Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-08-29

would have seen the lips culver as
they smiled. Claud rose hastily: his
face flushed deeply. The countess.
serenely unconscious, continued her
remarks.
1 should like to have your portrait.
Barbara. Mr.. Seton is one of the first
OF living artists; we will speak to him
about it to-day. We shall be side by
side then in the great gallery"
Barbara made no reply. She was
thinking of the fair young face that
would be next to that of the stately
lady before her, while she, Barbara
Earle. would never be portrayed as
one of that race. Claud walked un.
easily up and down the room, longing
to make an end of the painful scene.
but not knowing how. At last, to his
intense delight, Lady Bayneham rose
and quilted the room, still serenely
unconscious of all wrong.
This is intoierable," he cried Bar
bara, | cannot forgive myself for allow
ting you to go through such a scene.
My mother must be told at once"
Barbara raised her clear dark eyes
to his face and though the warm tears
shone brightly in them, she smiled,
and said bravely. 1T could not be
helped; do not be vexed, Claud, l
was wondering if diamonds looked well
with golden hair And that reminds
me that time is precious. Take a
cousins advice, and see Miss Hutton
to-day. We may still call at Storr and
Mortimer's, you know
But, Barbara" said Claud gently.
Il think more of you than YOU do
Oh yourself. l cannot bear to think of
love or happiness while you are"
He stopped abruptly, not knowing
quite what to say.
While am unhappy, you mean.
suppose sad Barbara, half haugh.
tily, yet with a smile of amusement.
How candid you are, Claud. Never
fear for me. The past is all dead: it's
ghost will never haunt me. with all
my heart l intend to help you: and
when you marry Miss Hutton | shall
stand by her side, for two reasons
One is, that the sight of your happi.
ness will more than repay me for any
pain | may suffer; and the second is,
that no one shall say Barbara Earle
fed like live-sick schoolgirl No
one shall ever know the truth of
this affair but you and l, Claud."
The truth is, said her cousin, with
a smile, chat you have dismissed me.
Your reasons for so doing concern no
one but yourself"
Il VIII speak to my aunt" said Bar
bara: "she will take it better from me
than from you. And now, Claud. go.
| can see Impotence in every line of
your face. l venture to predict, If you
call, you will find Miss Hutton at
home"
For once Barbara was wrong. When
Lord Bayneham reached Lady
Hutton's, he found both ladies absent,
and was obliged to wait until two O.
clock, when he intended 70 be al Mr..
seton's. Nor was Barbara more fortu.
nate. She made several efforts to OBJ.
tain an interview with the countess
but on that particular morning her
ladyship was unusually, engaged. and
when they left home Lady Bayneham
was still in happy ignorance. Barbara
knew her aunt too well to attempt any
communication of that kind in an open
carriage. She knew what the storm of
anger would be.
Il should be better satisfied" said
Mr. Seton, as the group of ladies stood
round his easel, IF Miss Hutton had
the same bloom upon. her face that
She had when / first saw her. She
looks pale-something like a dropping
flower. Late hours and much dancing
do not improve our fair and fashion
able ladies'"
Lady Hutton looked anxiously at
her ward; then, for the first time. she
noted how changed was the fair young
face. There could he no mistake
about it. Hilda might laugh and sing,
but that look could only come from
sorrow-sorrow, too, that had taken
deep root. What could 1t be? Surely
the child could not have fallen in
love--she, SO innocent, so fresh and
pure, SO untouched by the world, so
utterly unconscious of all passion. Yet
nothing but love could have stolen the
bloom from that lovely face, the bright
ness from the sweet eyes. and yet have
left greater beauty in in their plice.
When Mr.. Seton spoke, deep flush
covered Hilda's face, and her eyes fell.
The loss of a little color is easily
remed ed" said Barbara, with a smile;
art can do something where Nature
fails; there are plenty of blooming
roses in that color box Mr. Seton
Lady Bayneham was busily engaged
in criticising Lady Diana Foreclerc's
portrait
Il call that perfect work of art,
Mr. Seton" said her lady-ship gra.
ciously: without fattering Lady
Tliana harr.. q