Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-11-14
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.l

with these beings. Yes; beings-crea-
lures of that remote sphere which she
only knew in her dreams. Standing
near the portrait, she ventured to look
very timidly toward these radiant crea-
lures.
What did she see? A young man half
RECLINING in the deep embrasure of a
window, with the summer sunshine be-
hind him and the summer breezes fut-
tering his loose brown hair-that dark,
rich brown which is only a warmer
kind of black. She saw a man upon
whom benehcent or capricious nature,
IN some fantastic moment, had laVished
all the gifts that men most covet, that
women most admire. She saw one OF
the handsomest faces ever seen since
Napoleon, the young conqueror of Italy,
first dazzled regenerated France; a kind
Of face that is only familiar to us in
a few old Italian portraits; beautiful,
dreamy, perfect face, exquisite alike in
form and color.
Yes, capricious nature had showered
her gifts upon Roland Lansden, She
had made him handsome, and had at
tuned his voice to a low, melodious
music, and had made him sufficiently
clever, and beyond all this had be-
slowed upon him that subtle attitude
of grace which she, and she alone, can
bestow. He was always graceful. In
voluntarily aud unconsciously he fell
into harmonious attitudes.
The lady who vas called GwendOline
put up her eyeglass to look at another
picture, and in that attitude Isabel had
time to contemplate her, and saw that
she, too, was graceful, and that in every
fold of her simple dress-it was only
muslin, but quite a different fabric to
Isabels muslin-there was an indescrib-
able harmony, which stamped her as
the creature of that splendid sphere
which the girl only knew in her books.
George came in while his wife was
looking at Gwehdoline, and Mr.. Ray
mond suddenly remembered the young
couple whom he had taken upon him
self to chaperon.
II must introduce you to some new
friends of mine, Roland" he said; "and
when you are i'll you must send for Mr..
Gilbert, Of Graybridge, who, | am given
to understand, is a very clever surgeon
and whom | know to have the best
moral region l ever had under my hand.
Gilbert, my dear boy, this is Roland
Ransdell. Miss Gwendoline, Mrs. Gil
bert-Mr. Lansdel. But you know
something about my friend Roland, l
think; don't you. Isabel?'
Mrs Gilbert bowed and smiled and
blushed in a pleasant bewilderment. To
be introduced to two beings in this off
hand manner was almost too much for
Mr. Sleafords daughter.
faint perfume of jasmine and orange
blossoms fioated toward her from Gwen
doline's handkerchief, and she seemed to
see the fair-haired lady who smiled at
her, and the dark-haired gentleman who
had risen at her approach, through an
odorous mist that confused her senses.
81 think you know something of my
friend Roland" Mr.. Raymond repeated;
'eh, my dearY
'Oh. mo, indeed" Isabel stammer-
ed; Il never saw"
You never saw him before to-day"
answered Mr. Raymond, laying his hand
on the young mans shoulder with a kind
of protecting tenderness in the gesture
But you've read his verses; those pref
ty drawing room Byronics, refined and
anglicized, that you told me you were
so fond of-dOn't you remember asking
me who wrote the verses, Mrs Gilbert?
l told you the Alien was country
squire; and here he is-a squire of high
degree, as the old ballad has it."
lsabers heart gave a great throb, and
her pale face flushed all over with a
faint carnation. To be introduced to a
Being was something, but to be intro
duced to a Being who was also a poet,
and the very poet whose rhapsodies were
her last and favorite idolatry! She
could not speak.
Before she could recover her confusion
Mr.. Raymond had booked his arm
through that of Roland Lansdell, and the
two men had walked off together, talking
with considerable animation. Isabel was
left by the open window with Gwendoliue
and George, whose common sense pre-
served him serene and fearless in the
presence of these superior creatures.
You like my cousins poetry, then.
Mrs. GilbertP said Gwendoline.
Her cousin! The dark-haired being
was cousin to this fair-haired being in
the Partisan bonnet, white chin bon
net with just one feathery sprig of noun
tain heather, and the broad, thick. white
silk strings tied under an aristocratic
chinCa determined chin, Mr.. RAYMOND
would have told Isabel
Mrs, Gilbert took heart of grace now
that Roland Lansdell was out of hear
ing, and said, "Oh, yes; she was very
very fond of the Aliens Dreams thew
were so sweetly pretty"
Eyes, they are pretty" Ladg Gwen
doline said, seating herself by the win
dow, and playing with her bonnet strings
as she spoke; they are very graceful
Do sit down, Mrs. Gilbert; these show
PLACES are so fatiguing l am wai+in,
for papa, who is talking politics with
some people in the hall. l am very glad
you like Roland's verses"
Lady Gwendoline's papa came in nras-
emily to look for his daughter He was
General Angus Pierrepont Pomphrey. bnt
he wore black coat aud gray trousers.
just like other people, land had thick
boots.
He said, 'Haw, hum--Ses, to be sure,
my dear" when GwendoGne told him
that she was ready to go home; been
talking to WitherstOn-very good fell
how, Witherston, very gentlenanly young
tler, the son." and then he went to look
for Roland, whom he found ia the next
room with Charles Raymond, and then
Gwendoline wished Isabel gooG morning
and said something very kind to the eff
feet that they should most likely meet
again before long, Lowlands being so
near Graybridge; and then the General
offered his arm to his daughter.
She took it, but she looked back at
her cousin, who was talking to Mr..
Raymond. and glaDcing every now and
then in a hall unused half-admiring
way at Isabel.
Il am so glad to think you like my
wretched seribble, Mrs. Gilbert" he said,
going up to her presently.
Isabel blushed again. and said. ooh.
thank you; yes, they are very pretty"
"1ou are coming with Us, l suppose,
Roland?" Gwendoline said.
"Oh, yes-that is to say, III see YOU
to the carriage"
Il thought you were coming to lunch
con-"
mo; l meant to come, but I must see
that fellow Pereival the lawyer you
know, Gwendoline, and want 10 have a