Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-01-18


to do with a chaperon? Papa, if l re-
fuse to obey one, what them" asked
Ethel.
I'm that case | should most certainly
refuse the offer" said Sir Leonard. 81
should write to the ambassador and de-
cline But, Ethel, you will surely take
my disappointed. blighted face into
consideration before you do that?"
The girl was silent for some minutes;
then, turning to him, her beautiful face
all flushed and eager, she said, per-
suasively:
Let me make one more appeal to
you, papa. Go to Austria and leave me
here. l will be prudence itself; l will
surpass discretion in all l do or say;
| will promise you that no stranger
shall ever cross my threshold; l will
obey every law you may lay down for
me, if you will consent to leave me free
and unfettered -
"My dear Ethel, cannot do it. You
do not know what you ask. A girl of
seventeen, left in such a position,
would quite lose caste. If you were
twenty, or even thirty, would not do
it,"
you refuse, them" she said, quietly
Sir Leonard moved uneasily in his
chair; he did not like, when looking
on that beautiful face, to refuse a
prayer.
"I must do so for your own sake as
well as mine. cannot leave you
alone, Ethel; and will not"
She was silent for some minutes, the
flush dying from her face, and the
light deepening in her eyes. A strug-
gle was going on between her pride
and her love for Sir Leonard; then she
turned to him quite calmly.
"Will you tell me, then, what you
propose doing, papa?"
Sir Leonard looked slightly confused
Something in the beautiful face and
proud eyes seemed to agitate him
81 may as well-nay, I had better
speak plainly to you, Ethel. The truth
is, the sooner you accustom yourself to
a chaperon the better it will be for
you; for I am tired of single life, and
think of marrying again"
The slender figure was drawn to it's
full height, the beautiful face was
flushed with the deepest crimson, the
proud lips wore their most scornful
curve
you think of marrying again, papa!
Pray, may ask why?"
THAT is hardly respectful question,
Ethel. I have told you my reason. I
am tired of a single life, and l have
met with a lady who would make me,
am sure, most excellent wife"
"Am I permitted to ask who the
lady is?" asked Miss Gordon.
Certainly, my dear met Miss
Digby last year at the Trexhams-I
met her again at the Davencorts'; and,
if | must speak plainly. l fell in love
with her"
The scorn on the lovely lips deep
ened
Miss Digby has money, I believer"
she interrogated
yes" replied Sir Leonard "she has
mOney-money made by her father in
or great connections; but, for all that,
she is a lady of great accomplishments
and refinement"
"You would choose a bridesmaids
daughter to take my mothers place."
asked Ethel, with quvering lips
"You must speak respectfully of the
lady | hope to make my wife, re-
turned Sir Leonard, sternly.
do you expect me, Lady Angela's
daughter one of the Gordons nf Foun-
tayne, to obey such a persona" in
quired Ethel, proudly
''I expect you to obey me. I also am
a Gordon of Fountayne. and my will is
stronger than yours. have asked
Miss Digby to be my wife, and she has
consented"
A low cry escaped Ethel's LIPS, but
she made no comment. Sir Leonard
continued:
"The same obstacles that prevented
my taking you to Austria forbid me to
take a wife there; therefore I have ar
ranged with Miss Digby to postpone
our marriage until my return. You un-
derstand that, Ethel?"
Eyes, I understand perfectly" was
the quiet reply.
Sir Leonard looked relieved He felt
that the worst part of the revelation
was over.
Miss Digby to oblige me, has con-
sented to another arrangement" Sir
Leonard resumed. Perhaps that will
not please you. She is going to spend
a few weeks, perhaps months, at St.
lnas Bay, She has invited you to go
with her, and should like it to be So
Then she has promised to remain with
you at Fountayne until return"
The girls face grew white with an
ger, her eyes seemed to flash fire
Il will not submit to such an ar
rangement," she said, haughtily. "You
are treating me as a child. Papa, you
forget that am woman"
Sir Leonard laughed
Not quite, Ethel You are seven
teen, and l admit that you are tall for
your age; but girls of seventeen are