Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-28
Fiction
A WoMAN'S GLORY.
BY Gertrude Donaldson.

An unimportant function at the coun-
try house was just concluded; dinner
party had been given by its owner
General Calnard, to introduce his
future bride to some Of the country
families and few more of his init
mate friends who were staying in the
house. His engagement had unexpect-
eddy been announced; but General
Calnard had no hesitation in present
ing Debonnaire Sanley as his choice,
for she was tall, slender, and beauti-
full. graceful and fascinating, fancee
of whom he might we'll be proud.
A married sister had undertaken to
act as hostess and chaperOn on the
occasion, and some of the guests were
driving away from under the pOrtico,
whilst others were making their way
over the velvet-piled staircase, having
murmured the usual pleasant words
of congratulation on the success of the
evening to their host before they left.
General Calnard turned towards his
lady love, whom he addressed in low
tones.
II want to speak to you in the IL
brary before we say goodnight.
have something to show you. If you
go on, l will join you there in a min
ute"
Debonnaire turned towards the door
and moved along the passage, glancing
over her shoulder to see if her lover
were following her as she entered the
library.
The French windows were wide
open, and the sweet scents of a sum-
mer's night filled the air with delicious
odOr.
DebOnnaire crossed the room and
stood looking out into the semi-dark-
ness to where mysterious shadows
stirred beneath a fine old cedar tree.
Suddenly an arm passed round her
waist, and with a little sigh of relief
she exclaimed:
30, Bertram, how glad | am that's
over. 1t is really a dreadful ordeal
for such an inexperienced, quiet in
dividual as l am to have to run the
gantlet of criticism at the hands of all
these grand and pompous people whom
I met tonight"
"I fear no criticism of you, darling"
he said, drawing her close to him and
kissing her lightly on her lips. "This
has been a proud moment in my life;
the prOudest will be when 1 can call
you wife. And now let me show you
what have brought you here to see :"
He went to a small cabinet and from
an inner drawer took out some moroc-
co cases which evidently contained
jewelry. These he placed upon table
near her, and opened them one by one,
displaying the contents.
A blaze of diamonds flashed into
her eyes from three splendid sets of
ttaras and necklets, which lay upon
their satin lining, sparkling and glis-
tening as the light fell upon the
stones.
Choose which of these you would
like best to wear upon our wedding
day. brought them down from town
with me this morning, and the re-
jected ones must be returned tomor-
row. That's why I bothered you to-
night, when | am sure you must be
tired"
How lovely! How good you are to
me-" she cried.
Nothing is too good to crown your
loneliness, my queen,' he answered,
taking up one of the coronets and
placing it upon her hair.
She had rudy locks coiled in wavy
masses behind her head, and the
precious stones flashed their briIliance
above her white smooth forehead and
her dark blue eyes.
Y can't imagine what you see to ad-
mire in this red wig of NINE" she said
smiling, while he gazed lovingly on
her. "As child it was always a
source of grief to me, for it gave me
so many nicknames.
Glorious hair!" he answered, "I
love it. Do you know, Bonnie, think
you are the most beautiful woman I
have ever seen"
vivid blush rose to the girls
cheeks, and she courtesied low to
him.
Il thank you, sir. I don't pretend
am not pleased to hear a compliment
like that from you"
At last the selection of an ornament
was made, and he was about to slip
the cases back into the drawer from
which he had taken them, when she