Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-27

nounced. He was a tall, soldierly-
looking man, with a grave, serious
face, and dark, earnest eyes, which,
when he smiled, softensd and lit up in |
q wonderfully attractive manner.
In the presence of the two ladies |
Valerie's greeting to him was neces-
sarily restrained, silent but expressive |
pressure of the hands, and Captain |
Dalrymple turned to Lady Marchmont. |
81 have TO thank you for your great !
kindness in extending to me your invi-
tation to VAL"
M am too delighted to see you," said
Lady Marchmont, heartily: sand for
the rest. you know Val would not have
consented to come if you had not also
favored Us with your company"
AS she spoke she half turned toward
Mrs.. Maitland, with the evident
intention of introducing her, when, to
Walls establishment, that lady came
forward, holding out her hand as she
said, with hel most fascinating smile:
There is no need for an introduction,
Lady Marchmont; Captain Dalrymple
and are old friends"
Val turned her gaze to her lovers
face, and saw there an expression that
she could not exactly fatnom. Was it
surprise, annoyance or embarrassment?
He seemed for a moment somewhat at
loss for reply.
II did not expect to meet you," he
said at length.
"The unexpected always happens,
you know" replied Mrs. Maitland.
What did it mean? Val asked herself.
That they should be acquainted with
each other was not wonderful, but why
had Mrs. Maitland been silent on the
point toward her; and above all why
should her presence apparently discon-
Germ Vernon in some way?
She had not time to ponder further
on the subject, for the next moment
Captain Dalrymple turned to her with
his attractive smile, under the influence
OF which Walls disquietude melted in
| stantly. How absurd to IVORY about
such thing, when, of course, at the
first opportunity Vernon would explain
1t all. This thought revived her spirits,
and when few minutes later the party
was swelled by some other guests stay
ing at the hall she was the gayest of the
gay, enjoying delightful Lit le asides with
Captain Dalrymple, which enabled her
totally to forget the existence of Mrs.
Maitland.
"Meet me i'll the drawing-roon before
any one is down." she whispered to
him as they separated to dress for
dinner.
"All right, darling" he replied, as he
smiled down on her with those elo-
quent dark eyes that had won her
hearts allegiance,
Captain Dalrymple performed his
toilet IN Very short space of time, and
repaired at once to the drawing room,
there to await Val. He wandered into
the conservatory and paced about rest
leSsly. One of the glass doors opening
close by him caused him to turn quick
ly with smile Of welcome on his lips,
when, to his utter surprise, he found
himself confronted by Mrs. Maitland.
She came quickly forward with the
quiet, gliding walk which was peculiar
to her, but her habitual self possession
seemed strangely ruttled.
81 must apologize for this intruding
on you," she said, "but there was some
thing | wished particularly to ask you"
pie. His voice had taken its coolest
information, his face wore its erayest
aspect.
"Dont look at me like that, V NOR,
az though my presence were SO utterly
distasteful to you," she went on with
some agitation, whether real or feigned
he could not determine. II shall not
detain you long. What | want to ask
of You is that you will not mention to
Miss Charters what took place between
us year ago"
"Do you think it likely, Mrs. Matt
land, should mention the subjeci?"
mot Intentionally, perhaps, but
those things come out unawares some.
times, and | could not bear to be sub
jeot to Miss Charteris' 1idicule and
scorn."
"You need, l assure you, have no
fear. shall be silent on that score"
"You will give me your sacred prom
ice to that effect, will you not" she ask
ed eagerly.
He looked at her in aurprise. II
fail to understand you, Mrs. Maitland:
but since my simple assurance does
not satisfy you, am quite willing to
pledge you my word"
AS he spoke the drawing-room door
opened softly and Val appeared on the
threshold. The room was very long
one, ami Dalrymple, standing in the
conservatory with his back turned that
way, did not see or hear her. Not SO
Mrs. Maitland. True, she did rot
glance in the direction, but she knew
perfectly well who had entered.
She dropped her voice, but advanced |
few steps nearer to him.
81 cannot thank you sufficiently"
she said looking ut him most eloquent
)y; you do not know what weight |
you have lifted from my mind"
AS she spoke she took both his
hands in hers, and giving them ten
der pressure, turned and disappeared |
through the door by which she had en-
tered, leaving Captain Dairymple gaz |
ing after her with very perplexed
Countenance.
"What is the meaning of this?" he |
pondered. ~ never could fathom that |
woman. How unfortunate she should |
be here now"
Ere he returned to re enter the draw |
lDS-IOOul, val, VINO n6u STOOD at the |
open door motionless during these few
minutes, slowly drew it to after her,
and crept up stairs again, with strange |
chill at her heart.
Mrs. Maitland likewise FASTENED to |
regain her room.
How well 1 calculated" she MUIR
INJURED to herself, triumphant light |
shining in her cold blue eyes; chat was
a good move of mine. | knew she |
would want some explanation with her |
lover relative to our meeting. She will |
be still more anxious for it now, and he |
will refuse to give it for he has prom
ised. Vernon Dalrymple never goes
back from his word. How / hate that
girl with her confidence and pride in
his love. Let us see if her trust of |
which she boasts will stand her now in |
good stead. Who knows but what may |
win him yetP AT any rate, / shall |
make her suffer"
Meanwhile Vernon. as yet in happy |
ignorance of the trouble fate was pre-
pairing for him, had given up all hope |
of his tete-a-tete with Val, as one after |
another the guests assembled in the |
drawing-room; she only making her
appearance a few minutes before din |
ner was announced. At the first touch |
l.. l. Al