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


She took the letter, read it carefully
l and then laid it upon the table.
: 1T is complimentary" she said
l land he speaks OF the position as
| lucrative one"
t 1T is so now, Ethel. You are oil
enough to understand some of tn
cares that have turned my hair whit
and have lined my face with mark
that nothing will efface."
Her beautiful face softened for few
moments, and the proud eyes grew din
with tears.
Although" he continued, 81 am tn
representative of one of the oldes
families in England, owning Foun
tayne Hall in England and Heather
brae in Scotland, yet l am poor man
l never know the luxury of having ;
sovereign to spare. My father, whC
succeeded to a rich inheritance, spen
all he could. He gambled, played, be-
heavily, bought extravagantly-h he
ruined himself, Ethel, and consequent
ly ruined me. When l succeeded to
Fountayne, it was one of the poorest
Angela, brought with her a good for
tune, and that helped me; indeed, but
for that I must have sold the Hall.
Your mothers fortune cleared off the
heavy mortgages; still, it has been diff
ficult to live. Now this offer of the
Austrian ambassador comes in the
very hour of need. I wanted a few
thousand pounds, and, if go, they will
be mine"
at is an inducement, certainly" she
said, gravely.
"a very great inducement," he
agreed. For the first time in my life
| shall be quite at ease as to money
matters-Heaven grant you may never
know what that implies, Ethel!-and
the advantages in other ways will be
great"
"Why not, then, decide at once upon
accepting the offer, papa?"
Because the decision rests with you
I cannot quit home for two years ant
leave you alone, unprotected, uncare(
for; it is out of the question"
There never was a Gordon yet in
capable of taking care OF himself o.
herself" said the girl proudly
| Sir Leonard laughed and shook hi
;. head
= "You are only just seventeen, anC
= that is no age for ripe judgment. Yoi
are too young to be left in charge of ;
=, large house like Fountayne. You have
not had experience enough"
She went up to him and laid botf
> hands on his shoulders, gazing straight
into his face.
Now. papa, look at me; tell me the
truth. Who really governs the house
now?"
Sir Leonard's face flushed; he
laughed uneasily.
"If you insist upon the truth there
can be no doubt. Ethel, that you rule
the house and every one in IL: but YOU
must remember that am here to take
all responsibility from YOU"
THAT which I am old enough to dc
in your presence I can surely do in
your absence" she said proudly.
That is he very point on which we
disagree" returned Sir Leonard: "and
on that point my decision rests. We
> will argue the matter fairly. Ethel, and
you will see that l am right In the
eyes of the world" continued Sir Leon
ard, 81 should be greatly to blame If |
went away leaving a girl so young as
you, Ethel, to manage a large house
> above all, If left you without chap
eron of any kind
"a chaperon!" repeated his daugh-
ter, contemptuously. "Of what posi-
bic use would a chaperon be to me?"
"She would keep you out of all
danger; young girls are easily imposed
upon. She would teach you to fulfill
the duties of your station in a proper
: manner. In fact Ethel, ii is useless to
argue the question; you cannot posi-
bly, do without one. You would lose
caste in the eyes of the world and
would be certain to get into mischief"
III | ever forgot myself so far as to
feel an inclination for mischief. nc
amount of chaperonage would keep me
from it," said Miss Gordon, proudly
I am too old to be taught to obey a
stranger"
My dearest Ethel. how proud you
are, / fear that some great sorrow
some great and terrible pain-will be
your portion-will be sent to break the
pride, the unbending spirit that moth
ing seems to move"
"All the Gordons are proud. papa
Why blame me for having one of the
characteristics of my race"
"Reminiscences and gentleness
Ethel. form a woman's diadem."
"a very poor one" objected Ethel
Now, papa. be reasonable. Give ur
this absurd notion of chaperon: &c
to Austria-that is a magnificent offe,
one you should not refuse. Leave me
here at Fountayne; shall have a stait
= old housekeeper and faithful servants:
what more can need?''
My dear Ethel. what would the
/ world say IL left girl of seventeen
alone in that fashion,"
d Il do not care for the world" re.
torted the girl. VI care about pleasing
I myself"