Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-06-28

49, AAAS sHN4. va Nihluleu Lady ~
Norman. why, Libel, used to tsirs
you cared more for them than for anr
thing else"
So she did, years ago; but now ,ho
very sight of flowes gave her na,n
They were associated in her nina
with st. Ina's, AMI the fair sumna.
morning when she had walked thrones
the woods, in the midst of fragrance
and bloom, to her fatal MARRIAGE
They were full c; silent. sad mon
cries for her. She lad been used -
caress and love them like LIVING
friends; but she d.d 50 no longer. M
one ever saw her llnger over flowers
or tend them. Blt as her father ha5
expressed a wish about the flower.
show she went.
She said to herself before they
started that she would find no grss,
pleasure in it, but she must 90 Sbs
would have the fatigue of dressing, 0,
walking for hours in the midst q,
fragrant blossoms, the odor of which
would recall scenes she hated to re-.
member, of listening to compliments
that would be distasteful to her. she
would feel strange and isolated in
| the midst of bright crowd of hanpv
faces, knowing that such happiness
and such brightness could never coma
| to her.
If she had but looked in her mirror
before starting, she must have been
| pleased with the picture she saw there
the beautiful face, with its faint
| bloom, the rich brown hair, that
seemed to be crowned by the pretty
little coquettish bonnet of white lace
with its one blush-rose. She looked
50 fair, SO lovely, so young, that It
seemed impossible her life should
| have dark and terrible side.
There was long drive, and then
| they came to the gardens where the
fete was being held. Despite her great
sorrow, and the dark cloud that was
not to be lifted from her life, youth
re-asserted itself. The sun was shin
ing brightly, the bands were playing
gayly, colored flags were flying from
the trees. Ethel's face flushed her
eyes frightened, her heart beat. She
saw the bright costumes of the ladies,
beautiful and brilliant as the flowers
| themselves. For some few minutes
she gave way to unusual exhilaration
of spirits, and then she was her old
self again. The memory of her ter
| rible secret returned to her. What
| right had she here-the wife Of a con-
victed felon?
Slowly and YEARLY she walked
among the brilliant rows OF bloom;
| she saw the faces of girls of the same
age as herself all blithe and gay; she
| listened to their pretty, lively nom
sense, feeling old, worn, and aged in
comparison, and envying them, yet
owning to herself there was no one to
| blame; it was her own fault.
you are tired, Ethel said Lady
ST. Norman; "rest here a while. ! am
going with Lady Long to see the
white camellias. Would you like to
accompany us, or will you remain
here?"
Il will rest" decided Ethel 1t
seemed to her relief to be away
from the sound Of voices.
She wandered down a narrow path
that seemed completely deserted. Here
were no rows of blooming, fragrant
blossoms, no laughing, bright-faced
girls She would sit in the golden
green light and muse at her will over
the one fatal error that had blighted
whole life. Presently she raised her
eyes as a slight sound attracted her
attention, and saw Sir Oscar coming
toward her.
Il am so glad to see you, Miss st.
Norman he said. Il heard you were
coming" He did not add, 80 | came,
too" but the words were on his lips.
Her face frightened as she saw him.
How brilliant the flowers are look
ing he remarked, Have you enjoyed
them?'
Her face flushed, and she laughed.
II must tell the truth" she replied;
II have not noticed them"
Il am not in the least surprised" he
said, smiling. you come to flower
show, where sun and flowers are all
bright as bright can be; and, instead OF
amusing yourself as any one else
would do, you are here in the only dun
part of the gardens, away from every
one and everything. l need not ask
the nature of your thoughts; one can
read them in your face"
Il plead guilty" she responded.
THAT is right" he said. Nov VIII
you having owned your fault, atone
for it? VIII you let me show you the
fiowers?"
She looked up brightly.
Yes; should like that very much
she acknowledged.
"All the gentlemen present will oe-
tsst me, as matter Of course Dc
said, for monopolizing the faires'
10 In, chali not |