Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-11-18

Continued.
By the Author of Sunshine and Roses.

added: "And now, Angel, you must
choose your own dress: | have not
decided how many bridesmaids to
have; but you will certainly be the
first"
al should like to speak to you for
a few minutes before you decide,
mamma Will you come into this
roOm?"
Her hands trembled, her eyes were
full of tears. She opened the door thar
led into Lady Rooden's dressing-room.
There was something almost like a
froWn on her ladyship's face as she
followed her daguhter.
What is it, Angela?" she cried.
you always choose such unsuitable
times for speaking to me. Be quick,
my dear; madame's time is very pre-
cious. There are few people for
whom she would have taken all this
trouble"
Mamma" she said, with pale face
and eyes filed with tears, Il implore
you not to ask me to be your bride
maid. I could not bear it. The very
thought of it makes me tremble.
should be afraid"
afraid of what?" asked her lady
ship, impatiently.
Afraid of seeing my father stand
ing between you and the man who is
going to usurp his place"
Lady Rooden started back angrily,
why will you talk such nonsense
to me? / told you before that l would
not allow it, and | will mott I have
a right to please myself in this mat
teri
II know that, mamma, replied An
gela; "but do not torture me-do not
ask me to be bridemaid. Do not
ask me to rejoice in marriage which
will sound the death-knell of my hap
piness."
"Nonsense!" cried Lady Rooden.
Y will not hear such words"
''You know that it is rue, mamma .
said her daughter piteudsly. cit is
a wedding to you, but it is more like
a funeral to me You say that must
have a wedding dress. Oh, mother,
you know that it would be like a
shroud to met"
'T shall not listen to anything
more" declared Lady Rooden. "You
will be my bridemaid, and you will
wear the dress that choose for YOU"
ooh, mamma, do spare mel" cried
the girl 81 shall die if you force me
4 shall indeed"
"Then, my dear, you must die, said
Lady Rooden calmly; ''for you will
certainly be present, My mind is
made up on the matter Now, be sen
sible Angel; you are really, to use an
old comparison, running your head
against stone wall. The wall will
rot give way. You must draw your
uwn inference. Let me hear no more
Of this. Go back to madame, and let
nae choose your dress"
ooh, mamma, kiss me at least as
you used to do when you loved mel"
sobhed Angela.
81 love you now, foolish child! Why
do you not try to please me, instead
Of offending and irritating me? |
have not the least wish to be cool or
unkind; but you thwart me at every
turn. Go back to madame;" and her
ladyship kissed the pale sad face.
But Angela could not return to mad
anne; so Lady Rooden had to offer
many apologies for her daughter, and
was so sweet and gracious that the
modiste thought that no more amiable
lady existed.
"I am afraid, Vance," said Lady
Rooden that night to her lover, that
we shall have trouble with Angel,
She cannot reconcile herself to my
marriage. She seems to be more and
more opposed to it every day."
In his heart the captain anathema-
tized her, and the smile that curved
his lips was not a pleasant one to see.
ct feel almost unhappy over it to-
night" she continued. "Do you know,
Vance, when / spoke to her today of
her dress for the wedding, she said it
would be her shroud."
A curious shadow passed over his
face.
eft is unreasonable to expect her to
like it, my dearest Laura said the
captain. you see, she has had you
all to herself for so long; naturally
she will not like to share you with an
other"
"But she ought to consider my hap
piness, Vance, as well as her own, 4" re-
marked Lady Rooden.
so she does and so she will said
the captain persuasively. DO not
trouble about it, Laura; | cannot bear
to see your beautiful face clouded."
"You can form no idea how she
grieves. She is growing Thin and
pale"
"She will be all right soon" said the
captain cheerfully
81 do not know as to that, replied
Lady Rooden. There are times when
feel very miserable about her, and
it seems to me as though I should
really have to choose between her and
you"