Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-07-12
Continued.


surrounded by a court of admirers
She talked for a short time with more
than her usual animation, hoping ana
eypecting every moment that Sir Os-
car would appear, but time passed on
and he did not come. Then her high
spirits failed her. She made her es-
cape from her admirers, and wandered
.nto one of the pretty ferneries Here
all was cool, green, and pleasant she
fingered; the waters fell with soft
ripping sound, the ferns stirred light
ly in the wind She sat down to en-
10y the pretty solitude
All al once she saw Sir Oscar; he
vas walking through the fernery, and
had suddenly caught a glimpse OF her.
his face frightened, the grave, lumin-
Gus smile she liked 80 much came over
St. He advanced eagerly to her.
II have been looking everywhere for
you, Miss st. Norman he said; Il
waa Just thinking Of going away, fear
ing you were not here"
"rhe crowd is so great" she OBJ
served, Il have been on the lawn, but
/ did not see you
He sat down by her side. Had she been
wiser, she would have understood her
self better; everything seemed TO
change when he appeared the sun
shine was brighter, a fairer green
came on the grass, the flowers took
rarer colors the birds sang more
sweetly, the whole aspect Of heaven
and earth seemed changed to her; and
yet It never even family dawned across
her mind that this was love
She was surprised to find that an
hour had passed since he appeared; 1t
seemed to her only few minutes.
Il think she said to him, with a
smile, that you have the faculty OF
making time fly | had no idea that
we had passed aewhole hour in listen
ing to the music of that cascade"
II may make the same complaint
ne responded. hours in your society
take unto themselves wings and ny."
She laughed, and rose from her seat
yet she did not like going away from
the cool. fresh ferns.
This seems to lie the pleasantest
part of the grounds. she said; II ad-
mire ferns very much"
so do j." he remarked; but have
never admired them so much as to-
day.
Aud then they walked back TO the
lawn together Many admlrlng glances
followed them; people whispered to
each other that sooner or later that
would be a match.
II can understand now said one
lady 10 another, why Miss St Nor
man refused the Duke OF Southmead."
ut was not for Sir Oscars sake"
was the rejoinder "She had not even
seen him when the Duke Of Southmead
left London"
The comments made did not reach her
ears: and IL was well for Sir Oscar
that they did not He saw that the
pretty legend OF friendship sutiiced for
her. She was unconscious OF aught
else. He loved her with a strong. deep,
earnest love. He had never been
charmed by the fair face OF a woman
before, he had that most rare gift to
bltA AtA Niii ~ Atht VI hiS hNoA =
He knew that by her side, no matter
what troubles came, life would be one
long course OF happiness--one long,
unbroken dream OF delight. He knew
also that 10 she refused him, all that
this world could offer would not atone
10 him for the loss
His great love made him cautious. II
ne had had less az stake, he would
have been rashor and more daring; he
would have told her at once that he
loved her, and have asked her to be
his wife. Love made him prudent, He
knew that some OF the most eligible
men in England had tried in vain to
win her favor. He could not bear the
thought OF losing her so he called
caution 20 his aid. He would not
startle her by speaking too soon OF his
love, he would give her plenty OF time
TO grow accustomed TO him,
He WAS mot vain but he did thiak
sire WAS haeiuung 90 like him. She
seemed more al home. more at ease
with him than with any one else. He
thought 90 nImsalf that IL ueedful.
hg would wait long years la silence for
her she was SO dear $50 precious, SO
Sel worth winning
He said nothing To- her OF love Like
cautious general ne advanced by
degrees He was content for time
with having won her l.kus be wanted
10 accustum her 20 his society. TO teach
her 10 rely upon him, and he sue
ceeded slowly aud gradually a new
life opened 60 her, and she WAS quite
unconscious OF it The old interest that
SHE fslt in poetry and arr, her passion
ute love of nature her animation. all
seemed 10 return Go her
am SO much happier she would
ay herself because have found a
fr.M.EsE.