Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-10-22

MY aunt and cousin are, untortlm-
ately, at concert; they were not
aware OF your return. You are quite
well? l do not lind you so much
changed as l expected"
He looked ut the charming speaker
in mute wonder
Il beg partlon--I--I''--- began,
Her face WAS ripple Of smiles as
she regarded him, waiting fer him 10
proceed.
lis it possible / am SO changed that
YOU do rot know me? Have three
years agad Clarice Barton so much|
For the first time in his life Bernard
Norton lost his conmosurc. lie sank
into n chair -Nvith an ejaculation Of
wonder
"Clarice Barton he cried. why,
1t does not seem possible! When did
you retun?'
Nearly two months ago" Miss Bar
ton replied with her well-bred com
posture as she gracefully seated her
self. My dear mother died in Rome
last winter; Europe was uncomfortable
after that, so l came back TO America"
"But you are SO changed" Bernard
mummed, after expressing regret at
her loss.
Miss BartCn smiled sadly
''rhe years change us ALL she said;
they leave their mark.
oh, it is not that he FASTENED To
say. You look not day older than
when ! last saw you; but-pardon my
holiness you are wonderfully improy-
ed
~ am like my mothers people"
Claice answered quietly 'rhey all
mature late; and the climate Of Italy,
where l remained most of the time,
was very beneficial TO me. ] hope 10
return in the of few months
They fell to talking of their travels,
aud j. o'clock struck before Norton
thought they had been chatting twenty
minutes At that moment the hall-door
changed and steps came towards them.
lie arose TO his feet.
"Impossible?' hc said, looking at his
watch. 81 can not have been here an
hour, Really"
What he would have said remained
unspoken, for Mrs. MuuSon and Grace
appeared in the doorway. His betroth-
cd was very becomingly dressed, but
so faded that she seemed like the ghost
of her former self. Three years Of
society had done their work The
cheek had lost its bloom, the nose was
sharpened and the beautiful eyes lack
ed luster. AS she stood beside Clarice
for a moment she seemed utterly
eclipsed by her once plain cousin.
The meeting of the lovers was con
strained, and Bernlrd took his depart
ure, promising to call next day, which
he did. Grace informed him that he
must wait patiently for two more
weeks before he could see her often,
rs she had engagements for every
hour.
But you and CElrice can console
each other" she said 1T will hc
pleasant to compare notes of travel
Pcmard was not slow to avail him
self of this opportunity, and for two
uAlEuAe ullNl NtfhS liz NAihNls AtlAhNAAH
drove and chGttcd with the charming
woman whom he had once slighted
What a blind fool he had boon! It
was Clurice ne lovCd-ClariCe he had
always loved She was the boys fancy
and the mans ideal. 1t was this cul-
twed, interesting woman who suited
him, and not the faded, frivolous Grace
lie grew mad with pain and rage MS
he realized his position.
He walked into the parlor one after
noon, where ClaIice was playing soft
w.
do not let me disturb YOU" he said,
as she half rose from the piano. -
am in q mood to have my savage soul
soothed by music. Are the ladies out?'
81 think so" answered Clarice. Il
have just returned from my walk and
have not seen them"
She played on softly, her dark,
dreamy eyes fixed on space. Bernard
looked at her with brooding passion.
Suddenly he crossed over to whore she
sat
"Clarlce," he cried, my own Claricc,
] can not be longer SILENT l love you
1 have always loved you. Years ago
YOU cast me off for n foolish within
and | tried to content myself by form
ing other tics ! know now that
have never forgotten you. Clalfce take
me back again.
His voice was trembling with emo
tiol; but she stood cCldly regarding
lin, and her voice was very bard rs
she said:
"Nlr Norton, / can not excuse this
behavior ] loved you once very dear
ly, but you made me ashamed Of that
love and ! cast il out I have for
three years thought Of You as my
cousins betr0thed. aim lst her husband,
and you insult both her and me by
your conduct / supposed you knew
that | am to be married as soon as
my term Of mourning expires. Allow
me 10 pass"
She swept by him like a queen. The
alcove curtains parted and Grace stood
before him.
Il have heard oil. she said 60,