Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-02-08

An opportunity gladly seized
The right chord touched-a dear one
pleased"
How beautiful the day is" said
the countess; 1T is a pity that all
Englishmen cannot see such a sky and
such a sun for once in their lives.
Now. confess the truth. Lady Selwyn:
did you ever see sunshine like this?"
But there was little brightness in
the face looking into hers
you did not want 10 talk 10 me
about the Italian sun. am sure" said
Lady violante. with a smile. What
Is the subject OF our conversation 10
be?"
4 viii tell you" replied the
countess. a smile ripping over her
lovely face. 1T seems 10 me that
you. Lady Selwyn. Miss Leigh. and
myself are the three prettiest women
in Florence. You see I am not deficient
in vanity, am 1? Do not look so
Mortified az me"
Il I'm not Mortified" replied Lady
ViClante; but I did not know that
people ever spoke in that way OF
themselves"
Il do said the countess. gayIy.
Since I was e dreadful little firt OF
seven ! have always considered my
self one OF the prettiest Of women. II
you had Z magnificent voice. for ex-
ample. could you help knowing that
yOU sang well?"
mo. said Lady Selwyn; "but that
is a different thing"
1T is a gift; beauty. talent. genius.
grace. all are gifts. We are proud to
own that we have genius: why should
We pretend to ignore the fact that we
have beauty? I 20 not: I openly re-
iOice In the fact that Heaven has
given me a pleasing face. and am
proud OF IL; are not your"
II never thought OF it in that light. -
said Lady Selwyn. Il have never
thought much OF myself at all. Am
really beautiful, countess-bealtifu
as Miss Leigh"
YOr style is so different" was the
laughing reply. Miss Leigh is the
very queen of brunettes. you the queen
~ blondes. Ny cOuntrymen all think
YOU thousand times more fair"
And then Countess Sitani laughed a
silveTy. musical laugh at the wistful
expression OF Lady Violante's face.
We viii take the fact for granted.
she said Il heard yesterday the
Prince Cessre called us the Three
Graccs-' Ny idea. the matter or
which I came TO speak to you. Is this
could we not get up some charades.
or Jab.eaux vivants. in which we could
all three appear? | have mentioned
il To scme people. and they are charm.
I'd with the idea"
y DO not know: / am not clever.
replied Lady Selwyn. and the wfstful
look deeneTed on her fair face. you
are so kind. countess. / can sneak tn
Won ct myself All my youth. al least
the greater part OF II. was spent in a
quiet country home. where there was
To f~vety OF any kind. and 7 am nm.
accustomed 10 it-almOst afraid OF Il 20
All. then" thought the heautifCl
countess what people say is true
Lord Seiwyn. with his dark. handsome
patr4cian face, and chivaIrOus high.
bred manner. has married beneath
him after all"
But to Lady ViOlante she turnej q
bright. laughing face.
You need never fear" she said
No matter how quiet your youth was
you have beauty and grace. and wbat
IS even better. tact All. how much
lies IN that little word. You brighten
yourself without cause. Promise me
20 Join our tableaux. I will bring Won
through safely. You have but 10 Jool,
pr'tty. and that viii come natural TO
you Lord Selwyn would be so
pleased"
she had touched the right chord az
last The hardest heart might have
.been Softened at the wistful pleading
OF Lady Selwyn's face.
Do you really think" she said
that might do welI?"
Il am sure. Give me your promise
that you viii shake of that foolish
timidity. and shine as you were meant
70 do; leave the rest TO me-"
7 DO promise" said Lady Selwyn.
II / fail. as I generally do I'm matters
81 that kind. you will not be very
angry with me-"
II never was angry I'm all my life. "
said Countess Sitani: eft spoils ones
facc-besijes. never hal cause.
have only said half Of what want 10
say. Lady Selwyn. II your mind is as
fun Of poetry as your face. you must
be able 20 invent some grand tableauy.