Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-08-01

Read the Lotus Eaters said Bea-
trice. This is morning 20 sit and
dream: no one could work.
And MS he read, she listened, a
dreamy. fan, away look upon her beau
tiful face.
| noticed at the time that she kept
one hand III the water, as though its
GOODNESS were pleasant 70 her. On her
wrist was, as usual, gold bracelet
containing a portrait of her fair young
mother dead so many years beforel
Beatrice Stuart treasured this bracelet
Il never saw her without 1t. No mat
ter how superbly she was dressed, or
what other ornaments she wore, the
plain gold bracelet was never forgot
ten. We were in the middle Of the
lake, where the water was deepest,
when cry of distress from Beatrice
startled me.
Paul" she cried, 'what shall | do?
| have dropped my bracelet into the
lake
| stopped rowing at once.
ut held my mothers portrait she
said, 'and | have no other"
Il thought it likely to drop on re-
marked Lord Hardley. 1T IL always
risky to hold ones hand over the edge
of a boat, rs you were doing
''Why did you not warn me-" She
asked, with flashing, hlf-scoInful
glance at him.
Ladies' are not always willing to
take advice" he replied, carelessly.
Lord Hardley," said Beatrice, I'M
petuously, ''do you know | would al,
most as soon have fallen into the lake
myself rs have lost my bracelet there
He laughed and made a testing re-
mark about Il fair Lady Of the Lake
l shall not soon forget the glance she
gave him.
Pray resume your book" she said,
the loss Of my dearest earthly treas
ure is a matter of small importance.
He smiled again, and almost hated
him for it. After a few minutes, no
ticing that Beatrice looked tired, in
duced her to return to the house
AS | helped her on to the little land
ing stage, 1 saw, for the first time,
tears cleaning in her dark eyes. That
sight determined me- Lord Harlley
remained behind to fasten the boat,
and / asked him If he would not like
to try to recover Miss Stuart's brace
let
II should like to find her another
just like it, il that would give her any
pleasure" he replied; but as for div
ing to the bottom of the lake to recover
a woman's toy, should be very sorry
to give myself SO much trouble"
1T would be an act of chiyalry," /
said. curly.
THANK heaven, chi galry is out of
fashion, and common sense has taken
its place There are few rash knights
to be found III these eaSy-going mod
ern times, he replied, with half
sneering laugh.
! had always been a good swimmer,
and was very expert in diving. l de-
termined to try 10 recover Beatrice
Stuart's bracelet, let the risk be what
it might. Had / not seen tears in the
eyes | loved so we'll? What would |
not do to drive them away?
The next morning. at early dawn,
rose for the task. One of the gar
deners, an energetic young fellow, was
to accompany me. | need not describe
my trials and failures; twice ! nearly
lost my life, but the victory was won
at length, and once again ! held Bea.
trice Stnart's treasured bracelet in my
hand. How literally | rewarded the
man who had assisted me, How
wildlyI kissed the gold circlet so often
claSped upon the round white arm |
had never touched! 1t looked none the
worse for its immersion. After a lit
tie reflection, / placed it in the midst
Of bouquet of white lilies, and laid
it where Beatrice must see It when
she came down to breakfast.
| shall never forget the look OF
startled joy on her lovely face.
'Who recovered it, Paul?" she said.
WAS ii your
Yes" / answered, and smiled, my
lips trembling with passionate words
that | dared not utter.
''You are a brave fellow" she said,
"brave as a knight of olden time.
Thank you. | shall prize my bracelet
doubly now"
l remember murmuring that | should
be willing TO lay down my life for her
IL it's sacrifice could make her one
whit happier. l thought she would
look eoldly on my presumption; but.
instead, deep flush covered her face
ana her eyes dropped, was saved
from further madness by the entrance
OF Hugh Stuart. When Lord Hardiey
saw the bracelet he looked half sur
prised, ard turning to me with a mock
ing smile asked if | was Don Qulxote
IN disguise.
With keen eyes | watched Lord
Hardley's wooing. | had no hope for
myself; no selfish thought or motive
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