Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-19
CHAPTER xxxv1.
At Norman's Keep.

word of reply A deep, sudden glad
ness took possession Of her. She could
not have expressed it in speech; she
could not even understand it. 1t was
a sudden, deep, great gladness that
stirred the depths of her heart, flushed
her face, and frightened her eyes.
He was coming. He was not her
lover, only her friend, yet all earth
and heaven seemed the fairer for his
coming. There was joy in her heart
such as he had never known before.
Sir Oscar had not settled any precise
time for his arrival. He did not reach
Norman's Keep until the afternoon,
still the day did not seem long to
Ethel. The hours had golden wings;
he was coming; he would be there be-
fore sunset. That thought filled her
with patience.
She was standing by the window,
talking to Lady st. Norman, when he
did Notwithstanding in one Of those
grand statuesque attitudes that always
seemed to be natural to her.
A servant announced "Sir Oscar
Charlotte"
There was no need to ask IL she
loved him; crimson. blush burned
her face, a thousand welcomes bright
ened in her beautiful eyes, her lips
igiyered as she greeted him, and the
white, jeweled hand trembled as she
laid 1t In his. There was no need to
ask II she loved hint was as though
sudden flood of sunlight had fallen
round her and dazzled her.
Lady st. Norman smiled.
"She loves him, and she will be hap
by at last" she thought to herself.
Ethel murmured some few words as
Sir Oscar stood holding her hand in
his She had not heard what he said.
She had looked for one moment into
his face, ard then, for her, life had
grown suddenly and beautifully COM
plete.
They were not alone--a cousin or
Lady st. Norman. Miss Seagrave, was
visiting at Norman's Keep; and young
Squire Raymond, the wealthy owner
of Raymond's Court, was also spending
a few days there. He had fallen in
love with bright. proud. beautiful
Ethel but he no more dared to say
SO than he would have dared to claim
The throne and crown of England. He
only watched her at distance. and
grew crimson and uncomfortable
whenever stray glance of hers fell
near him.
They were a very happy party. Re-
freshments were served to Sir Oscar
in the dlning-room, and then he had
an Interview of five minutes duration
with Lord st. Norman, who concluded
it by saying;
you not only have my consent and
my appreciation, but the best wishes
Of my heart are with you; my dearest
nope is for your success"
Sir Oscar hardly doubted that he
ethel keenly. he had waited patiently,
md he believed that she preferred him
o any one else.
% They sat in the drawing-room, the
windows wide open, all the glory of
Z overs and trees spread before them;
Me sweet summer wind that stirred
ha blossoms so family came In laden
itk perfume; the sunlight lay warm
nd golden on the grass, while from
ne gardens and woods came jubilant
kound II song from the birds.
Miss Seagrave had been singing, and
Sir Oscar, watching the beautiful face
( the girl he loved. said to himself
aat he could bear this suspense no
pnger. Yet she did not know what
as shining in his eyes and trembling
a his lips.
II have heard much of the grounds
nd flowers of Norman's Keep" he re-
arked, suddenly. 81 should much
Ike to see them"
scr am tired" said Lady st, Norman;
BUT you young people could not do
liter than spend the evening out OF
nors."
AThe hapless young squire thought he
w a chance for himself, and eagerly
ggested that they should go at once;
hi one look from Sir Oscar, one al
ost fierce. impatient frown so startled
m that he turned at once to Miss
agrave. and begged permission to
(cort her.
Out into the sweet summer evening;
IS trees were still, the wind was
shed. A beautiful, holy silence
smed to reign around.
rhe young squire was so greatly |
stressed by what he had read in Sir |
cars face that he became distracted, |
d when Miss Seagrave asked, |
Taich do you prefer-the gardens or
e pleasure grounds?" he answered,
random:
"Anything-anywhe
Sir Oscar and Ethel walked through
flower-ga garden to Ethels favorite
treat There Ethel seated herself,
I'd there Sir Oscar took his place by
n side.
CHAPTER NXXVII.
81 Can Never be Your Wife"
4 A. a..