Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-10-22
CHAPTER TX.
Beauty and the Prince.

AS the tanrem drove up to the steps
and Lord Villiars lifted Joan from the
dog-cart, Julia and Emmeline's faces
turned pale with envy and mortifica
ton, and the colonel uttered something
inaudible under his mustache; but
grin and look pleasant" and Julia
welcomed his lordship and Joan with
ELUSIVE smiles on her face.
"Oh, how kind of you, Lord Villiars!
And are you better, Joan dear? | am
so glad you have come! The party
wouldn't have been complete without
you!"
Il had to bring Miss Joan by main
force" said Lord Villiars. But come
along; you are going to give your adj
vice, you know! Where's Mr.. Grad
dock?"
Here, my lord" said the old man,
who had been watching the group from
under his shaggy, bent brows.
Lead on, Them said Lord VflIiars.
Mr.. Craddock shufTed across the
hall. his keys rafting as he moved,
and opened the door of the dining
room, or banqueting hail. the care
taker, who had brought up the rear,
timidly opened the shutters and let In
bar of light, which cleaned winterly
upon the faded hangings and dusty
| furniture.
! IL was a magnificent room, but q
shudder ran through Joan's frame at
its cold, neglected aspect, and Lord
Villiars, who stood near her, with his
eyes on her face, shrugged his Shout
ders.
What depressing ROOM" he said.
Fancy dining here alone, with two
family portraits frowning down at you
and watching every mouthful Thanks,
Mr.. Craddock, but | think wen leave
this ghostly apartment undisturbed
for the present"
The old man passed through the
drawing-room into a smaller ante
room, hung round with amber drapery;
there were card tables still open in
the centre of the room, and the light
from the vaulted ceiling fell in a
weird kind of fashion upon the quaint
! furniture.
THE card-room, my lord A Villiars
Edward, | think, lost two thousand
acres in one night in this ROOM" and
the old man grinned Beyond here is
the housekeeper's room, and this.
and he opened door leading into a
/ long corridor, leads to the staircase
by backway. and the picture gallery
and bedchambers."
"All right" said Lord Villiars; "weu
see them all; that is, If you are not
tired of the business already" and he
turned not to the colonel or the two
Miss divers. but to Joan, who started
slightly
/ oh no" she said.
Mr.. Craddock led the way up stairs
into the picture gallery.
Here a long string of Villi6rs and
Arrowtlelds stretched round the walls,
rows of stately and sweet-eyed, beauti.
full women and knightly men.
Portrait of the late Earl of Arrow.
field!' said Mr.. Craddock. stopping
before the last portrait on the wall
and leering up at it. Painted by
Gregson; cost four hundred guineas
laid the bill myself, my lord"
They all stood and stared at il as
in duty bound, with their heads on
one side, and the old man was passing
on when Lord Villiars said, thought
fully;
There used to be a picture here,
Mr.. Craddoek, used there not?" and
he pointed to an empty space next the
portrait of the late earl.
Mr.. Craddock nodded and coughed
Yes, my lord. The countess pic-
ture used to hang there, until she and
the earl parted; he had it taken down
then"
1T was a pity" said Lord villiars,
musingly "If remember rightly, II
vas the most beautiful face In the
, gallery"
1T was. my lord. 1t was" assented
the old man. The earl took It down
himself and carried II no one knows
where" and he shuffied out into the
upper corridor.
"All bedrooms, my lord. sixty-four
of them. Here's one; the best!'' and
he unlocked the door and showed them
a handsome room furnished in carved
sandalwood, with plush hangings.
You can now see the hall" he ad
ded, pointing over the balustra lie. and
they went and looked over j. to the
vast space beneath. with its carved
oak panels and mosaic floor. its
knights in armor and time eaten flags
Joan fingered little behind the
others, looking down into the empty
space.
All the poetry of her nature was
aroused by the antique and faded
glories of the place. and swift sud.
den longing came over her 10 own il
all
A voice at her elbow aroused her.