The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17

ries of their adornments. Rupert took much pleasure In concerning himself with the preparations. and fin giving such suggestions as hIs artistic taste might offer for their disposal and multiplication. Under his guidance some of the ancestral portraits seem cd to. look out on the galleries not from their mechanicaliy-constru frames but from boughs and branches and leaves sacred to Christmas time Rupert had in his mind. however. one thought all the time--the thought that he must not lose that opportunity of opening his whole heart to Isola. It was not that he had any doubt as to his knowledge of his love for her. or that he did not feel sure her heart was turning towards him.
 Long before this meeting he had felt sure that they two were drawing closer and closer every day in that sympathy which is the fountain of love. But he had a purpose in his mind which 1t was his earnest resolve to cary out at once, and for which he felt that he could not find better op- portunity than that now afforded him by the shelter of the Bellingham man. sion. The heavy snows which were ushering in Christmas rendered their walks and drives impossible for the present, even if Sir Walter had not for bidden his daughter to be seen abroad in such companionship: and his fond desire was to declare his love fully and deliberately to Isola that day. and to put her to that love-test the result of which if it proved favorable to him would ensure his happiness and then leave it to him to do all in his power towards ensuring hers. The chances of the day proved favorable to his wishes. Some other friends of Mrs. Bellingham's-men as well as women-came In from the country houses around; friends who were to make part of the approaching fes- tivity, and Mrs Bellingham had to take the newcomers into other parts of the galleries to show them what already been done in the work of orna- ment. Rupert drew Isola aside to ex- he said, could still be improved; and they presently found themselves alone In the one of the smaller galleries,
 Then he began:
 T have loved you from the first" Rupert said. T have seen a great deal of the world. and done or tried to do many things. but I had never never fallen in love before. And do you know. 1sola. that the one dream of my life from my very boyhood has been that might be loved by some woman who could love me as l loved her merely for my own sake. and net because of any worldly advantages that I could bring to her"
 Then your dream. Rupert. Is a real ity." Isola murmured. and she gently laid her hand upon his arm.
 'I know 1t, I know it," Rupert ex- claimed, passionately. Many lime. Isola. in my wanderings. I have con graduated myself on not having been born to rank or fortune. because that R- nh hA A H chance of finding a woman who could love me for myself; and If I could not find her.. wished to live alone. You see. Isola," he said, with bright smile, T was always set down as a romantic sort of fellow; but in that have got my own way in the end--I have found the woman who can love me Tor my self, have I not?'
 You have indeed found her, Rupert. and you will find her very true to you"
 "But your peopleT he asked, anX- iously How will they take up with our romantic ideas? I am sure, dear girl. that I should be able to keep you in tolerable comfort; but that Is not exactly the sort of thing that members of the British aristocracy claim for their daughters. and I am afraid Sir Walter will not be disposed to give much of hearing to the love-in-a- cottage theory"
 My father has spoken 10 me aDout 1t already" Isola said. timidly, and with her eyes cast down. He spoke very strongly; he said I must not be seen walking with you any more. My mother, think. l could win over more easily; but am afraid my father will he hard to move"
 "Would not even move. I suppose. if were to be another Claud Melnotte. and suddenly produce some enormous purse containing twice the sum which had been stipulated for as the pur- chase money of my bride? No. that would not suit him--for the Claude Melnotte would still be only one of the lower orders, and could have no claim whatever by his mere wealth to wed with a daughter of the aristocracy."
 Rupert, Rupert! You must not speak of my father in that contemptu- ous way; 1t makes me angry with my self, for I feel that I ought not to have told you anything to his disadvantage He loves me dearly"
 ''Loves you dearly, and yet would not regard your happiness as the first thing to be thought of in arranging for your married life! But believe me, | Isola, I would not. for anything in the world, say a word that could hurt your feelings; I only love you all the
 AaE.u- (