Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-05-11
Lord Lynne'S Choice
BERTHA M. CLAY
CHAPTER VIII.
BERTHA M. CLAY.


roer night fell upon the stately hall
of Lynnewolde, upon the dark
masses of wood, the shining lake, the
picturesque gardens; they bathed all
In their sweet soft light. But there
was one spot where they fell without
baa1ing or balm in their half-mourn-
full light.
Never did good and evil" fight for
a human heart as they struggled that
night for the heart OF Inez Lynne. All
the fire, the passion, the recklessness
of that southern nature were aroused.
She had sworn that she would sue
coed. that by some means the love
she longed for should be hers; and
she was not of those who esteem an
oath as a Eight burden" to be thrown
off at will.
H.. She sat, raw by the window. q. her
room; her dark eyes resting upon the
woods of Lynnewolde; her wealth OF
black hair falling round her should
ers She was almost terribly beauti-
ful TO behold as that war of pas
sions" ragged within her.
1t was a war; for there were times
when softer look came to the eXquis-
tie face. and softer tears fell down the
male cheeks. Then a better and nobler
impulse whispered to her to be pa
tient, to submit, to leave her sister
happy in her love, to conquer and
trample upon the wild love that
wrought havoc" within. But the
better impulse passed, and the proud,
indomitable spirit woke up flercer
and stronger for its repulse,
mo mercy has ever been shown to
mel" she murmured years and years
ago. if had had the love that ought
TO have been mine,-if my father had
treated me as he did his other child
my life would have been different
Shall | lose the only love | ever
asked for the only blessing life has to
give me? | cannot"
So she watched and repeated wild
words to herself, until the first dawn
OF the morning came into the sky. A
thought had struck her,-in the first
few minutes that it came to her she
seemed to shrink from ii, for a Grim
son flush covered her face, and her
eyes fell as though with a sense of
shame. Yet it came again, and again
she played with it. She let herself
think of all that might be, and then
she yielded and then said it should
be so.
She sat and watched the dawn of
the golden morning. There was no
more battle,--it had been lost; no
more struggle,-evil had prevailed.
For veal or for woe she had shaped
her fate. She had sworn she would
win. let the cost be what it might
Nature woke up from its rest; the
birds began their morning hymn; the
dew-laden flowers opened their eyes
and sent abroad their thousand per-
fumes; bright sunbeams warmed and
gladdened the earth; but something
died that night in the heart of Inez
Lynne and never woke again until 1t
awoke to remorse and despair,
When the Bright morning was
further advanced, she rose and pro-
ceeded to make a careful toilette. She
washed away the traces Of her tears,
she smoothed the long tresses, she
dressed herself in one of her prettiest
morning robes. She was even satisfied
with her own appearance when she
gazed in the mirror; she looked all
that was fresh. and fair. and charm
ing; yet from the face that looked in
the mirror, something had died away
that was not to appear again until
Slowly and cautiously she left her
room, and entered her sisters. She
cast one rapid glance aronnd,-all
was as she wished. Agatha lay,
sleeping soundly. and the white hyan-
Cinth was in q glass on the table. She
bent over her fair young sister, who
silent a sleep as would never again
visit Inez Lynne, her sweet face wear
ing a look Of profound happiness, a
smile parting the rosy lips.
Inez felt no remorse for what she
was about to do,-no sorrow for the
blow her hand was about to iniict
she cannot feel she murmured to
herself and ! can"
Then slowly and cautiously she took
the flower from the glass, and quit
ted the room.
1T is ain a chance" she said, "bnt
that chance is my last and only one
J., he is down it can be done, and
arm safe: II not. that hope goes.
viii not think or fear detection after
wards. ! will so manage that i
shall be impossible Let me see II
fortune favors me
She wrapped gently at the library
door, Philips voice clear and joyous
babe her enter. He looked up with
smile when he saw her so fresh, anc
fair. and dainty. but the smile dice
away when his eyes fell upon th'
flower she bore In her hand
Il am afraid I disturb YOU" she be-
gan. II know you spend half your
mornings here but ! have somethinE
very particular 10 say to you. You are
going to London today are yoJ
u9t1'-"yes he replied, slowly.
stT NO -+a1 O., .ae r-ou no fore Won set