Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-01-18
Sir Leonard spoke angrily. with faae

to do with chaperon? Papa, If re-
| fuse to obey one, what them" asked
/ Ethel.
"In that case should most certainly
refuse the offer" said Sir Leonard. Il
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-
/ suasiyely:
Let me make one more appeal to
you, papa Go to Austria and leave me
here l viii be prudence itself; l VIII
surpass discretion in all do or say;
/ will promise you that no stranger
shall ever cross my threshold; | will
obey every law you may lay down for
me, il you viii 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
1 chair, he did not like, when looking
on that beautiful face, to refuse a
prayer.
! II 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. | had better
speak plainly to you, Ethel. The truth
is, the sooner you accustom yourself to
a chaperon the better 1t will be for
you; for I am tired Of a single life, and
/ think Of marrying again"
The slender figure was drawn to its
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 l ask why?'
THAT Is hardly a respectful question,
| Ethel | have told you my reason. /
am tired OF a single life, and I have
met with a lady who would make me,
/ I am sure. a 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 Dayencorts'; and
If must speak plainly I fell in love
/ with her"
! The scorn on the lovely lips deep
aned
Miss Dieby has money, belieye?'
she interrogated
Yes replied Sir Leonard, "she has
money money made by her father In
trade She lays no claim to high birth
or great connections; but, for all that.
she is lady Of great accomplishments
and refinement"
"Yon would choose tradesman's
daughter to take my mothers place.
asked Ethel, with QuiyernE llps
"You must speak respectfully Of the
lady I hope to make my wife re-
turned sir Leonard sternlv.
do You expect me Lady Angelas
daughter, one Of the Gor5ons Of Foun-
tayne to obey such person?" i'm
qured Ethel proudly.
Il expect you to obey me I also am
a Gordon Of Fouutayne and my win is
stronger than yours have asked
Miss pigby TO be my wife, and she has
consented
A low cry escaped Ethels lirs. but
she made no comment Sir Leonard
continued:
"The same obstacles that prevented
my taking Won to Austria forbid me to
take q wife there; therefore ! have ar
ranged with Miss nigby 10 postpone
cur marriage until my return You I'M
dcrstand that, Ethel?"
"Yes, 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 obliee me- has con-
scented to another Arrangement" Sir
Leonard resumed, Perhaps that will
not please you. She is going to spend
few weeks, perhaps months at ST.
luas Bay She has invited you to SO
with her, and I should like it to be So
Then she has promised TO remain with
you at Fountayne until return.
The girls face grew white with am
ger, her eyes seemed 10 flash fire.
II will not submit 70 such an ar
raneement." she said. haughtily "You
arc treating me as a child. Papa, you
forget that / am woman"