Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-10-17
ON Unnatural Bonoass.

himself down upon an ottoman near
her. An awkward little silence en-
sued
''Ruy," said her l2dyship, breaking
it, and doing her best to speak
calmly, you must not mind my say
ing that | consider this too bad Of
you This is your last evening at
Oldfriars, and.-and since dinner"
well, motherY"
TYou have been with Alicia Leigh. :"
well, mother?" Ruy said again.
Lady Penrith's foot was restlessly
tapping the floor; the frown on her
brow was deepening.
ut is to- be hoped" she said, hastily,
"that this folly will be ended tomor-
row. ! have been panied by 1t, as
you well know, more than words can
express. have been panied to think
that you should have forgotten your
position 50 far as to act as you have
done toward Alicia Lelgh--a girl who
has been In my service scarcely a
month, who Is no more than q com
mon servant In your own household.
Where Is your pride, your self
respect, Ruy, that you should have
stopped 50 low"
Ruy Penrith had leaped to his feet.
His handsome face was deadly pale.
The strong passion, the selishness,
and perhaps the vein Of actual cru
city which until now had been
slumbering rnproyoked unsupported
beneath the calm surfSce of his easy
going nature. were stirred to fierce
life at last. !.
II forbid you, though you are my
mother" he cried in quiyering tones
ito utter another word against Alicia
Leigh! Tonight l have told her that
love her with my whole neart, and
she Heaven bless her! has promised
to be my wife. When | return from
abroad | shall make her mistress Of
Oldfriars."
Lady Penrith had risea likewise, her
rich dark gown rustling about her
queenly form, and had grasped for
momentary support the crimson back
Of her arm chair. In the dusk her
eyes shone terribly: her mouth
looked drawn and rigid. She was too
angry to reason quietly with her yell
lowhaired boy, or perhaps she was
aware that quiet reasoning would be
Of no avail.
And so, Ruy," she said then, with
infinite scon, you will marry your
mothers maid--will defy the opinion
OF the world, and marry your mothers
maid?"
Il care not fig for the opinion of
the world" fumed the lad. ''and shall
marry Alicia Leigh. We are both
young, we love each other dearly.
What should we care If we are happy
ourselvesw
"And So" said Lady Penrith in the
same constrained tone, You will raise
common mental 10 the dignity of
chatelaine? King Cophetua's vagaries
may he all very we'll in romance, hut
in real life they are ridiculous. Ruy."
do not try me too far" Sir Ruy re-
turned, with forced serenity. II can
bear good deal, mother but there
are limits at all times o a mans for
hearance Alicia Is no mental, albeit
--an orphan in despair Of ever find
ing more corgenial employment-she
came to Oldfriars as your maid. She
Is beautiful. very beautiful, she has
received the education of a gentle
woman, her mind is that Of gentle
woman There is no sin in being
compelled TO earn ones daily bread
when one must either work or starye,
suppose. Neither il there any sin, :
continued the lad, illogcally, Sin our
strong affection for each other
"Shc leaves OldfrlarS tomorrow,
said Lady Penrith, passionately.
"She shall not remain here with me-
''You seem to forget that Oldfriars
is my house, mother. and not yours,
young Ruy answered. firmly. Alicia
remains here. under your protection
hope until | come back from Nor
mandy; then, II all be we'll
No no." cried the mother, "she is
no mate for You. 1t shall never be.
Ruy; swear It What Will the world
say Of snrh 4 thing ~ 4 disgrace 50
lasting to the honor OF the Penriths?
Come what may, you shall never
marry Alicia Leigh"
Ana Tho next moment her strength
ANA passion alike forSaking her Ut
terly, Lady Penrith had dropped
heavily Into her chair by the painted
window, AMI given vent to an hyster-
ical hurst vi tears This sudden help
le''S paroNysm Of weeping was TOO
much for Ruy; the sight Of it softened
him. cooled his eholor, more quickly
than anything else could have done
IIc knelt at hits mothers feet, he pos
seSSel himself &c A while trembling
hand lhe Jew els upon It flashed in the
gloom, aud causm the pale Eight of
tlie peepins stars.
4 hat flew past the ancient mul.
Toned easement ,he Leaves aud ten.
drills II a summer ereeper tapped with