Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-07-20


she was seated in the very place wher
her beauty was seen to the best adj
I vantage, then she took her seat, neye
looking in that direction, and sayin
, nothing to her son.
1t was just like laying a trap for
bird--he fell into 1t with the sam
helplessness.
Lady Lanswell neither looked ii
Lady Erskine nor her son, yet sh
knew exactly the moment when nj
eyes first fell on her. She saw hin
start; then she sat quite still, waiting
for the question she knew must follow
IT came at last
Mother" he said, who is that beau
tiful glrl?"
My lady looked at him with langui'
eyes.
What beautiful girl, Lance? There
are so many"
IAN English girl, ] am sure. She
has a string Of pearls in her hair
Who can she be-"
Stll Lady Lanswell feigned igno'
| rance, DIG loDhcu VII IHo Wiohb oiu'
of the room, and she affected not tc
understand where he meant, and when
she could affect no longer, she said:
ado you mean Lady Marion Erskine
the young lady near Princess Golza?
eyes, 1T must be Lady Ersklne," ne
replied. How beautiful she Is, moth
or. She shines like n fair pearl with
that background of dark tapestry.
heard someone say yesterday that she
was in Rome. What perfect face. "
My lady looked at it coldly.
ado you think So Lance?" she said e.
II thought that you gave the prefer
enco to dark beauties"
His heart went back for one mo-
ment to the beautiful passionate face
he had seen by the mill stream. The
gorgeous salon, the beautiful women,
the peerless face OF Lady Marion, the
exquisite music all lloated away from
him, and he was once more by the mill
stream, with Leone's face before him
So strong, so vivid was the memory,
that 1t was with difficulty he refraincd
from calling the name aloud.
My lady guessed from the sudden eX-
preston OF pain on his face where MS
thoughts had gone, She recalled
them.
Tastes differ SO greatly" she said :.
DO you really consider Lady Marion
beautiful. Lance"
Eyes, | have seen no one more love-
ly," he answered.
Then the countess dismissed the sub
ject-too much must not be said at
once. She did not mention Lady Ma
rions name again that evening, but
she saw that her son looked often Mt
her, and she smiled to think the bait
had been taken,
Again they were walking through
the vast gardens of one of the Roman
palaces, when the whole party met.
Lady Cambrcy was with her niece;
Lord Chandos was near the countess,
but not close by her side. The ladies
met, exchanged few words, then
parted, the countess not having made
the least effort to introduce her son;
he spoke of 1t aftorward.
Mother" he said, you did not in
troduce me to Lady Ersliine."
Lady Lanswell smiled calmly.
at was out of pure consideration for
her; they tell mo she has so many
admirers In Rome, From what
know of her, you would not be quite
In her style"
The words piqued him.
"Why not?" he asked.
Ills mother laughed again.
"She Is very proud Lance, and very
exclusive. | need say no more"
My lady always knew exactly when
to leave off She turned away now,
leaving her son with the impression
that Lady Erskin, would not care to
know him, ON account of his unrortu-
nate love affair.
They wore destined to meet again
that evening, ball was given by
an English lady, Mrs, Chester, who
! had one or the best houses In Rome
Lady ErslIine looked very beautiful
her dress was OF pale blue velvet, SUI
perbly trimmed with white lace; she
wore diamonds in her hair. and car
ricd bouquet of white lilies in hey
hand. She was tho belle OF the ball
and It was Mrs. Chester who intro
duCod Lord Chandos to her. She was
quite innocent OF any intrigue, but nat
she been the chosen contldante OF Lady
Lanswell. she could not have don,
more to further her views. She has
been dancing with Lord Chandos her
SELF and began TO speak to him OF tn,
beautiful blonde.
Lady Marion Erskine realizes IL,
idea OF II fair woman" said Mrs
Chester. Il have read the words II
prose and poetry, now | understan,
them"
Il do not know Lady Ersklno." sal,
the young earl.
mot know her? Why, shoult
have thought that all the Engllshmei
In Rome knew their beautiful country
woman