people, and all the exhibits were
duly admired, and Cuthbert's kindly
interest in his townsmen praised as it
deserved to be.
but your statue is still yelled.
When are we to see it?'' asked Lady
Greystone, who with her party had
clustered around the spot where it
stood.
Twill your ladyship condescend to
unveil it?" asked the sculptor. bowling.
with pleasure" answered her lady
ship. and withdrew the cloth with her
usual graceful movements.
A murmur of admiration was heard
around as the pure white marble glis-
tened in the October sunlight.
The figure was that of the goddess
Ceres. and corn and vines surrounded
her, and her hands we're full of fruit,
which she seemed to be Offering to the
spectator. But the face was not the
lovely. faultless, Grecian features of the
Lady Gertrude, but the sweet and ten
der face of her cousin Elma.
Not feature of the countess's we'll.
bred countenance changed as she grace
fully complimented the sculptor on his
work, although her surprise and cha |
grin were only equalled by her daugh-
ter's. But whatever they felt was
nothing to the confusion and almost
terror poor Elma experienced; she
wished the floor would open and swal-
low her, and was thankful enough |
when the carriage was announced, and
The party left. .s.s
At first Lady Greystone had intend
ID to scold Elma well. but rejecting
that it would make no difference, she
her instead. and when,
with flaming cheeks and tear-stained
eyes, Elma disclaimed al idea of be-
ing Cuthbert's wife. her ladyship clos
ID her eyes and smiled as if her niece's
were simply amusing.
That very afternoon. slipping away
rom the guests who demanded his at
ention, and leaving it to his house,
keeper to attend to the preparations
or the ball. the squire appeared at
1reystone Hall, and after q short in
erview with the earl he asked for e.
ma.
She had gone out in the grounds and
:ould not be found, and he was walk
ng away disconsolate, feeling sure
hat she would not appear at his ball
t he did not see her first, when he
leard the rustic of q dress near, and
Jaw her. thinking she had escaped him.
20 into the very arbor Gertrude had
lat in on that eventful morning in the
pring. He was by her side in a mo-
nent, and had taken both her hands.
Darling, forgive me for not asking
vour consent" he pleaded. lit was
wrong, and ought to have told you
,efore this morning."
"But Gertrude-you loved her."
began Elma. striving vainly to with
lraw her hands.
Il did; but l found her heartless,
md oh, my darling. she never had my
leart as YOU nave! Be my wife: love:
vill be content with my darling in
marble, if l cannot have her real self"
What could she say?
Anyhow, they were married soon af-
er, and all Grcystone, Hayward, and
surwood went wild with excitement.
t was so delightful that the squire had
married that darling Miss Elma instead
+ the proud Lady Gertrude, who took
10 more interest in the poor than if
hey had been so many machines.
And Lady Gertrude is unmarried
till, and wishes she had been less am
'itious. while Cuthbert is only too
thankful that the gentle Elma, and not
Ter proud ladyship, was his ''model."
A California farmer killed q squirrel