Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-05-19
CHAPTER XII.

81
Lady Farnley's report of the Lady
of Da ourt was so glowing thai
visits and invitations poured in from
all sides; and on all sides it was de
cided that Lady Farnley, enthusias
tic as she had been, had not exag
gerated. There were some who de
clared that they did not believe the
story of the school at ST. Malo, and
that Lucille must have been perfectly
finished" and brought out before
she came into the property. How
else could she have obtained that
quiet dignity and easy, unconscious
grace which she possessed in so con
Spicuous degree?''
In a word, Lucille was pronounced
distinct and decided success. The
unmarried men went mad about her
and swarmed round her in eager
shoals; but alas! they received NO
encouragement. The great heiress
the richest catch in the country
was civil to one and all, and that was
ALL
Now, there was one man who did
not join in the ardent swarm OF wor-
shippers who buzzed around her
and angled for word Or smile, and
that was the Marquis of Merle, who
wanted her most, and who had sworn
to marry her within six months, who
must marry her unless he meant to
drift to ruin and disgrace
She met him nearly everywhere
she went-at dinners, and afternoon
teas, at musicals and Dances. but
beyond shaking hands with her, and
once, in the evening, perhaps, ex
changing a word or two with her, he
did nothing to mark his special at
tention. But when he spoke to her
it was in a lowered voice, voice
which was saddened and subdued
and he stood and looked at her from a
distance, with a humble, pleading
gaze, which, though he concealed II
from others, he took care should
meet her eyes whenever she glanced
at him.
1t was fattery of the most artfu
| and effective kind, and it was backed
up by Marie Werner, who never lost
an opportunity of pleading his cause
in light and careless sort of way
Il really do pity that unfortunate
marquis, Lucille" she said, as they
were being driven home from a din
ner, during which the marquis had
only said two or three words to her
and had appeared as if lost in mel
ancholy reveries.
pity him! Why should you pity
him?" said Lucille, coldly.
We'll, / cannot help it. The
poor man is so palpably and genuine
ly miserable. He knows that he has
offended you, and he thinks you will
never take him back into favor. II
| were in his place | should take my
forgiveness as matter of course
and be as bold as the rest, but he
holds you in too much respect and
awe for that. He has simply lost his
temper, owing to his anxiety on your
account"
VI, ais o"H, SoiO we
had this discussion before, Marie. Il
have been offended with the mar
quis | have-forgiven him, and now
let it rest, dear"
Marie Werner sank back among the
soft cushions, and laughed carelessly
enough. but the next morning the
marquis received a short note, un
signed, and contained in three words
Il should call"
That afternoon the Marquis Of
Merle was announced.
Marie Werner, who was sitting al
the piano, while Lucille was reclining
on a couch by the window, not read
ing, but with a book in her hand
looked up and smiled as she shrugged
her shoulders.
Poor marquis! Summoned ur
courage TO call, has he? expect he'll
! be frozen to death for his palms.
Not by me- said Lucille, coloring;
81 do not do things by halves. Yor
are very energetic advocate. Ma
| rie."
"Oh. I like the marquis: perhap:
! all the better for his little display o.
temper; besides, he may do me &