Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-05-04

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at last,-this naughty girl who spun-
ed alike love and lovers, that Lord
Lynne loved her She had no reason
for it, save that his eyes had softened
when he gazed upon her, and his lips
had touched her hand; he was coming,
too to ask her for the waltz, the
dreamy delicious music of which had
just begun. If she had known he
sought her in compliance with
Agatha's request she would not have
smiled assent She would have
trampled upon her own heart rather
than have owed one act of kindness
from him to another.
Ignorance is sometimes happiness,
! and Inez was really happy as she
moved in unison with that music.
She was, as are all Spanish ladies' a
graceful dancer. No haste or
awkwardness-easy, and with grace
full dignity, she seemed to make the
music and the motion one. Lord Lynne
had never danced with her before; it
was her unusual superiority that made
him say THAT is the best waltz
over had in my life. If | were a
Spanish courtier, ] should say that
every day develops new gifts and
graces in my charming cousin
1t was simply a pretty compliment
airy speech, such as Lord Lynne had
often whispered to his partner. There
was nothing in it TO cause her heart
to thrill and tremble and her cheeks
to glow.
1t is pitiful to think how people can
help to delude themselves. While she,
with the whole force and strength of
her wild Southern nature, loved him,
and walked down the room by his side
as one in a dream, Lord Lynne was
saying to himself, Nov | will seek
my darling tonight will ask her to
be my wife"
Then BERTHE Bohun, half timidly,
came to beg for one dance. He was
dazzled by the brightness of the face
that smiled upon him.
you are very kind" he said, as he
led her to her place in the quadrille,
ito dance with me"
She looked at him in amazement as
she repeated, Kind; what do you
mean?'
IF | were a king with a crown, or
a general covered with orders and
medals, or a duke with the garter and
the ribbon of st. George he said
awkwardly, Il should feel more at my
case, and more worthy of dancing
with you"
1t was a bOyish speech, but it came
from the depths of an honest, boyish
heart He might be young, and
awkward, but he loved this beautiful
girl with the whole strength of his
simple, candid nature.
Inez laughed merrily at his ford
compliments delicious, silvery, rip
ping laugh; but it tingled his cheeks
with shame as he heard it.
"Ah, you are laughing at me" he
said, trying to conceal his mortifica-
ton. q thought you would laugh if
you ever knew ! dared to presume to
admire you"
Il ought to be very much obliged to
you, she said, the smile lingering on
her lips and in her eyes.
"Do not laugh at me again Miss
Lynne" said poor BERTHE. IF you re-
tain any recollection Of my folly, will
you also remember that my life is at
your service; and il ever the time
should come in which you require a
friend, with a strong will and brave
heart, will you remember me?"
She smiled again, but in after
years those words came back to her.
!. was a brilliant party assembled
that evening at Lynnewode. The
belle Of the room was undoubtedly
the beautiful, dark-eyed Andausian.
The gentlemen raved about her; the
ladies were not jealous Of her-she
was too unlike them Had she been
more commonplace she might have
stirred their envy; as II was all
smaller feelings were merged In sur
prise. She seemed careless Of the
homage so freely offered her Inez
had but one thought. one idea, one
one hope, and that was 10 win the
love of the man she loved
Agatha enjoyed the dancing; Allan
kept as much as possible by her side,
No one who saw him could doubt that
he loved this gentle girl who smiled
so kindly upon him.
The music Of another waltz sounded
more enchanting. more delicious, than
the first, and again Lord Lynne sought
lneZ
Once more to this wild, dreamy
music. she seemed 10 float as though
upon the air, with the face she loved
best on earth smiling upon her Then.
when he released her. her heart was
full Of happiness She could not re-
main there TO laugh and talk: she
aid not wish to hear the sound Of
another voice while his fingered up
on her ear She wanted to be alone
for a few minutes-alone with her
happiness and her love.
She passed rapidly through the ball
room and into the conservatory L
was dimly lighted. the air loaded
with luscious perfume. made her dizzy