Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-08-02

BERTHA M. CLAY.


1augningly-.the heir Of some noble
house
He is one or the best servants
have ever had" observed Lord Lieg
ton. "He has been with me rather
more than a year, and he knows every
tree i'm the woods believe. He would
make an excellent guide for tomorrow.
You will want to see the waterfall, and
All the beauties of the neighborhood.
7 must send word to him to be in readi-
mes.
what is the name Of your accom-
plished keeper asked one Of the
guests, carelessly.
"He rejoices in the very English
name OF John Smith, replied LORD
Leighton, "and | think the prejudice
against the name of Smith very I'M
just one
A discussion then arose over names,
and the keeper who spoke French anu
German was forgotten.
The morrow rose bright and beauti-
full, a summer day without a cloud;
the wind was sweet, soft, and fragrant.
"The deep shade of the woods will be
cool and pleasant today" said Lady
Leighton; and her visitors agreed with
H..
Some of the ladies took books,
others took fancy-work, and 1t was
settled that the party should spend
the whole day in the woods, but should
meet at the waterfall for luncheon at
tw'
On this warm, bright summer day
there were no gorgeous toilets; the
ladies were content with dresses II
muslin. Ethel wore one Of blue, With
pretty white lace mantilla, and hat
with white dropping plume; and
Lady st Norman, as she looked at Der,
thought she had never appeared more
lovely; her queenly grace, her eX-
qulsite beauty, her royal dignity of
manner, all showed on that day to the
greatest advantage.
Ethel" said Lady st. Norman, try
to enjoy yourself today, | wish that |
could put a little OF this sunshine into
your heart"
But Ethel only stopped and kissed
the kindly, anxious face.
The sunshine would be Of no use to
me-" she thought. My sun has set
At the large gates that led to the
woods they were met by the keeper a
tall, handsome man, whose eyes were
keen and blue, his features could
hardly be distinguished because of his
broad-brimmed hat and long mustache
and beard, and thick, curly hair. He
DOTTED his hat with an air of good
breeding not lost upon the ladies. He
spoke. and his voice was pleasant, his
accent good; his figure superior to his
position He stood in silence while
Lord Leighton discussed where they
should go first
Let us see. we will visit LEIGH
toms Folly first. he said; that is the
ruin of a picturesque Old dover house,
built in the Italian style, by one of the
ladies' OF Leighton. many years ago.
They went A group of ladies stood
round the rim of a fountain when the
keeper first caught a glimpse Of Ethel.
She was standing under the shade of /
large copper-beech, and the light like
that of FURNISHED gold fell over her
fell on the beautiful sad face the
cloud-like dress, and the rich, ripping
masses Of brown hair.
As he looked. his handsome face first
flushed deepest crimson, and then grew
pale as death. lie muttered something
TO himself--some strange words and
the keys that he held in his hand fell
to the ground He stopped to raise
them. and then withdrew that he
might watch the beautiful face more
closely.
IT cannot be ethel" ne said to him
self 1T cannot be she. Great
Heaven, am | mad or dreaming? Shall
/ wake up and find myself at St Ina's,
and all that black, horrible time only
a dream-only dream? All, If II
could but be SOL It cannot be she"
Ethel moved as he watched her end
a sharp, keen pain shot through his
heart
1T is Ethel | know that sIn,lH that
graceful bend OF the neck that curve Of
the sweet, proud lips. 1t Is she; 1t ls
Ethel-my wife-my wife,"
tie turned aside-that strong power
ul mum with eyes dimmed with tears
Il have found her at last he said To
himself Ethel. Ethel-my wife,
CHAPTER XII.