Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-02-18

However, he had many other matters
to occupy his mind at this juncture,
and IL was not in her nature to bea-
malice, so the ccolness blew over.
He had been very much astonished
the first time he saw his sister amer
her visit OF inquiry to find that Lady
Gwenap had modified her views con-
siderably concerning the projected
alliance with Patrice. She spoke ad-
miringly OF Patrice, and told him she
"felt sure he would be very proud OF
his wife, for The latter would undoubt-
edly be a social success this being the
loftiest height which Lady Gwenap's
imagination conceived it possible for a
woman 20 scale. He accepted this fia,-
tering tribute to his taste anably. AT
his engagement come 10 nothing AFTER
all. now that Maggie had withdrawn
her opposition 10 it.
Her next remark about Patrice was
not 50 flattering to him.
Il was disguised to see an emerald
ring exactly like the one that wretched
woman gave you sparkling on her pref
ty little finger What on earth made
you take that as the model for your
engagement ring. Sbolto?" she asked,
abruptly.
Il didn't take II as a model. | was
short OF cash, as usual, at the time,
and gave her the ring itself. She's
fond Of emeralds. And as for the wo-
man who gave IL 10 me being a
'wretched woman she was no worse
than the majority OF her sex. Her
worst fault was Icing fond of me"
Fond of YOU You were baby
when the horrible old harridan got
hold Of you and nearly persuaded you
into marrying her, and all the while
she had husband alive somewhere or
other-dong time in some penal set
Element, probably" she said with
strong scorn.
well she's gone out Of my life,
he said. seatimentaily, "and the ring
is none the worse for having been
given to me by her. It's lovely
emerald"
II wish you had thrown it into the
gutter instead of giving 1t TO your
future wife. You will soon be able TO
afford to give her a much better one,
Sir Andrew has got you the post and
you're to have a thousand year.
Where shall | be quartered?'' he
asked, quickly A salary Of thous-
and a year had been far beyond his
widest expectations until recently.
But now that he was sure OF 1t he be-
gan to be critical as to the locality in
which he would be called upon to live.
Here In London" she laughed. Sir
Andrew has been pleased to make a
little mystery about it, but in reality
he is your employer. You are to be
the head of one of the departments OF
his London branch and your work Will
be chiefly clerical
He was silent. The thought as
Sir Andrew had the matter in his own
hands he might have done something
better for him" was depressing him.
! well, Sholto, you don't seem over
| joyed," Lady Gwenap said, feeling
slightly piquad.
oh yes, am, of course; it's a capt.
tai thing for me, and suppose it will
lead to something better?" he said,
hurriedly.
81 really don't know, Sholto; | did
not make such suggestion to Sir
Andrew when he told me. He would
have thought me grasping If | did
"Oh, of course, of course; and am
profoundly grateful"
1--WE want you to dine here tonight.
wonder if Patrice Laugherne could
come too? When do you think OF
marrying"
81 don't know; she is raising all sorts
of obstacles" he said, mendaciously.
She u raising cb5tacles?"
Yes, about her father Swears she
won't leave him, and all that kind of
thing"
Lazy Gwelap knit her fair brows
and POWDERED deeply over her brothers
statement, though she did not quite be-
lieve it. "There VII be trouble with
Sir Andrew about this engagement be-
| fore long" was The thought that cross
/ ed her mind.
you seemed to have dropped your
/ desire to see me WOO and wed the pretty
/ little widow he sale, half-chaffingly.
How is that, Maggie? Have you two
| come to loggerheads?'
Not at all, but Sir Andrew is We
| hemently opposed to It, and | am nos
fool enough to run counter to his
wishes, If you take my advice. You
will follow my example, Sholto,"
It's easy to give advice | can give
masses Of 70, OF the most superior quail
| ty," he said, lightly; but he deemed it
/ prodent TO say no more about the
widow just hen
/ ITO BE Contnued)