Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-06-14
Repented at Leisure.
BERTHA M. CLAY.


cited within her at her fathers words;
no letter could possibly contain news
Of paramount importance to her
After a Snort interval she followed
Lord St. Norman into his study; and
there she found her father standing by
the table, smiling again at the letter
he held in his hand.
Ethel" he said, sit down | am
much pleased, my dear | think I may
safely say this is the happiest day Of
my life"
Her beautiful face frightened
If | could have what I wish for you,
papa, ali your days would be happy"
Lord st. Norman continued:
You know how dearly | have al
ways loved you, Ethel how proud
have always been of you My love
could desire no better fate than this in
store for you. My pride could ask no
| higher destiny.
He could not see the shadow that tell
over her face.
Your future has always been sub
ject Of anxiety to me" he pursued;
mot in respect Of money! have
known of late years that you have a
SufIiciency of that-but as regards
whom you would love and whom you
would marry You have all the Cor
don sensitiyeness and Gordon pride.
and | know how much proud, sensitive
people suffer. You would have been
one of the most miserable women liy-
ing If you had been unfortunate in
your love
Her lips quiyered; the tears rose in
her eyes, but she reprssed them, re-
| Numbering Sir Oscars words No MUIR
muir should escape ner-no regret be.
cause Of her mournful, blighted life.
Nov, Lord ST. Norman went on, II
am more than happyT am quite con-
tent. This letter that hold in my
nand is from the Duke Of Southmead.
He asks my permission to make you
his wife, and that permission | most
gladly concede."
Ethel's face grew colorless, ana her
eyes Swallowed as she listened
Il have the highest possible opinion
Of the duke, continued Lord ST, Nor
man; he is a gentleman in the highest
MODEST sense of the word He viii
make you happy by his kindness, and
| by his gentle, considerate manner: he
is truthful and honorable; above all, he
is aminabla and, Ethel, you will know
how to appreciate constant good tenn
per and sunshine in the house. | am
convinced that you will be perfectly
happy"
She opened her lips to speak but the
sound died away upon them. 1t seemed
to her that she could not bear to dis
appoint him.
Then, as TO position pursued Lord
st. Norman, you Will occupy a posi-
ton second only to that of royalty.
The Duke of Southmead is not only one
Of the weaIthiest, but he is one OF the
most distinguished peers in England.
| do not think the most ambitious
! father living could desire a happier lot
/ for his child AS Duchess of South
mead you will be one of the most pop
ular women in England. My darling,
| am SO thankful for you-so content.
Then she said to herself that it was
time she spoke-time she told him
these hopes Of mis- could never be real
lied
She went over to him and laid her
hands and his shoulder, looking visit
fully into his happy face
Papa" she said, sadly 1T cannot
be / am grieyed that you should be
disappointed: / am more sorry than /
can express. | would do almost any
thing to give you pleasure, but I can
not do this | cannot marry the Duke
of southmead"
tie looked greatly disappointed; the
happy smile died from his lips
You cannot, Ethel! Why not?"
II do not love him, papa l acknowI-
edge the truth Of an you say. he Is
one Of the most agreeable and kind
hearted men have ever met But / do
mot love him | cannot marry him
Lord st. Norman looked anxiously at
her
"Ethel" he said. grayely you have
too much common sense to refuse such
. magnificent offer from any foolish
schoolgirl notions Of love and send-
ment
II have no schoolgirl notions she
returned, sadly it would be better for
me ten thousand times II had
Esteem is the surest best, and SAT-
lest foundation for love, he pointed
tout You esteem the duke-you ack-
knowledge that YOU think most highly
Iot him Love the highest best love
Iof all will surely follow,
MOI In this ease papa. she
Iopposed. "testeem and like him; i am
grateful 20 him for the great honor he
has paid me, but | cannot marry him 4
/ Lord ST Norman sighed.
You are always a puzzle to me. he
zagI e1ayr1v ssAk tata E.., -. ~