Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-08-12
CHAPTER TX.

highneSS the Prince de Ferr0S TO make
the offer of his hand to his niece, Miss
Iennox. He spoke in rapturous terms of
his lovc-thcre had never been any love
since the world began like his; as for set
Elements. for one so beautiful and so fair
he would offer all that he had If she would
but take it.
Peter Lcnnox was touched as he read
the princes letter-the millionaire, the
great unbelicver in the love of women or
the friendship of men, was touched. In
some vague way it seemed to HIM that
he held living human heart in his mana.
Iii was noble offer. TO be Princess dc
Ecrros, to be queen of Il large ltallan
domain, meant much. But if Beatrix be-
came Princess de Fcrros, farewell to all
his dreams Of Erceldean!
edo YOU care for him, Beatrix!' was
the first question that Lady Lennox ask
ed There was an expression of unwont-
ell WEAKNESS in the proud, dark eyes or
ahe girl as she replied:
mo, mamma-in fact, l care for no
man."
'If you do not love him, Beatrix, and
are not ambitious Of shining as Princess
de Fcrros,' said Peter Lennox, SAY,
No to him, my dear You could not look
after the interests Of Ercedean in Italy
The young beauty bent down and kissed
her uncle's gray, grim face.
II am glad to please you, uncle she
ericd-"I am glad to do something that
will show that | am grateful for your
goodness, that share your interests. that
the honor and glory of Erccldean are far
,lenrer TO me than any earthly honor that
could bcfal myself l am pleased to re-
nouuce my princely lover, with his an
Gent title. his handsome face, his chival-
rous manner and his vast possessions, for
the welfare of Erceldean." And Peter
l.eunox, in his gratitude, kissed his niece
more feryently than he had kissed anyone
yet.
So the prince received the kindest letter
that could be written under the clrcum-
stances. Kind as it was, 1t almost drove
him mad. He could not bear the thought
of losing the stately young beauty on
whom he had fixed his whole heart. lie
met her that same evening ut soiree Civ
on by one of the leaders of fashion. She
was about to pass him with n bow and n
smile. when something in the expression
of his face. so wistful, so full Of longing
MAIN. seemed to strike her. She stopped
and smoke to him; and then, encouraged
Uy her kindness, he asked her to walk
with him through the brilliantly lighted
rooms.
."phere is a piece of sculpture here, Miss
Tcnnox," he said, as they found them
selves in n deserted room leading out of
the picture gallery, that / should like
TO show YOU. 1t was the result Of years
OF long study and hard labor, and is the
only work the young sculptor ever produc-
ed. Can you sympathize with life that
seems to empty itself, to pour itself out in
enc grand effort, and then ceases to ex-
ist?'
Il think not" she replied slowly. II
would rather husband my resources than
exhaust my life in single effort"
Still there is something very grand in
It. IL Leonardo da Vinci had died after
painting only The Last Supper If
uaydn had succumbed after writing moth
ING but the Creation if Canova's artistic
career had ended with the production of
his Venus we should have loved such
men perhaps better for seeming to have
given their lives in one grand effort. You
would find it still more difficult, Miss Len
nox. to believe in any mans expending
his life in one great love-" he concluded,
as they stood in an alcove uncovered
with exotics.
II do not believe in love ut all, prince.
An that l have seen Of it since l have
avcd in world that never ceases talking
of il has been Il caricature.'
AYou never speak untruthfully," he said
-"of that | am quite sure. And you tell
me that you do not believe in lover"
~ have seen none that l believe in
ret" she replied. II have heard the word
applied to every kind of meanness, to
every caprice to whims of all kinds, even
III sin: but of real love I have seen moth
ing
.Great haevens!" he cried, II stand be.
sore you, ready to die for you; praying
you to accept my life, my love, my for
tune, my name, to take all that l am or
have, and you tell me you do not believe
sn love-"
II will hope it is a fancy, prince:
should not like to think that you had
thrown all the strength and energy of
your life into pursuit which can never
De successful"
.Why should it not be successful?'' he
asked, gently, bending his face so that he
could look into hers-few women could
have resisted the musical voice or the
handsome face. Miss Lennox, you are
heautiful as dream. l can make you
queen OF splendid domain. Ferros is
anc OF the loveliest parts of Italy. l love
you so well that | would devote every
Eoment of my life to you'll would fore
stall your every wish--cvery desire of
ysar heart should be fulfilled. Will you
pat my love to the test?"
II cannot. prince replied Beatrix. az
AeIieve there are somc exceptions. / will
Re more lenient for the future. l will
.Sndge less harshly. There may-it is just
unssiblc-be few cases where love is in
&eed genuine. l will admit that yours is
~ Even then cannot accept 1t"
Miss Lennox," he said, II shall not
take your nay l viii not give up the
hssa of winning you; to lose the hope Of
tAAt would be to lose my life. Mine may
re-