Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-09-06


pathy to bestow upon her young
charge; and so, in spite of Mr.. Kings
leys almost idolatrous affection for his
only child, there was an eager longing
for the affection which only mother
can bestow.
When she was fifteen years OF age
her father married his second wife,
and Graza was sent to boarding
school, while for three years they trav-
eled abroad
Upon their return the elegant sub
urban residence was built, and then
mere followed a year and half OF gay
society life.
But these eighteen months were the
most unhappy portion Of Grazias life,
for Mrs Kingsley was jealous Of her
step-daughter beauty, her fathers
fondness for her, and because Of the
great wealth she would inherit from
him.
She made no secret Of her dislike for
the girl, and constantly misrepresent-
ed Grazia by making it appear that she
was very unamiabie and unmanage-
able and a source Of continual irrita-
zion and anxiety 10 her
This was the state Of affairs in the
Kingsley mansion at the time of the
opening Of our story, and we must not
forget to mention that Mrs. Kingsley
wholly disaprpoved of Lloyd Lang
hams attention to her step-daughter
and stroye by every means in her
power to influence her husband against
him.
A week previous to the date of the
conversation recorded between the
young husband and wife, Mr., and Mrs.
Kingsley left home for a short visit to
Washington.
Three days later a telegram had
come to Lloyd Langham, telling him
of his fathers death, and demanding
his presence in his far western home,
in order that the question Of property
might be settled.
Then there came to Grazia the great
est temptation of her life.
Her lover insisted upon an immedl-
ate and secret marriage; and when she
objected, saying that she could not
take such a step without the sanction
of her father, he overruled all her
scruples by claiming that Mrs. Kings
ley was so opposed to their union that
she would do everything in her power
to separate them permanently, unless
they forestalled her by taking the mat
ter in their own hands, while they had
the opportunity, and settle their rela-
tions for all time.
Grazia knew that she was not doing
right-her better judgment told her
that no such hasty and unsanctioned
union could prosper; but she believed
that she loved her betrothed so wholly,
she was so unreconcled and unhappy
over their coming separation, that she
finally yielded the point. Stealing
forth early one afternoon, the young
couple drove twenty miles away to a
little village where there was but a
single church. aud were quietly mar
ried by a young man who had recently
assumed his first pastorate.
And now, late the same evening, the
hour Of parting had come, and the
young wife, trembling and afraid in
view Of what she had done, was almost
broken-hearted at the prospect of her
husbands departure,
She was eXquisitely fair and not
having been able to be married in
bridal robes, she had, on her return,
arrayed herself In spouess white for
this last interview with her dear one.
She wore no ornaments save a great
white rose, nesting among its dark
green leaves, pinned to her corsage,
and when she came down to him in all
her fresh, exquisite beauty-when she
spIaug into his arms, lifting her fair
face to his, and returned his fond
caIcss, Lloyd Langham told himself,
with a thrill Of pride, that she WAS the
most beautiful woman in the world
that when ne returned from his west
eru trip ne should proudly claim her
before the world, and place her in a
position where she would shine like
some fair star i'm the realm Of stars.
"rhat is more like it, my own love"
he murmured, with his lips against her
fair round cheek, when, in obedience
to his command, she had tried to smile
and chase the clouds Of anxiety from
her face
An, II | could but spirit you away
With me" he added. gazing wisttully
INTO her beautiful uplifted eyes. That
would never do, however, could not
So iniure your prospects and create a
scandal during my absence. A scan
DIAL, Graz.a, Is The most horrible thing
in life nothing of the kind must ever
touch you or me- But ! must go,
hearts dearest; my train leaves in lit
lie over nm hour and have much 70
Go between this and that. Put your
arms around my neck and tell me once
more that you Love me-
sraz.as white arms crept about hts
threat. her fair hands clasping each