The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-13

| have seen nothing so beautiful AZ this
bridge"
So the letter was written and duly re.
ceiyed by Lord Audley, aud by him placed
like everything else, al the hands Of his
daughter, the Lady Lilia,."
..Read this, LiiidS," Nv said. ~ am
not quite pleased. You see that sir Raye
Wharf cannot come himself, he is i'll and
ailiug, out he sends his adopted son aud
PARTNER, Vaue Wharf, who he assures me
will give ne greater satisfaction IMAM he
himself could do"
,.This is the young Wharf who wrote
about the ,hannei tunnel Everyone was
talking about him last year
al remember" SAID the Earl. All, well,
| shall be pleased indeed 10 see HIM! lie
PROPOSES coming next Tuesday. suppose,
Lillu>, We can receive him tuch:'
..Colonel Gordon aud Lady Frances will
be here but that will not NATTER replied
Lady Lihas. "Mr. Wharf will be your
guest, papa, not minc.'
.Ccrlainly, my dear, certainly!' said
the Earl hastily. lie stood greatly in awe
OF his daughter, VINO was considered one
of the prouuest girls in England. "iou
see Mr.. Wharf really is n gentleman. lie
must, W hllt - III wv Houo' WYNN "S "S-
sociate with Us. lie would be received
anywhere"
at is dwelling age, papa; but GER
tainly make Mr.. Wharf welcome and COM
Portable"
"Now Lilias," said the Earl pleadingly,
"do not, pray do hot
NV hat papa" she interrupted.
ado not my dear, speak in tnat tone.
know Just what it means. You Will re-
ceive that unfortunate young man in your
most kindly freezing fashion, aud at the
end of an hour he will wish himself =
thousand mics away. know your man.
ner 50 well with people OF that Kind"
81 am unfortunate il my manner does
not please you, papa" sad Lady Lilias
proudly.
81, does, my dcarw cried the Earl has
tily. alt does very much indeed; but
feel sorry at times tor those who-do not
quite-understandi t-as do; do you see,
my love, You will do your best for Mr..
Wharf, am sure. 1t has been one Of the
desires Of my heart to see q bridge over
the Ulver. was in some measure com.
PEELED to ask Sir Raye to pay me visit;
wanted him 10 study the site well, 80 that
the bridge should be an ornament. l must
extend to Sir Raye's representative the
same kindness and hospitality | would
have shown to himself"
The proud face softened, the gra ef II
figure bent over him, and white arm
stole round his neck.
my dearest papa, surely you may ask
whom you will" she replied. al am not
SO proud as you think me-" and the rosy
lips smiled in a fashion that would have
melted harder heart than the EarPs.
"Lilias," said the Earl gently, .'yOu are
one OF the sweetest of women; at the same
time / honestly believe you to be the
proudest girl in England. Now do not be
offendedw
81 am not sure but that am f1attered,"
she answered. and Lord Audley, knowing
well he could never quite manage his
beautiful young daughter, went away.
"The proudest girl in England" Men
and women both gave that title to the
heiress of Ulyerscroft. Yet, strange to
say, her pride made her no enemies; 1t
seemed natural to her, and was the be-
coming shield TO her rare lovcliness.-
When her violet eyes looked calmly over
or at any persons whom she did not in
tend to recognise, the impression left up
on them was less OF pride than OF their
own unworthiness.
She was just nineteen, and for two years
she had been the queen OF the great world
of fashion, a queen such as had seldom
reigned before-->0 young so marvc,iously
fair, SO proud, 50 pure, SO utterly un-
spoiled by the homage that was enough to
make other women vain. Princes bowed
before her and sought her smiles; she gave
them no favor. Peers sought her society;
but not one could boast that the exquisite
face had ever frightened or sottened for
him. All homage, fiattery, aud compli-
ment seemed to fall from her and leave her
untouched. She was faultlessly beautiful,
with a fair patrician loneliness; she was a
wealthy heiress, and the daughter of one
of Engiand's most honored peers. She
was the worshiped queen Of the great
world, holding proud sovereignty. Week
~ Journals uid not hold out her protrait
as an inducement to purchasers. Her
photographs were not to be seen III every
snop window in London. Her reign WAS
of higher order. Noble aud learned men
went where they could meet hers for the
charm of her lovely face and her fresh ear
nest words. She WAS something higher
than ballroom belle; people caught
through her beautiful eyes glimpse OF
her pure soul. she mad been wooed, but
never won. Some OF the oldest titles in
England had been laid at her feet, some Of
the noblest men had wooed her; out her
heart had never been stirred; she had
loved no one. Calmly and proudly she had
declined all offers OF marriage, until peo-
pie began to wonder. Only once mad LORD
Audley venturcd on Il renionstrance, and
that was when she had refused the young
Duke OF Cortland.
"Why have you said NO to him, Liz
ias;" asked the Earl
..Because | couId do As | would with
him, papa. | could wind his Viii round
my little finger Just-see-as L WIND TINS
silk. When 1 marry, my husband must oe
my master"
That is, if he can, my dear" returned
the Earl douDtfuii!.
"He must, papa,' said the Deaut! lmpe-
riousiy. 1 snail never marry untll hhd
my master"
"Inen l fear, Lilias, you will never
marry at all" was the answer SraIely
given.
She laughed at such prophecy.
.Rely upon it, papa, / shall nave q mas