Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-27


its opening. Poor Final the summer
had been TOO happy; her constant meet
ings with Cuthbert had caused her to
live in Eiysium, and almost without
knowing it. she had grown to love
him.
she awoke from her dreams of hap
piness when her cousin returned, feel
inc sure that Ges Gertrude was free. he
would marry her, and for three months
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 at Grey
stone as often as possible. made il very
difficult o, keep apart from him.
At last the eyendul day arrived.
There was to be a private view for the
gentry, and on that occasion Cuth-
bert statue was to be seen for the
first time; he had kept his studio care.
fully locked. and had resolutely declin-
ed to show il while in progress.
There was to be a bail at 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 Culhbert's kindly
interest in his townsmen praised rs it
deserved 10 be-
"But your statue is still yelled.
When are we to see ftp" asked Lady
Greystone, who with her party had
clustered around the spot where it
stood.
''Will your ladvship condescend to
unyeil itP' asked the sculptor, bowling.
with pleasure. 2 answered her lady
ship, and Withdrew the cloth with her
usual graceful movements.
4 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 were full of fruit.
which she seemed to be offering to the
spectator. But the face was not the
lovely, fauitess, Grecian features of the
Lady Gertrude, but the sweet and ten
der face of her cousin L ma.
Not feature OF the countesss we'll
bred couutenance changed as she grace
fully comp.imented the sculptor on MS
WORK. although her surprise and cha
grin were only equailed 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 omen and swal-
low her, and WAS thankful enough
when tho carriage was announced, and
the party left.
At first Lady GreysJono had intend-
ed 10 scold Eima well. but rejecting
that it would make 10 difference, she
congratulated her instead, and when,
with flaming checks and tear-stained
eyes, Ema disclaimed all idea of be-
ing Cdthbcrt's wife, her ladyship clos
ed her eyes and smiled as if her niece's
assertion were simply amusing.
That very afternoon. slipping away
from the guests who demanded his Mt
tention, and leaving it to his house
keeper to attend to the preparations
for the ball the squire appeared at
Greystone Hall, and after q short in
teryiew with the earl he asked for El-
ma.
She had gone out in the grounds and
could not be found, and he was walk
inc away disconsolate, feeling sure
that she would not appear at his ball
if he did not see her first, when he
heard the rustic OF dress near, and
saw her. thinking she had escaped him,
30 into the very arbor Gertrude had
sat in on that eyentlul morning in the
spring. lie was by her side in mo-
ment, and had taken both her hands.
Darling, forgive me for not asking
your consent he pleaded alt was
wrong, and ought TO have told you
before this morning.
"But Gertrude-you loved her"
began Elma, striving vainly to with
draw her hands.
81 did; but / found her heartess,
and Oh, my darling she never had my
heart as YOU nave! BE my wife, love.
or | swear no woman shall ever be!
will be content with my darling in
marble, if | cannot have her real self.
WHAT could She say?
Anyhow, they were married soon af-
ter, and all Groystone, Hayward, and
Burwood went wild with excitement.
1t was so delightful that the squire had
married thai darling Miss Ema instead
of the proud Lady Gertrude, who took
no more nteres; in tne poor than II
they had been SO many machines.
And Lady Gertrude is unmarried
still, and wishes she had been less am
bilious. while Cuthbert is only too
thankful that the gentle Elma, and not
her proud ladyship, was his ''model. "
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