The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-09-13

Aeck. the millionaire's daughter had still
distinct personality Of her own which
made her stand out clearly from thu
crowd OF fashionable women surround
ing her. Unlike these latter. her hail
was put hack from her forehead quite
simply. and twisted into q mass Of red
dish brown plaits at the back Of o very
neat head; and though she could nevel
by any chance lay claim to tho coveted
title Of beauty, there was that IN Janet
Harding's face which made whomsoevel
looked at It once. look at It again AND
again.
Its most striking characteristic was 9
resoluteness almost strange In the face
Of 80 young girl, and her gray eyes had
the same deep resolute look which
matched so well with II, and which
seemed to speak of great decision oil
character. But the bright, honest smile
which flashed all over her face as she
spoke in answer to Lady Knottinghame'e
somewhat ostentatious greeting seemed
to lessen her age by years. and render
her at once into shy child. rather thar
a great heiress who had already attained
to the dignity of twenty-one years.
"My youngest son must be presented
to you, Miss. Harding in place Of his
elder brother. who is deep in an ento.
biological discussion at the far end of the
room,"' said Lady Knottinghame apollo.
getically. Lord Francis Erldon-Miss
Harding"
The frank gray eyes that met his own
with quick, penetrating look had dis
composing effect on Lord Francis equa-
nimity, for they seemed to read his
very SOUL Moreover, he was unpleas-
antly conscious of Mrs. Fairfax g satirical
smiles and audible whispers to her toady
elect, SO he cut the ceremony Of this
public introduction most distinctly short.
Poor fellow, how he feels his unfort-
innate positionv' murmured the fair
Laura, tanning herself.
Could Miss Harding have overheard
the words? For one Instant, her small
red brown head turned itself in the d.
rection of the speaker, and her clear,
quiet eyes grasped every detail Of the
latter's identity, then she looked away
again, and answered calmly the polite
questions put to her by her hostess re-
specting her journey that day.
At dinner the heiress sat exactly OPP
posite to Lord Francis Erldon, and with
out making his observation Of her con-
spicuous, the latter lost no opportunity
of carefully studying every word and
look of his vis-a-vis, and more than once
he found himself listening with real in
terest to her clear, low voice, as she strove
to make her somewhat quaint ideas on
things in general Ineligible to the
very ordinary stamp of gentlemanly
young noodle who had been appointed
by Lady Knottinghame to escort her into
dinner.
"She's no fool" thought my Lord
Francis to himself with great satisfac-
ton. For he was quite old and expert
enced enough to know that ''brains" will
outlive "beauty" and must always con-
quer in the long run, and a good COM
panion would be of more value in ainan's
life than faultless beauty if accompanied
by lack Of wisdom and common sense.
And during the long half hour which
in the course Of the evening he devoted
to the entertainment of the Young
stranger, his favorable opinion Of
her grew each moment stronger, for
her manner was graceful and per-
fectly unaffected, and her bright,
ringing laugh fell merrily on thk ear,
whilst every word she spoke con iaced]
him mote ard more that'she Was (BftYiN
talking to- an attribute which ladies'
who rely on their character for being
beauties" are apt only too often to
underrate.
"Is that the only answer you will give
meY and Lord Francis Erldon's tone of
wrathful bitterness is in no way "put
on" as he stands confronting the million
aires daughter on the wide green terrace
which leads to the far famed rose garden
at Erldon house.
1.-THE only one, Lord Francis" answers
Janet Harding steadily. Her hands are
full of beautiful Gloire de Dion roses
that the hot September sun has brought
out in all their glory once more, and
she buries her face in their fragrant
clusters as she speaks-possibly to hide
lips which will tremble and eyes which
will fill with tears, for all her pride.
"You might at least tell me why it is
so absolutely impossible for you to en-
terrain the idea Of marrying me?" pur-
sues Francis Erldon with gloomy
sarcasm. The rejection of his suit Is
causing him far deeper pain than he
cares to own, not on the score of vanity,
for to do him justice he is quite above SOL
petty reason as that-but he has learned
to like the girl honestly for herself alone,
and of late her gray eyes have had a far
greater fascination for him than her
golden wealth. Also the blow is an ut
terly unexpected one, for without being
a vain man. he cannot fail to know that
he is not unpopular with women in gen.
eral, and moreover that this woman In |
particular has always appeared to be
peculiarly bright and happy whenever
have thrown them to-
gether and left them to their own society. |
So he considers himself an exceedingly
i'll used man on the whole. and digs his |
heel into the velvet sward with d vicious
that causes ugly marks on
its smooth green surface, and will bring
grief to the heart of Lord Knotting-
names head gardner on the morrow.
miss Harding. can you not give me
q more definite reason for your re-
fusal of mel" repeats Lord Francis
angrily. Say straight out that you hate
me, and be honest.
II don't hate YOU" and Janet's voice
slightly; then she looks him
straight in the face with her clear true
ayes and speaks out frankly: but
must tell you that | know you would
never have thought of marrying me If
had not been rich; and. Lord Francis,
am too proud to buy what should be
given me as my WOmans riphti.