Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-04-27

we shall manage it, I'm sure: and,
Mr.. Leigh, you may be a connoisseur
in such things, but it does not seem to
me that young ladies usually stand
with open eyes to hear such speeches
as Romeo made"
But this is not real" said Allan in
self defence, lit is only acting" and
his words, although true, were like
a sharp dagger to the passionate heart
so nearly betrayed
1t was only acting" and yet it was
all strangely real to her. She lulled
herself with sweet dreams. she cheat
ed herself into believing it was real,
while Lord Lynne was only waiting
until the evening of the fete to ask
Agatha to be his wife.
BERTHE Bohun was handsome,
careless young fellow. who had just
passed his examination and was now
at home at Bohun Court awaiting
commission, for which his father had
applied. He was a brave honorable
man, a good son to the aged father
who loved him better than anything
in the world. He was charmed with
the brilliant society at Lynnewolde;
the beautiful Andalusian had most
ardent wroshipper in BERTHE Bohun.
He would have suffered any hardship.
have borne any peril. have risked any
ana everything 10 win one loo6 from
those bright eyes. one smile from
those perfect lips; but neither look
nor smile came TO him. Iuez received
his homage, as she did the homage of
all other men, as something that was
simply her due. She would nave
laughed with scorn if any one had
told her that the handsome young fell
low loved her She talked to him
about his profession at times until
the boys heart glowed ana he wished
-ah, what vain wishes he habitat
she were a captive, and he the knight
who rescued her; that she were
queen and he might fight and die for
her
But in his widest dream no thought,
no hope, ever came to BERTHE Bohun or
winning this magnificent woman and
making her his wife Sometimes,
after she had been unusually kind to
him, he would resolve that before
he rode away to war" he would tell
her how mad and foolish he had been,
and ask her to bid him God Speed"
But the marching order was very long
in coming, and poor BERTHE dreamed
the summer away at the syren's feet.
Evelyn Leigh was pretty lively
girl of nineteen-just the least in the
world given to flirting, and some
what inclined, Allan feared, to be
fast-still, the pretty face and gay
lively manner had many admirers.
Isabel Dacre was a tall. stately
brunette, very good humored, and
given to great admiration Of every
thing at Lynnewolde, from the young
lord to his beautiful cousin. She had
not much intellect; but then, as Allan
Leigh said. she had figure, and that
was very requisite in getting up good
tableau.
The invitations to Lynnewolde were
issued for the eleventh of August, and
very little else save rhis coming fete
was spoken of, either in the Hall or
out of it. Every one anticipated
dancing party; the tableauX were to
be surprise. Yet many wondered
why they were requested to be at the
Hall at nine punctually.
Under the able superintendent of
Allan Leigh the drawing rooms were
most effectively arranged for the
tableauX; the inner and smaller one
vas divided from the large room by a
long sweeping curtain Of rich crimson
silk; kind OF stage had been erected,
and in the large room the chairs for
the guests were arranged in a circle.
Il hope it will all go off well, said
Agatha to Lord Lynne, on the morn
ing of the eventful eleventh.
Never fdget, little cousin" he re-
piled, with smile. Even supposing
there should be neither wit nor sense,
wherever there are flowers. lights, and
music, people amuse themselves, and
famously too"
soon after elght the roll OF car
rages began and burden after burden
was deposited az the Hail door. The
drawing-room soon filed There was
much curiosity as to the curtain and
what it screened. The ladies besieged
Lord Lynne, anxious to know what
charming surprise he had prepared
for them; but he refused to answer
any questions, telling them. that.
when the clock struck nine, they
would have the most complete reply
When tho silver chimes Of the lit
tie clock rang out that mystic hour
the lights in the room were sub
dued, there was a soft sound Of
music and the curtain was drawn up
on one Of the prettiest tableaux ever
arranged. It was copied from an old
Spanish picture. called The Surprise
One read the story at a glance. The
center figure, upon which the light
FELL was that OF beautiful Spanish
girl. represented by Inez Lynne
The black mantilla. fastened comet