The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-12-22
Lost Lima,
Or
THE BITTER AND THE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHATTER XXI.-CoNrINuEp.

CHAPTER XXI.-CoNTNUED.
A few minutes before it was time to
20 to the dining hall Ray entered the
drawing-room, where most Of the guests
were assembled.
Jeanette was sitting by one Of the
north windows, while quite a group OF
ladies and gentlemen had gathered
round her. and all were laughing and
talking and did not see Ray when he first
entered. Neither did he see Jeanette,
but If was not her he was looking for,
it was q lovely flushed face, with dark,
dreamy eyes and a halo Of long golden
curls.
When he did not see that face among
the crowd q shadow of disappointment
rested on his broad brow. AS that
shadow gathered Jeanette saw his
fate, and, not knowing the cause, pre-
sumed it was because she had not no.
ticed him when he first entered the
room.
Poor foolish girl; what delusion
Every one was delighted to see Ray
and he of course, was equally pleased
that so many of his old friends had
come to the mansion for week or so.
He gave Jeanette his arm as they
went to the dining hall; just why he did
so he could not imagine.
Perhaps he was glad to see her, yet
he did not exactly feel happy.
"Ha! ha Ray, | have such lively
little Joke to tell you by-and-by, but it
would be impossible to mention it Just
now. Wait until after dinner, and
Will give you little secret the first
chance / get
"All right, Jeanette; but don't keep
me IN suspense too long. If the joke
is not on me- you know that I shall
enjoy it.
oh well, well see; but don't let's
say anything about it just now.
You viii feel better after dinner,
and viii be more able to have Il good
laugh"
The great dining-hal was filled with
brilliant guests, and mericr party
never sat at the tables of the Bristol
mansion. Later in the evening, other
guests arrived, and what a pretty pict-
ure the mansion made. Every room
in the house was brightly lighted and
trimmed with the richest flowers and
cyergrecns. The ballroom was one
perfect GLOW of beautiful bright flow
ers, and the tall marble pillars of
The halls were covered with flowers and
Cycrgrcons.
4 short time before all the guests
arrived, Mrs Bristol stole quietly from
her guests and went to see what had
become Of Lenora.
Il see that you are feeling better,
my dear, and now you are ready to go
down to the drawing-room, are you not?
Miss BAH and Jeanette are anxiouslv
waiting for YOU. / am so glad that you
are better"
Il 10 not wish to deceive YOU in any
way, Mrs. Bristol. L felt well enough
that | could have gone down to dinner,
but / was afraid; and, perhaps, the
worry and fear made me feel a little
weary. | could not have gone there
among so many strange. grand people.
for you know ! never was at ball be-
re and would not know how to act.
Had | not foolishly promised you that
Would go down tonight l should not
leave my room.
My dear child, you must not feel
that way, for | know that You Will feel
as much at home in the ballroom or
'
room. Your natural grace and easy
manner is something that you cannot
help, and that is all that is necessary F.;
SO come on with me now, dear"
Lenora followed her downstairs and
into the drawing-room. Mrs. Bristol
drew the trembling little hand through
her arm and led her across the room to
the little circle of which Jeanette was
the center.
Before they came in Jeanette had
placed herself in such position that
she could see Rays face; she wanted
to see what effect LenOra would have
on him.
1t was impossible for anyone to form
other than a favorable impression Of
this poor, beautiful girl as she entered.
She was looking lovely tonight. even
more beautiful than she had ever done
before 1t seemed that Mrs. Bristol
had tried to see how lovely she could
make her little pet look, for the dress
hat she had ordered from Paris was
rich and very expensive.
The overdress and train was the
palest blue silk, and the finest quality
that could be had. 1t fitted her slender
perfect form very closely, and the
snow-white throat and little diupled
arms were bare. Just before I.enora
went down stairs Mrs. Bristol clasped
a string OF the most beautiful pearls
around Lenoras neck, and on each soft.
plump wrist was n broad band OF
pearls, while IN the center was arosette
OF diamonds. There was also a dia-
mond cross fastened to the necklace of
pearls. The undelskirt of Lenora's
dress was white brocade velvet.
with a fan of pearls on the front
breadth. The oyerdress was beauti-
fully draped and fastened with rosettes
ri pearls. while on her little feet were
calmly white satin slippers. Those
long gold eurls We're carelesslv looped
mp and fastened with few half-blown
tea-roses.
As she entered the drawing-room she
looked like a fairy goddess of ligh'.
and RayPard Bristol never forgot the
sight as iong as he lived. 1t seemed
that his mother Ead arranged the sur
prise for his benefit. for as she entered
with Leaora on her arm she cast a swift
glance at her son. Ray was standing
IN the shade. in a curtained alcove. and
could see Lenora, but she could not see
aim. rs she entered the light shone
full upon her dazzling beauty; the
color and expression Of Rays face
changed.