Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-08-24

had the sense TO choose some brilliant
beautiful girl VINO would have return
ed his love, instead of herself. She
could never care for him. She did
not know that that very fact constitut-
ed her charm in the eyes OF the young
man who was sought after by every
manoeuvring mother in London
When the concert was over and
Lady Lynne's carriage was announced,
the marquis, by an adroit movement,
was the first TO rise and offer his es-
cort TO Agatha She accepted it, and
Count Rlnaldo followed with a lower
ing face. He fancied the young girl
was cooler than usual to him When
| they reached the house he was the
| first to descend and offer his arm 20
| Miss Lynne She refused with a
| graceful gesture, and passing before
/ him. tripped lightly up the steps, yet
| he would not believe that she had pur-
( posely sighted him. When they
! reached the drawingroom Agatha
! took possession Of pretty lounging
/ chair, her fayorite seat. The count
followed her and bending over her,
/ began some slight remonstrance upon
\ what he was pleased to call her
| cruelty. She made him some slight,
| laughing reply, and. rising Immediate
| IT, crossed over to where Inez was
/ talking to Lord Lynne and the mar
auis. Then the face of Count Rinaldo
was not pleasant to see He saw
| Lady Lynne intently watching him,
and It struck him that she had per
| haps been warning her sister against
! him. "She would not dare me SO far"
4 he said to himself "She would never
/ be so blind to her own In
| terests, or so rash" But the convic-
/ ton grew upon him. Agatha was
neither uncivll nor pontedly cool to
| him; she did not attract attention
either by her Indifference or any ex-
hibition of her real feelings; still,
there was something, an indefinable
something, in her manner, which
clearly proved to the count that she
was aware of his liking for her, and
wished to show him quietly that it was
all in vain. Once Lady Lynne caught
his eyes fixed upon her with glance
! that, brave and fearless as she was.
seemed to freeze the blood in her
veins AS he was leaving, Count
! Rinaldo drew near her,
AZ must see you alone, Lady Lynne"
| he said.
1T will be impossible" she replied,
drawing back proudly.
"If you are wise, Lady Lynne" said
| the count. you will not trife with a
desperate man. Unless l see you to-
4 morrow alone, | shall seek an inter-
view with your husband. Be at home
at three,--I will not be later"
She looked at him, and in that mo-
ment Lady Lynne would have given
the whole world to dare and defy him.
He read It in her naughty glance, and
| smiled contemptuously upon her.
! It was an easy matter TO secure
tete a tete, but Tnez revolted against
the necessity Lord Lynne was from
home and would not return until din
ner time; Agatha, only too pleased to
enjoy a few hours quiet, had gone to
the library with one of her favorlte
! books.
/ This time Lady Lynne made no prep
! aration for her interview with the
man she detested. Principally at the
! time appointed he was shown into the
! drawing where she received him
with the dignity of a queen.
Let there be no waste Of words be-
tween MS" he said; 81 am here to
warn YOU love your sister; her
| fortune Is Just what | require, and
intend to marry her. | can see plain
| ~ that you have tried to prejudice her
against me Now, beware in time;
| YOU must use your influence for me
and in my favor" She made no reply
/ ana he continued IF you thwart me
1 I'M this. YOU know the consequences;
/ Agatha loves You, she is young, easily
Influenced, gentle and yielding, If YOU
add your entreaties to mine, your in
| Guence to mine. | know she will con
sent and will be my wife. Then all
win be we'll, if YOU refuse to hel9 me,
/ YOU lose all that you value most"
1 "Rinaldo." sha said gently have
( You no mercy for me2'
II have learned to act and care for
/ myself" he replied, wondering a the
new and strange softness in her man
uer,
Have you no regret, no pity for the
/ blight and ruin Won brought upon my
! lifea" She said Il was a child when
Won 'ure1 me on to love and marry
/ Won; have YOU no pity for the sorrow
I Won brought upon me- the fever OF
. grief you made me suffer and still
more for the bitter shame and agony
i PASSED through when I read your let
ter and found that was but the fool
ism duoe OF q clever willy man' Have
won no regret or remorse for the
youth. the trust and faith YOU bllghted
ANA slew when Won killed my love2'
4 strange vistfu' light came into
her dark eyes.
"rt seems 10 me" She continued
maunm'ly. tbat my fate. my story
would move The heart OF a stone.