Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-06-21

c.y OF surprise when she saw it, Helen
'issed the fair young face.
You will be your brightest and best
.onight. Ethel, viii you not? Your
father is SO proud Of you, | ought to
"a jealous; but cannot be-"
The dinner-party was not large
ne, but the few assembled were all
celebrated in some way or other. There
vas leading statesman, one or two
members Of parliament celebrated
writer, one or two leaders o, fashion,
ma Ethel-a quiet, select itrie party,
Sir Oscar Charlotte was included in
The number Of guests.
Lord st. Norman looked anxiously
al mis- daughter as she entered the
draw.ng-room; there was a slight flush
on her beautiful face, and her eyes
were bright as stars. He was delight
cd with the elegance Of her dress, and
the charming grace Of her appearance.
she had been there some little time,
when Sir Oscar Charlotte was an
uouncsd She looked up in interested
wonder when he entered What was
he like, this man, few Of whose
words had made so great an impress
sion upon her? She saw tall, noble
looking gentleman, with an erect fig
ure and military bearing; his face was
not exactly handsome, but 1t was
frank, full of courage, Of fire, of
genius, a face to be trusted and loved.
Ethel thought of her fathers de-
scripti0n he combined the gentleness
OF a child with the bravery of lion.
She believed it; the tall, powerful
figure. the noble face, the fearless
eyes, were combined with a mouth
gentle and beautiful as that of any wo-
man She looked at him earnestly.
He was her ideal Of a soldier and a
gentleman; truth and chiyalry were in
his face, gentleness and daunuess
bravery
If his mind matches his face and
figure, she thought to herself, 81 shall
like Sir Oscar Charlotte"
She found herself wishing that he
would speak to her She would Ike
to see him smile; she would like to
hear him speak In few minutes her
desire was gratifed Lord St. Norman
crossed the room, bringing Sir Oscar
with him.
Ethels first sensation, as he bowed
to her, was one Of delight that her
idea Of him was verifed--that his
smile was sweet and gentle at that of
a woman or a child. Then she found
herself looking at his face, and Won
derlng where she had seen him before.
lord St Norman left them while he
went to welcome some other guests;
and then Sir Oscar sat down by Ethers
side
She was looking half-wlstfully in
his face
Sir Oscar" she said, suddenly, Il
cannot diyest myself Of the idea that
nave seen you before. Yet | cannot
remember where.
4 saw You Miss St. Norman" he
observed, smiling, in the Park. ! was
standing with a group of friends when
your carriage passed by"
Then she remembered the face that
nad attracted her attention; she re-
membered the words that had been in
her mouth at the time-his own words
and-a crimson blush burned her
face
lie looked surprised Why should
this proud girl, who was so Indifferent
to all men, blush at those simple
words from him? But he was inter-
rsted touched by it as he would not
have been by anything else. They
talked together for the short space OF
time that elapsed before dinner, and
then Sir Oscar escorted her to the
dinng-room He sat by her during
dinner, anu was delighted with her
her woudrous beauty, her pleasant
words her bright eyes charmed him:
ne found himself looking at her in
wonder
This is the girl" he said to him
self who refused the best match in
England. who refused the young duke
/ am not surprised now that l have
seen her; she does not look like one
who would marry for money; she has
the uob,est and most beautiful face l
have ever seen
For the first time Sir Oscar was
thoughtful and grave he was gem
e,allv considered one OF the most
amusing companions, but on this oc-
caslon his thoughts were all en-
crossed by the beautiful face which
had charmed him SO greatly.
TO be continued