Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-09-18
Continued.

that Armathwaite could only bow his
thanks and follow her as she turned
and moved slowly on, and await his
introduction to Mr. Crosmont with
curiosity and interest only exceeded
by that which he felt concerning the
lady herself. He had read-or, ex-
cited by the romantic circumstances
of his meeting with her, he had
fancied he read in her soft eyes a
helpless, hopeless unrest which be-
lied the idea that she could be happy
woman; attractive and unhappy,
where can the fault be in the eye of
a man of seven-and-twenty, but in the
brutal or unsympathetic husband?
Frank Armathwaite felt with perfect
loyalty that he already hated Mr.
Crosmont, that he did not want to see
Mr.. Crosmont except to satisfy him
self in what fieshy guise that souIless
creature walked the earth. Just
where the hall narrowed suddenly to
half its first width there was a door
on the left which the lady opened,
and Armathwaite followed her into
one of those rooms which, having ac-
quired, partly through harbouring
generations of gentle owners, and
partly by the mellowing lapse of
years, physiognomy distinct and
eloquent as d noble human face. once
seen are never forgotten.
1t was an oblong, rectangular apart.
ment, of fair size and lofty, with two
large windows, one at the end of the
room overlooking the garden, with a
wide, cushioned window-seat; the
other at the side facing the road. Be
lore this latter window, which
reached TO the floor, was built a little
conservatory, which afforded a narrow
and draughty but at any rate covered
walk with glimpse of the lake and
view of the hills on the other side
There was no prevailing color in the
room; time and wear and the sun had
mellowed every tint to a harmonious
and restful shabblness working their
gentle will on loud-toned, large-pat-
termed cretonne, decided Wallpaper
and striking carpet, until the taste of
past generations was indicated, and
blue roses and orange dahllas as large
as saucers blended into that harmony
which more modern upholstery vainly
seeks in brownish yellows and bilious
greens, The mantelpiece. of red
marble with lighter veins. was low
and broad; 1t was hung with a val
ance of faded needlework, and upon il
stood no clock, but a Dresden group
OF shepherds and shepherdesses under
trees, mounted on a red velvet stand
and enclosed reverently under a glass
shade. On each side of this treasure
stood a tall silver branched candle
stick, and about the feet of these
principal objects was a cluster of
tortuitous atoms: tiny bronze
statuette OF a Roman warrior. with a
wonderful amount of ferceness for
size; a Venetian gondola. which had
evidently suffered AT the hands of adj
miring children; a Swiss cottage. two
small. empty flower-vases. a handsome
chased gold snuffbox and quantity
OF bits of quartz and spar. To each
corner was fastened a movable ban
nerscreen in worn tapestry needle
work To Londoner the absence of
clock gave pleasant. soothing
sense of time being no object with the
occupants of this quiet room. And
the email sheet of looking-glass. in an
oidtashioned gilt frame. which stood
at the back of the mantelpiece. was
only lust high enough to renect the
light of the candles and to show the
back view of the trees and the sben.
herds and shepherdesses, and not i'm
posing enough to suggest the pomns
and vanities of the far-off world. In
the corner opposite to the door and
close to the conservatory window
stood. well away from the wan an
areient semi-grand piano, of only six
octaves' compass. No other object In
the room was striking enough 10 mr..
rest the attention EXCEPT prettv
little modern workable evidently a
recent present, which stood by the
sofa near the flreplice. and bore a
dainty freight of bright-colored silks.
a volume OF Shelley bound In Russia
leather, tiny old.fashioned time.
piece in the shape OF brass figure
Of Atlas bending beneath the weight
OF the globe. and Venetian glass
vase containing single rose.
In an armchair by the fire. with his
back to the door, sat middle.aged
man. the top of whose head was com
nletely bald: he was reading by the
lirht of a candle fixed 10 his chair
As the door opened. he said in kind
voice. well. little one. and what have
ven been un TO now?" and held out
his hand without turning round oil
putting down his book. Armathwaitt
was much struck by this circum
stance. There was a warm, lovinE
sympathy In voice, action. and man
rpr. which eharsed the whole atmcs
nhere OF the old room with the fra
srance OF home. His first impression
that this must be the lady's father
was strengthened by her RESPONSE to
his sreetins. She took HIS out
stretched hand in one OF hers, and
kissed his forehead as she said;
'T've brought gentleman to see
Won daddy
The hook was put down at once.
with a start OF surprise. The new
conner came forward and the lady