Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-01-03
Thorns and Orange Blossoms.
ny THE AUTHOR OF
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL
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own that I never guessed him to be
what he Is. Why. he has worked as
hard as a professional man! He has
studio In the hotel which he has
fitted up at HE own expense"
HE was always fond OF painting
remember now hearing that he had
gone on sketching tour; but that
was more than a year ago. DO you
know anything of the girls antecc
dents-what her name was. or where
she came from?"
Not one word replied Oscar
"She Is not reticent either; but it SC
happened that have not heard her
speak of herself at all. | can answer
for one thng-that she is an angel.
My mother loves her"
HE introduced her to your mother
be all right"
"The introduction came about acct
IDENTIFY. The thing that has annoyed
me always Is that he never seems to
think my mother or any Of the rest
of us good enough acquaintances for
her"
THAT seems more hopeful, | think. .
said Hubert Forest-Hay. Lord
RIVERS is man of the strictest
honor"
What shall we do?" demanded
| Oscar. breathlessly
"DO nothing. The safest rule is to
leave other peoples affairs entirely
alone"
but it cannot go on" cried the
other
| What right have we TO interfere?"
said Hubert Forest-H Hay.
'The right Of the strong to protect
the weak" replied Oscar.
| but you do not know that the lady
Is weak Remember. this Is all sup
position Even II your worst sus-
pcions were verified. what could you
do? 1t is no business OF yours nor
can you by any possibility make it so"
1T ought to be the business OF every
honest man to right a wrong when the
opportunity occurs for doing So de
clared Oscar
Very good In theory. but in prac-
tice difficult Of accomplishment" re-
joined his companion. you must
remember another thing-and let it
make you cautious. Suppose you in
terfere in the matter. and then find
out that you have made a foolish mis-
take, and that that golden haired
girl Is Lady RIVERS. 1t would be awk-
ward to say the least of it. Take my
advice, and say nothing at all"
But that seems cowardly." re
marked Oscar.
Il am capable of counseling cow
ardicc. as ! am of advising useless,
idle, and vain interference" said
Hubert ForestHay, calmly. You
see, we have come across a certain
fact that is incomprehensible 1t may
hide n wrong or a mystery. In either
case. 1t has nothing to do with us.
tell you. candidly, my feeling in the
matter Is very strong one. have
nothing TO do with the private life OF
an old college friend. If | had even
the faintost idea of anything unusual,
should not have mentioned Lord
RIVERS name. | shall keep the whole
affair n profound secret. and | should
advise you 70 do the same"
But Oscar was almost too excited TO
understand.
Il shall not remain here now" said
Hubert Forest-Hay "A friend of
mine has been urging me to go with
him to Sicily. and shall accept the
invitation. starting tomorrow. l
should not like any unpleasant com
plication TO arise through me"
THAT Is carrying chivalry too far,
said Oscar,
| family. ! know Lady RIVERS and the
| Countess of Lester well; and. because
! | know them. | am anxious to know
no more of his affairs than can help
Then. IL the marriage is legal, the
lady we have been calling Mrs, Ran.
/ dolpn is Lady Ryyersr"
! Certainly she is. and all that |
have to say upon the matter ii this,
that when he takes Lady RIVERS 10
| England. he will remember the day,
| Now you take my council and say
nothing shall 10 back to the Lion
dor; should not care to meet him.
! My family do not know him"
Il am sorry YOU are going said
Oscar
Walk with me as far as the hotel,
said Hubert Forest-Hay. who by this
time bitterly repented what he had
said.
He was one Of those men who would
sooner do good turn than bad one
In his heart he had a great liking
for Lord RIVERS. and would not have
done him any HARM lie had spoken
without thinking; It had never oc
Cured TO him that his old friend was
living under any disguise.
As they walked through the quiet
streets, the moon shining brightly and
throwing quaint graceful shadows or
the whute roads. Hubert Forest-Hal
: turned TO his companion
p 1T Is q strong case against Lore
RIVERS, must admit" he said, "hu
Z IN uag a. nsays tb, ,rga,. ..s,y,l - ~,