Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-05-31
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Magnificent Offer.

A Magnificent Offer.
That same season new star APP
peared in the fashionable horizon. The
young Duke of Southmead who had
been abroad since he attained his ma
jority, returned to England, and be-
came the observed of all observers"
There was no fair gift of earth that had
not been lavished upon him; he was
young, rich. and handsome, not more
than twenty-five years of age, and it
was generally believed that he was one
of the wealthiest men in England.
He was the fortunate possessor of
three magnificent estates in England
Burlinghame Abbey, Lanville Court,
and Glaston Hail. Glendon Towers
and Heatherbrae in Scotland also be-
longed to him; and he had an accumu-
lation of money in the Funds which
would have made any ordinary man
rich. To add to his unbounded wealth,
coal had been discovered on one of his
English estates. which had more than
trebled it's value.
The Duke of Southmead was hand
some man; he had fair, frank, Saxon
face, laughing blue eyes, ? head COW
cred with fair, clustering hair, and a
beautiful mouth. Els figure was tall:
he had broad shoulders, a dignified.
easy carriage, charm of grace and
manner which alone would have made
him popular. His Grace of Southmead
was clever, too; he was blessed with
clear intellect. sound common sense.
and good judgment; he was eloquent Of
speech, with flow of original thought
expressed in elegant language. He was
a truthful, honorable gentleman, than
which no brighter praise cou.-. e given
to him.
II was well known that the Duke of
Southmead was looking out for a wife;
he had been heard more than once to
say that the only gift wanting to him
was that of fair and loving wife.
When the fact became known. Bel
gravian mothers looked hopeful. Who
could wish for any daughter a sairer
lot In life than to be Duchess of South
mead? Money, jewels magnificence OF
every kind would be her portion. She.
the fortunate one. would be envied by
all other women.
NO man was more popular than this
Young duke; it was not altogether be-
cause of his vast wealth--the hand
some face and graceful. chiyalrous
manner had something to do with il.
Ladies declared that no man had n
more beautiful smile.
Fair young debutantes were almost |
imid in his presence, for they had been
old what a great Prize was TO be won |
n the matrimonial market
Anxious mothers had suggested that
hey should wear blue. His grace had
'een heard to say that blue was his ia
'orite color. They had been told 70 |
pare no pains over their singing. for
us grace was fond e music.
When he entered room there was
thrill of excitement. His taste was
eally good, andshe was a passionate
dmirer of beauty. Happy the girl
'hom he honored with his attentions:
ne was looked upon with something
Ike envy by her companions.
but the young duke was very csp-
lous; he never went beyond the meyest
He had seen the loyellest
'omen In Europe, but had not fallen IN
owe with any one of them.
he had enjoyed many fiirtations: he
ad been like butterfly. roaming from
lower to flower: but he had not seen
ne woman whom he cared to make
duchess OF Southmead.
at Lady Cranes fancy BAN he met
1 1nei St Norman. and for the d-st
,a tell deeply in love. Her beautifu
ave vita its proud. sad, sweet mouth
' 'iu dreamy, lovely eyes. charmed him:
s.'' more, he was irresistibly can't.
waited by her manner. ny"
To be continued