Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-05-04

few minutes, among the sleeping flow
ers, of her happiness and her love.
She drew her white shawl over her
head and passed out on to the lawn.
The stiffness of the night was sooth-
ing after the gay music and laughter.
She sat down under the great cedar;
and while she lived, Inez Lynne never
forgot the solemn beauty of that
scene In the distance she heard the
faint sound of the dance music-the
moonlight, the trees, the signing OF
the breeze, the perfume OF the flowers,
all told one story to the impassioned
girl--the stor. of her happiness and
her love-
Beautiful as it was she did not re-
main long. She was engaged for the
third waltz to Lord Lynne, and she
did not wish to lose that She went
back quietly and gently into the con-
servatory. Her light footsteps made
no noise.
Il might be a ghost, ! glide so well,
she said 10 herself, with a smile. But
the smile died upon her lips; for
standing by the side OF the marble
Flora, was Lord Lynne and her sister
Agatha. They neither saw nor heard
her, and she stood rooted to the spot,
unable to move, unable, if her life
had depended upon it to utter one
word.
In his hand Lord Lynne held
beautiful white hyacinth and she
heard every syllable that fell from his
lips.
Agatha, my darling" he said. ten
derby, do you know what nave
brought you here to tell you? DO you
know what l wish to say to your
but my courage half fails me"
Artlessly she raised her bright eyes
to his face in some surprise; but be-
fore she had time to reply, a voice
was heard saying, Agatha, Mrs,
Lynne wants to speak TO you-w where
are your
There is Evelyn Leigh calling you,
said Lord Lynne, hurriedly. You
know what | wished to say, Agatha;
take this flower" he ADDED, handing
it to her. "and return it to me tomor
row morning with your answer"
There you are" cried the gay
voice of Evelyn Leigh, as she entered
the conservatory, positively looking
sentimental with Lord Lynne! Make
haste, Agatha, for Mrs. Lynne has
been asking for you for the last half
hour"
They passed out together and left
Lord Lynne, as he thought, alone; he
lid not see the pale face with its look
Of sharp pain and deadly anguish,
half hidden among the tall shrubs; he
al not dream that a proud, passionate
heart, breaking for love of him, was
near.
MY darling, she heard him say
with a loving smile, how sweet and
good she isl"
Then Inez Lynne knew that her sis
ter had won the heart and love she
meant to make her own.
She stood quite still among the
dark green shrubs, and no sound tolu
of the deadly strife and despair, no
word told Of the love and happiness
frozen and dead. Her slender jewelled
fingers were tightly clenched, but
she stood silent and motonless as a
statue, until Lord Lynne went away;
then, with light, noiseless step, she
fed TO her own room, and rapidly
closed and locked the door
1t was pitiful sight upon which the
moonbeams fell. The proud beautiful
girl, radiant with love and happiness
so short time since, with a great
cry, flung herself down, and the moon
light fell upon the cleaning opals.
the sumptuous dress, and the white
despairing face
II had been her one treasure, her
one wish, her one ambition that
love would have crowned her life,
and now it was all over, her wondrous
beauty, her genius, her marvellous
voice. had all been powerless to win
the heart that was laid at the feet Of
her gentle sister. Tears Of NORTH
cation rained down her cheek; it was
not only that the hope and treasure Of
her life were wrecked, but she was
Inundated; she had loved in vain,
and her naughty nature writhed again.
Without effort her sister had won the
prize for which she would have freely
given her life.
TT shall not be-" she cried, wildly.
81 have nothing else All my life |
have been wronged and injured ]
win have what my father meant to
give me 7 win make him love me.
I win be Lady LYNNE or viii dipi"