Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-02-21
! Thorns and Orange Blossoms.
- ~~ ny IhK AUTHOR o7 @s .
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL
e

| III li'N 20 ~ ~
the world. In spite of all that con
science said about the matter, she was
quite resolved that, If it were possible
to find a flaw in the marriage, II
should be annulled.
How keenly she suffered, no one
could guess. She had been SO proud
of her son: she had been so contempt
uously pitiful to other mothers whose
children had made wretched mar
riages. In a perfectly refined and
well-bred maner she had boosted OF
her son, and she had been mucf
courted for his sake. There was no
doubt that Randolph, Lord RIVERS,
was one of the best matches in Eng
land. His mother knew it. On the
strength Of 1t she had patronized
d~uchesses with large families of
daughters. True, she was a very
popular member Of society on her own
account, but she was doubly so on ac-
count of her son. Pincess Saxon, who
had four plain daughters all unmar-
ried, never ceased to court her. The
Duches Of Inyerary. II of the most
exclusive queens of society, eagerly
sought Lady RIVERS, and said openly
how much she should like an alliance
between the two houses; and Gwen
doline Mari. the most beautiful and
wealthy helress of the day, had more
than once shown her preference for
him.
Not only were all these triumphs
ended, but a series of terrible NORTH
cations mad begun. How should she
face the world when the pride of her
life was gone? How could she bear
the sneers of those ladies at whom She
had sneereG, and who would not in
their turn spare her? She knew eX-
actly the one OF affected commisera
tion in which they would address her.
She knew how they would sting heF
under the guise of plying words.
"He might have married any one
she cried; 'and he has brought me TO
this, that | shall be ashamed TO show
my face where, until now, | have been
an honored guest, | can just imagine
Princess Saxon, with the sweet Ian
guild smile Of hers, saying, What is
this story about your sons marriage,
dear Lady RIVERS? | have not be-
lieved one word of Il; and | shall have
to own that 1t is all true"
For the time the proud lady almost
hated her son; and she hated with
double bitterness the girl he had mar
ried.
&C.,. Af.IAalg hnl Htt.1rll. nnI nNnIN
minute she expected the carriage. 1t
had been sent to Ryversdale railway
station. and the three ladies awaited
its return. Lady RIVERS would not
have owned such a thing for the world
she would have called it theatrical
and ill-bred-but she had chosen the
great drawingroom in which To re.
ceive Randolph's wife, hoping the
sight of its grandeur would annihllate
!, her. For the same reason she had
chosen her richest dress of black
velvet. her finest point-lace, and some
J of her most superb diamonds, She
! looked majestic and magnificent YET
in her heart she half despised herself
What did it matter, after all, whether
a creature SO uttely Insignificant were
crushed or not? Lady Lester looked
: beautiful as a dream. She wore ;
dress of pale amber brocade, will
some fine rubies, Monica wore white
> with blue hyacinths.
= Il doa't know how | shall NEE
!. them" said Lady RIVERS. II hav'
never felt that it was impossible TO b'
civil before. Marguerite, what shall
il do My sense and tact fail me-
With half closed eyes Marguerite
! Countess of Lester, lay back in he
y chair. She held a richly ieweled IA
q in her hands; and the family crisis, a
Monica irre,erently called II, had n
q troubled hey. When Lady RIVER
y spoke, the elder daughter opened he
T. magnificent dark eyes.
DO not trouble, mamma she sale
o Lot me use one of Monica's plat
tudes-what is to be will be, Yo
III have anticipated the worst, 1t is jus
1t possible that we mgy have an agree
II able surprise
r. My dear Margu. L cried Lad
OF Ryycra. Il must kiss her II do no
le Randolph will be mortally orende0
a. Yet how can /? | wish they weI
here. and It was all over"
~ Mamma, shall YOU 80 into the ha
TO meet theue" Monica asked, a she.
10 time afterwaid. when the sound
49,. ,arviargw heela Was heard
Sc Certain not. replied her lad
SO shin why should T. That is Ra
In dolph's voice, oh, Marguerite, no
w my heart beats, II has not beaten
III quickly for years
or In the agitation of the moment Il
m thrce ladies drew together Tbs
formed a striking group The do,
Nh was opened they never knew how F.,
.a. hy whon and Randolph eutere
If the room They SAW the tan fam
and the bron7ed. handsome face, tht
. .4y sfrst a., la3 by the hand . urgFyf