Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-01-02

/ broWs.
Certainly very few people were sea-
| tered about the lawn or seated on the
benches which were placed for the WIS.,
itors' use. Lady Esler put up her eye
| glass and looked around. Lady steven
age frowned little. She was afraid
that Rogers party was not going 70
be a success.
Col. Vanbrugh, himself, however,
showed no signs OF perturbation as he
came to meet her. His dark face had
more animation and brightness in It
than usual; his head was held high
and his eyes spanked Lady Frances
looked at him wistfully, missing the
usual resemblance to her favorite
picture, yet not displeased with the Vi
vacity which he displayed. She was
very sympathetic little person and she
liked TO see her friends happy. There
was something about Col. Vanbrugh's
face and manner which had always
made her count him as friend.
She noticed that Lance's handsome
face, usually so bright. was full OF
storms, and she resolved to ask him
Why for she and Lance were old play
mates, and had few secrets from one
another. But at present she had to
stay with her mother; and she was q
little discomposed Oh looking round 10
find that Constance had found another
companion, with whom she was begin
ming TO make the tour Of the garden.
who is the man Constance is walk
ing WITH" she asked of her mother
In an undertone
II think he Is French gentleman,
who is staying with Col Vanbrugh for
time as his secretary" said Lady
Stevenage.
Dear me, said Lady Frances, why
does Col. Vanbrugh want secretary? p
"IIe Is Lance's tutor as well, ! be-
lieve," said her mother smiling little.
so that Is why Lance looks so
CROSSE" asked Frances. But Lady Stew
enage lad turned TO speak to neigh
Dor end could attend no longer TO her
daughters questions And game at
tennis having been proposed the girl
eagerly accepted an invitation to play
and secretly congratulated herself on
not wearing fine frock like that of
Constance, but one in which she could
use her arms and feet with perfect
ease Poor Constance. How dull Of
her" she said to herself.
Perhaps Constance was NOT so dull as
Lady Frances thought. But II is to be
questioned whether she enjoyed herself
SO much. Frances played capital
game with Lance for her partner,
against a couple of her acquaintance
from town, whom she was delighted
to beat And when the game was over
she came back quite innocently and
gayly TO her mothers side, with an
evident appreciation of her mothers So
ciety, which caused Lady Esler to look
at her in some Amusement Constance
never cared for her society, although
she had been brought up from her
babyhood in the Esler's house and
/ treated as their only and petted child.
She was the daughter of Lord Eslers
fGyorite nephew, who had died with
his wife from cholera at an obscure
station on the Indian frontier. They
/ had previously sent their one child TO
\ the Eslers, and when Constance was
/ left alone In the world Lord Esler had
announced TO his wife his intention Of
bringing her up as their own. Lady
\ tEsler had not received this announce
ment with any enthusiasm, but neither
4 had She opposed IT, They had no
i children, no very near relations, except
4 her brother, Gen, Armstrong. whose
4 disastrously. II Constance had been a
I boy Lady Esler would have been better
/ pleased. as she could then have Inherit
Ell the title failing male heirs, the title
! would become extinct and in earlier
days both Lord and Lady Esler had
( hoped for its continuance. Lord Es-
ler's father had been the first baron
and ii was disappointment 10 think
that there would not be third. But
as there was nobody bat Constance, il
was generally supposed that she would
inherit the Esler's wealth, If she could
not inherit their patent OF nobility.
4 There was no one else, the county said
on whom the Eslers could bestow it.
And Constance was considered an heir
ess accordingly.
As she grew up Lady Eser became
4 exceedingly proud Of her grace and
beauty In her cold way she even grew
fond Of Constance and certainly no girl
was ever more petted ana INDUCED
Friends indeed sometimes whispered
that Constance was unhearably spoiled
not that she was kissed and fondled,
hui that she expected everything to
give way before her aud to have the
best Of everything. Pretty dresses.
costly toys the best governesses and
masters. the most suitable and expen-
sive maidsall these came to Con-
stance as a matter " course. Her life
was full OF sunshine and vet. as even
Lady Esler came to say, Constance
y could never be satisfied She was never
happy, never grateful, never content.
About i year before Col yanbrugh' !
return g England. however. change
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