Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-01-07
F0ILED.


How glad am to have met you,
my dear Miss Carlisle, just rs you are
looking for some quiet, hcalthful place
where you may spend the summer.
Now | know of one which will surely
suit you-whcrc | always pass the
warm months myself" And kindly
Mrs. Wilmington went on to speak So
enthusiastically about the charms Of
We've Hurst, that before we parted
had promised toaccompany her there
few weeks later.
The time rolled around, and rs was
ushered into a cosy, old-fashioncd par
lor, and noted the subdued harmony of
its arrangements, acknowledged that
my friend had not exaggerated when
She said that "Wicve Hurst was not at
all like ordinary boarding places.
Just then the door opened, and
framed in its dark oak carving was Il
young girl, in Il dress of soft gray, with
her brown hair, little disheveled by
the wind, curling down over her sheul-
ders from beneath Il wide garden hat,
the only spot of bright color about her
being the tiny knot of rose-hued ribbon
at her throat.
"Ah, here she is? Miss Carlisle, let
me introduce you TO Miss Christabel.' >
started. ! knew that was then
Of our hostess, and my mind had pic
tured a tall. spare maiden lady like my
self.
Miss Christabel, this is the new
boarder-an old friend of NINE.
Mrs. Withington's eyes fairly beamed,
and the diamond drops i'll her ears
seemed as if they glittered with SYM
pathy, as with her head on one side she
enjoyed my astonished expression a
moment. Miss Christabel was evident
ly ~ great favoIltc with hor.
That was my first meeting with
sweet Violet Christabcl. ] learned af-
terward from my friend that her father
had once been wealthy, but that his
money had gone through unwise spec
ulations, and that il was only through
the exertions Of his daughter they had
since been enabled to live i'll comfort.
There was another boarder who will
figure in my story, and / will describe
him at once. His name was kcath
Kimball, and he was staying at the
Hurst Will an invalid mother. His
face intdIested me from the first,
and though Mrs, Wilmington called
me IL romantic old maid for think
ing him handsome. | still cling to my
opinion.
To be sure his expression had almost
too much gravity, and there were a
few deep lines carved by time and
thought upon his brow; but il was il
noble, powerful face, and no one could
look into the soft, dark depths of his
eyes without feeling that faith reposed
in this man would never be regretted.
/ soon saw that he felt no small de-
gree Of interest in the sweet young
creature whose fragile shoulders up
bore so bravely the responsibilities her
position entailcd. and in my mind !
had Il nice little romance all planned
before | had been III inmate Of the
Hurst many weeks. / did not dare to
confde it to Mrs. Wilmington for fear
If her ridicule
Old MI. Christabel seldom made his
appearance, as he was not strong, and
kept his own room pretty much all the
time.
One day a visitor came to the Hurst,
and Miss Chrstabel introduced him to
us as a Mr.. Dacre. He was rather
young and stylish in his appearance,
but something made me take dislike
to him. and when in confidence Mrs.
Wilmington told me that our young
hostess was betrothed to him, and /
saw my air castles thus oyerthrown,
my dislike did not lessen But, if it
were true, | made up my mind that
they were the strangest pair Of lovers
my old eyes had ever rested upon. lie
WIS very devoted, but it seemed to me
the girl shrank from his attentions
and yet she did not avoid him. Alto
gether could not understand it.
One afternoon | was seated in the
bay window hidden by the lace drape-
ries, idly looking out, when the sitting
room door opened and two persons en-
tered, and before ! could make my
presence known a voice | recognized
- Mr.. Kimball's fell or my ear.
Violet tell me the truth, Can it
be that you are engaged TO this
Dacre9" Without giving her time to
reply, he went on hurriedly; Only 4
short time ago You did not chide me
when told you Of my love- bot let me
cave you with the blessed hope that il
vas returned. Why i it that you are
80 changed Must ] think that you
IRE that false, cruel thing eo-
quette ?"
Then Miss Christabel,- low voice an
.wered with quiyer of pain
oh, do not, Mr.. kimball, do not
speak thus. for | am Robert Dacres
hetroihed wife.
There was moments silence: then
he said passionately.
Farewell to faith Ia woman, ] sec
i all. You loved me when / was with
YOU. hnt when Yas obliged u leave