Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-03-01
With such a love there was little
chance OF escape for its object.
CHAPTER XI.
The Meeting.

win the confidence OF Ethel Gordon
She had not ever won from her the
least portion Of liking. Day by day,
as she felt deeper regret at parting
from her father, at losing her position
at home Ethel felt greater dislike to
Helen Digby She was not even just to
her
But for her she thought, my
father would not have been so anxious
to make money; but for her he might
have remained in England and we
should have been happy for long years
in our old fashion. I shall never be to
him again what | have been; my love
will never fill his life as it used"
As those thoughts gained upon her,
her dislike to Helen Digby increased,
and the unfortunate idea returned to
her that, If Sir Leonard could only be
brought to think less highly of his be-
trothed he would very probably aban-
don all thought of the marriage; and
that idea, in the end, helped her to her
sorrowful fate.
Early in August letters came from
Sir Leonard. There was one for Miss
Digby, whose kind calm face flushed
with pleasure as she read it; and one
for Ethel, who put it quietly away
she would not read it in the presence OF
her rival Helen opened hers at once.
Ethel" she said, looking up with
bright eyes, Il am so pleased--Sir
Leonard has reached Vienna, and is
both well and happy.
Not to the rival whom she detested
would Ethel condescend to say how
glad and happy such news made her.
She returned some Indifferent reply,
which Miss Digby quite understood.
She is too proud, and dislikes me
too much even to say that she is
pleased, thought the lady
But Ethels exhibition of her I'M
conquered feelings did not prevent Miss
Digby from saying kindly:
viii you not read your letter now
Ethel? 1t may contain some news of
interest"
Thank you, will wait" and Ethel
finished her breakfast leisurely
Helen Digby sighed deeply as the
young girl left the room
If she would but be less proud, less
reserved with me; if she would but
learn to like me, even ever so little,
should not have cloud in my sky"
Ethel went out that she might read
her letter without interruption, and the
spot she chose was a lovely little nook
at the end of the avenue of lime-trees,
where the clover grew thick and fra
grant, where wild roses and harebells
stirred sweet blossoms in the signing
wind. and where the thick foliage of
the trees met overhead and formed an
arch beautiful as that of any cathedral
aisle. One OF the trees had fallen long
years ago; it lay now stretched across
the path, moss and ivy covered 1t,
sprays of wild flowers chung TO it, and
this little nook, beautiful and solitary
as though il belonged to some other
sphere, was Ethel's favorite resort
rhither she went now to read Sir
Lconard's letter She kissed the seal
that bore his crest, the place where she
thought his hand had rested, and then
opened the missive.
A deep shadow came over the beauti-
iul face as she read. The girls heart
was huugering for love, for sympathy.
She had hoped her father would write
of both, but the letter was one long ex-
hortation, one long piece Of advice, and
an concerning Miss Digby
He hoped she had learned to love
her, TO obey her. to look forward with
pleasure to the happy life he antci-
pated they would all spend together
ne hoped she proited by Miss Digby S
teachings, by her constant intercourse
with one SO amiable so well-bred aud
$50 ladylike
A bitter smile curved the proud lirs
ms She read, bitter scorn ana anger
flushed her face
Dces he expect that / find her per-
fec. as he does-the woman who is to
take my dead mothers place who is
TO usurp my own"
Bitter, angry thoughts surged
through the girls heart. which
ached with keeuest pain So, although
be was away from her although for the
6rs, time in their lives they had been
parted his thoughts were all with this
stranger who was heuceforth TO stand
between them II was one of the most
miserable hours OF her life
had thought SO much Of his writ.
ing % me She said 70 herself with
something like "a sob. and now that
. have his letter there is no pleasure.
mo comfort in it-it Is fun OF her she
tarkeus the world for me.
Then os though i'm condemnation Of
sUth q thought the wind seized one Of
The sheets of paper and whirled L from
H.r hands
The next morning q pair OF dark