Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-04-23
continual.

E'ranceS smiled and looked away TOT
moment: and in that moment Made
,ina discerned the alteration Of which
Che smoke. The bloom had not faded
from Lady Frances Alymer's cheek and
vet something of her youth was already
cone there was a shade of care or sor-
now in her eyes and little OF her i'm
ne+uosity had vanished. But the in
creased gentleness did not impair her
charm in Madelines eyes.
And what do you think of Con-
stance? Tell me-" %h
she is very handsome"
But harder, is she not? Or is it
fancy?"
Il think you are right"
And you know what gossip says
about her-that she is to marry Mr.
Lancelot Vanbrugh."
Il have heard so, but l can't believe
It,"
Why not?" said Frances, curiously
and Madeline scarcely knew how to re-
ply.
Il scarcely think that they are suited
TO each other" she said.
Well, they are not much alike; but
suppose it would be a suitable mar
rage in one sense; as Constance will
have some money and Lancelot will
have the Aldersleigh estate"
rs Lancelot's father back yet?' said
Madeline, who did not want to discuss
the prospects of his marriage with Con-
ha1inrir1or - CHI t1,o+ IL
impossible.
Lady Frances shook her head. mot
yet, he is expected soon," she answered
in a very quiet voice.
Are they good friends now?"
Il hope they will be, when Col. Van
brugh comes back. 1t is sad to SEQ
such division in a family"
Just then Constance began to play
and sing and the two girls returned
TO the drawingroom.
Constance had well-trained, mezzo-
Soprano voice rather thin in quality,
but she sang with correctness and some
measure of expression. Remembering
school days, when music of all kinds
had been Miss ESler's bugbear, Made
line was amazed at her proficiency.
She was more amused, however, than
amazed by Constance's evident satisfac-
ton with her own performance; she had
never been lacking in belief in herself.
1t was with an air of supreme conde-
seension that she asked Madeline to
sing
Madeline's voice was one of her
strong points. 1t was not so powerful
as to suggest dreams of success as
public singer but it was pure sweet,
with pathetic thrill which was apt
to bring tears to the listeners eyes.
Frances offered to play her accompani-
ment and the men trooped in from the
dinng-room when those exquisite bird
like notes penetrated to their ears. She
sang first Of all beautiful German
composition and then, when asked to
perform once more, she glided into the
piaintiye air of "Auld Robin Gray"
Ihe tender melancholy of the words
and the feeling which the singer threw
into them electrified the company
People crowded round the piano to
thank her and to say how delightful
were these simple Scotch or English
ballads. Lord Sewerage, a fiorid, bald
headed, kindly man, added his CON-
Paments to the rest.
You are quite right in choosing
songs Of that kind if you want to please
Your hearers. Miss Despard,'' he said
hey give far more pleasure than
elaborate French or German things"
nat young lady sings very charm
lngly,' said the countess to Lady Esler
Y q gracious tone. did hear that she
vas a relative of yours?'
les; a great-niece Madeline Arm
ssFong's daughter"
You done say so?" said Lady Ste
eepage. looking at Madeline through
aeF eyeglass. Not much likeness, is
thereg"
don't know the coloring is very
aAe said Lady Esler, stif1y.
Ia, but the features are not. This
grI is prettier than your niece, IL L
may be allowed to say 50. Introduce
aeF to me, Selma"
Lady Esler complied. but by the icy
ele7 Of her voice and the rigidity OF
WIT attitude it was very plain that she
was annoyed. The countess was very
s4a.ioas 70 Madeline, much to Lady
RANGES delight, and did not In the
.sasi recognize the fact that Madeline
lii lhe girl whom she had once de-
I vas not quite the proper young
Is'a for her beloved Frances to
asl The evening was over. Lady
sssf oade her great-niece a cold good
sls ana sailed away to her own
Madeline stayed behind a
aiolhen' p collect her music. As she
.'''l " the grand piano, turning over
sttered sheets, she heard theI
4 2i ? dress, the sound Of voice
HI conservatory Looking up, she
shat Constance and Lancelot were
hg there. Surely her hand was