Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-09-05
Lady buttons -Ward
BERTHA CLAY
BY BERTHA N. CLAY.

Il am perhaps To blame for that, =
she replied gently, sharp culver
of pain passing over her face. 4
have found it out now
What viii the world say" cried
the countess. Every arrangement
made, even to the ordering of your
jewelsl"
They may even yet be worn, said
Barbara, with a smile.
Barbara" said Lady Bayreham
are you JEALOUSY"
No" was the reply. TRY to. be-
lieve me dear aunt. / am thoroughly
in earnest Our engagement was q
terrible mistake. | have found it
out, and refuse to fulfil it. Your son
is free. ! have told him so, and
nothing can change or alter my de
cis!on: it is made for life My great.
est grief is the sorrow / know it win
cause you
For once Lady Bayneham had moth
ing to say; she was too angry for
speech, too bewildered for remon-
STRANGE. too much annoyed to care
for further conversation.
You can leave me now, Barbara"
/ said the countess haughtily. 81 can
have no respect for any one VINO de-
| liberately breaks promise and
draws down ridicule upon those who
love her best. Have you considered
in what a cruel pos ton your conduct
places Clauo
He will be strong enough to bear
it," replied Barbara dryly. 81 nave
not remarked any change in his looks
or his spirits have you, aunt?"
Considering that Lady Bayneham
nad said that morning in Barbaras
presence, that her son had never
looked bettershe could make no
reply.
Net us be friends, aunt" said
Barbara gently. and there was
wistful tone in her voice. Let us
be friends. dear aunt have no
one in the world but you"
Lady Bayneham was, however, too
angry for any reply.
Il can but hope and pray, Miss
Earle, that you may soon return to
your senses" she said. "Will you be
kind enough to leave me now; the
dressing bell has rung. presume
You did not hear it,"
That was all the consolation Bar
hara Earle received in the greatest
trouble of her life.
CHATTER XII.
That evening fate was kind to
Hilda Hutton. The agent from Bryn-
mar came over purposely to consult
with Lady Hutton as to some alter
ations making at the Hall. So i.
happened that when Lord Bayneham
called in Park Gardens. he was told
hat Lady Hutton was engaged, but
that Miss Hutton was in the drawing
room.
Il will see her" he said, trying
to look as though she were a sub.
stitute for Lady Hutton, and signally
falling in the attempt.
When the drawing-room doors were
opened, there was no one to be seen:
but Glands quick eye dscerned the
floating of a white dress in the dim
light of the conservatory, and instinct
tod him to seek his love there. He
walked so quietly that she did not
hear him, and he stood for a mo-
ment lost. as an artist might have been
IN delighted admiration at so fair a
picture. The golden head and fair
young face shone brightly in the dim
mellow light. There was a dreamy
smile on the sweet lips. as though
pleasant dreams We're with her. She
was bending over some choice white
lilies. and they were not so fair and
pure as She thought Claud. She did
not look surprised when he uttered
her name. and the smile deepened as
though the pleasant dream had come
true
Mamma is engaged" she said in
reply to Lord Baynehams few words
The agent is here from brynmar
See, Lord Bayneham, he brought me
these lilies himself all the way.
1t was very kind of him." saiu
Claud; Il am not sorry Lady Hutton
is engaged, for { came purposely to
see you"
In some vague. indistinct way
Hilda knew what was coming. Her
simple loving heart futtered and beat
so quickly that she could hard,
breathe. She did not even follow
every word he said; but, when he
ceased speaking, it was as though
some exquisite strain Of music ceased.
Yet she would nave deferred. If SHE
could, the speaking of those words
that were to open a new life to her
She longed to hear them. yet felt
frightened at them.
"Hilda,' whispered the low voice
at her SIDE, do forget those lilies
for one moment and look at me. Can
YOU guess what | have 10 say?"
The shy, sweet eyes did not meet
his own; the little hands still trembled
amidst the white blossoms.
Il am jealous OF those flowers,