Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-06-07
BERTHA. N. CLAY.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Continued.

fdlr races, as Tules SmliSA uPO"
him, and bright eyes grew brighter for
his coming. He was accustomed to see
young girls look flattered by his no
tice, while others appeared anxious to
attract It; he was accustomed to hon.
age and Difference, but at Ethers hands
he met simply with Indifference.
She was standing alone when he first
saw her, and he thought her attitude
one OF marvellous grace. She had inn
plored Lord st. Norman to allow her
to refuse this invitation. but be would
not hear of it.
''You have been to great variety OF
entertainments. ETHEL" he said. but
you have never been to a fancy ball.
You must go, my dear. l hear that
the Prince and Princess Holstadt and
the young Duke of Southmead are to be
present"
She turned away, sick at heart. Her
place was not with princes: she who
had married in such secrecy and snch
haste-she was the wife OF felon.
Lord st. Norman had insisted that
she should choose some fancy costume.
He had suggested many-those Of
queens, heroines, and peauties-but
she would wear none of them.
II was Helen who, with her quick In
I stinct, saw that Ethel shrank from dis
play
Go as Night" she suggested;
That will require only plain dress of
silver and black" to which Ethel con-
sented.
But when she saw herself in the tall
mirror. she thought that no costume
could have heightened her loveliness
more maryelously: and Lord st. Nor
man smiled as he thought how we'll his
wife had chosen.
The dress of black net was dotted
with silver stars: the dark, dusky folds
fell in the most artistic fashion. Ethel's
rich brown hair lay in clustering
masses on her white, graceful neck; 1t
was wreathed with small silver stars.
Tine beautiful face seemed to rise
from the dark dress like some lovely
flower from its stem; the white neck,
the rounded arms, and beautiful shout
ders had never looked more fair than
they did now. shining from the cloud
OF black Lord st. Norman smiled
when he saw her.
IF you did NOT wish to attract no
tice, ethel he said, you should have
chosen a different costume"
To himself he added that. let her
have CHOSEN what she might, she would
still be more beautiful than any one
else.
The splendor of the scene that soon
afterward met her eyes might have de.
lighted her IL she could for one moment
have forgotten her terrible secret. her
terrible care. II went with her, and,
while the noblest and greatest In the
land bowed before her. 1t Swallowed
her, this secret that was slowly aud
surely eating her heart away.
Lady Cranes rooms were filled with
most brilliant crowd; the elite of the
fashionable world were present. There
was variety of costumes--those
OK kings, queens, far. es. frlars, peas
ants, heroines of story and of song
but all paled before that of the girl who
had chosen TO appear as Might"
She was soon surrounded; that love-
ly face OF hers had a terrible influence
over men. There were heart-burnings
and jealousy. More than one present
would have given much for smile from
her lips.
She danced first with Prince Hol-
stadt; when he had left her. she stood
for some minutes talking to Helen, and
II was then the Duke of Southmead
saw her.
She was standing by the scarlet bios
SONS of one OF the rare plants with
which the ballroom was half filled
her dark dress. with silver stars, fall
Ing in graceful folds round her tall
statuesQue figure; her lovely face was
bent over the scarlet flowers.
He looked at her in wonder and. ms
he so looked. his heart went out to her
He was not accustomed to wait when
ne wished for anything. and he said to
himself that he must gain an introdue-
ton 70 the beautiful girl--that the
sweet eyes must smile on him. the fair
face brighten for him. He went at
once to Lady Crane.
who is that TALL beautiful girl with
the sad, sweet face?" he asked.
Lady Crane looked up with a smile
There are so many tai. beautiful
girls, she replied laughingly.
(which one does your grace meanq"
II see none like her, standing there.
DO YOU see, Lady Crane? She is near
thercrlmson bank of flowers; her dress
is dark. with silver stars"
Lady Crane looked in the direction
he indicated. and then she smiled.
Is II possible?" she asked. that You
do not know Miss st. Norman? |
should have imagined every one in
London knew her. she is the beauty
OF the season"