Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-05-11
CHAPTER TX.

Agatha was SOrelN puzzled. Sne
could not understand what Lord
Lynne had meant. Why had he taken
her into the conservatory purposely to
speak to her? Why had he given her
that flower? What answer did he
want, which was of so little impor
lance to him that he had left without
even a message for her?
She had never been a vain girl; il
was not in her to think much of her
own powers and gifts; she had not
felt quite sure that Lord Lynne loved
her. In her sweet humility, it did
not seem natural to her that he should
prefer one like herself to her beautiful
sister He was always kind and
tender; but then he had always been
so; during her fathers lifetime he had
petted and loved her. What could he
have meant? She wished Evelyn
Leigh had waited three minutes longer
before she had interrupted them.
you know what have brought you
here to say" he had said to her.
Nay, that she did not. Her heart
and warmed and thrilled when he
uttered the words-a sweet, vague
hope had come to her-but she was
not sure Had he brought her there
to tell her that he loved her? 1t
seemed like it. At the time she had
felt sure. Yet it could not be so; or
why had he gone away that morning
without waitins for her to give him
either the flower or any answer at
all? 1t was simply incomprehensible.
Only one thing was plain-he did not
love her, and he had not meant that.
All day Inez watched her sisters
face; 1t was paler, and had lost some
thing Of its bright, happy expression;
there seemed to be wondering ques-
ton always in her eyes.
when is Lord Lynne coming
back? she heard Agatha asking Mrs.
Lynne.
Il hardly know" replied his
mother He left rather suddenly; he
did not say much to me. He spoke Of
going to Scotland for shooting in Sep
TENDER"
perhaps he will not come back I'M
til after then" said Agatha, gently.
She would have given much to under
stand his strange behavior.
Il hate lies" said Inez Lynne to
! herself, they blister and burn my
| hps,-they make me hate and scorn
myself, but l must imply, even If |
DO not tell, one more"
She sought her sisters room again
that evening All day she had watched
| the pain and wonder in that gentle
1 face She saw that in some measure
her simple guileless sister must be
satisfied. If she were allowed to go on
wondering what Lord Lynne had
meant, she would probably ask him
| The first time they met.
Il must manage two things She
said to herself Il must satisfy her
and | must prevent them from meet
| ing again until / am his betrothed
/ wife"
The inhexible viii, the iron resolu-
ton. the dauntless spirit never failed.
1 She had good qualities; used for a
/ GOOD purpose. they might have made
Inez Lynne remarkable even in re-
markable age; as it was, they helped
to lose her. She hated herself with a
bitter hatred for the part she had
played, and for The part she had yet
! 10 play.
Send away your maid, Agatha" she
said, "and let us have a chat am
/ not I'm the least tired"
Agatha wondered again at her Sis
ter's kindness, and felt a glow Of
/ happiness, believing that she was be-
1 ginning to love her at last.
Let us sit by the window" said
lnez; y am never tired Of watching
the moonlight on those trees"
Agatha drew her chair to the win
dow and they sat side by side, the
betrayer and the betrayed. There was
a strange look on the beautiful South
ern face something Of shame and Of
pain. Her breath seemed to come IN
thick. hot gasps, when Agatha laid
her hand caressinEly upon her shout
der. and said, 1T is delightful to have
a sister: after all, Inez. no one in the
world can be quite like ones own
sister"
But I am not your own sister
said Inez.
do not say so. replied Agatha
with sound Of reproach in her gentle
voice. II never remember that we had
not one mother"
81 remember it. said Inez. and hei
face grew dark with the words. They
seemed TO nerve her and give back
the resolution that the sight Of that
fair young head resting upon her
shoulder had half shaken.
Agatha" she said suddenly, "ont
year OF the time my father named has
! expired
Yes. replied her sister, and tht
words seemed very much like long
drawn sigh.
She felt her sisters breath like Z
bot. scorching fame upon her cheek
: She looked Up and saw the beautiful
fare all glowing
tn be Continued