Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-02-13
FILTRATION.


10 splash into the waves.
1t was a golden August evening,
moonless but radiant, with the balmy
air full OF fragrance OF new made hay,
mingling not unpleasantly with the
salt breath Of the sea, and the sky all
glorious with the dolphin-like bues
of the dying day, and Miss Sedley, sit
ting on the hotel balcony in her float,
ing robes Of white India muslin girded
with scarlet, and scarlet ycrbenas IN
her hair, made an exceedingly pretty
adjunct to the scene. She WAS a
brunette, with brilliant complexion,
all cream and crimson, jet black hair,
straight and glossy as an Indians and
eyes whose melting brilliance was
like the dusky glow OF tropic stars.
No wonder that little Ralph Mon
tacute, the enthusiastic boy Of eight
cen, was raadiy in love with her-no
wonder that he hung on her slightest
word as an Eastern devotee hangs on
the priests oracular utterances.
Slowly, Pauline, when | am at
your side, :" he said, . little reproach-
fully.
Pauline laughed and turned the dia-
mond and opal rings carrlessiy around
ON her fingers.
''You are only child, Ralph" she
said, little disdainfully.
II am a year older than You, Pau
line"
Pauline Sedley reached up TO tap
hisilushed, b:ardless cheek With her
fan.
"a girl of seventeen is equal to a
man Of twenty seven, any time,
Ralph. You're II nice little cavalier,
and YOU dance the polka delightfully."-,
but you see you are not fairly out Of
the top and ball phase yet. Now.
there's Gustavus Melville, he's man,
and your cousin. Harry Livingstone,
'cdraiicr sans peaI, ct sans reprochc,
Major Livingstone's majestic eyes are
enough To set any Woman's heart III
blaze"
She spoke abstractedly, looking out
toward the sea, apparently uncon-
scious that she had amy auditor but
the far eff waves and the mautling
twilight.
'paulinel" CALCULATED the boy, pas
sionately, 81 may be young in years,
but you have taught my heart prema
right To speak to me thus after play
ing with my affections all the sum
mer
Pauline glanced up in astonlsh-
ment. Finished coquettG that she Was
she had hardly expected this outburst
from the most insignificant OF all her
victims SHE had encouraged Ralph
Montacutes too visible Infatuation
simply because 1t pleased her to make
~ captive Of the pretty boy, and now
she was as much taken by surprise as
would be the fisherman If a writing
trout should suddenly find voice to
demonstrate when hook was being
twisted out of hi ,uivering jaws.
"My dear Ralph, you are talking
nonsense, she said lightly.
Nonsense is 1t nonsense to tell
you that | love you-that my heart
has passed irrevocably into your keep
ing; that life will be a desert without
you2'
"Yes very absurd nonsense! Go
back To school, Ralph, or college, for,
dear child should as soon think of
marrying little Tony Warwick, who
has Just got out of merino frocks"
ines lightly spoken words OF rldiculc
cut him 10 The heart
Pauline, he sand, almost sternly,
Hdo you think you have treated me
honorably}'
Pauline yawned.
"Ilonorablyl what big word for
the occasion Ono must amuse ones
self at a place like this, and You GER
tainly ought TO understand the differ.
cnCe between mcrG harmless tlirta
ton and real sober earnest. Now.
Ralph, do be sensible and leave off
teasing me, that's a good boy"
Ralph turned away.
. SEQ MIR. Melville is coming Thus
way. You will excuse me, Pauline2"
"Oh, certainly y
Pauline drew deep breath of relief
rs her youthful swain walked away
toward the star lighted beach.
''Who would imagine that the lit
tie fellow would have laid it SO serious
Iy to hearth she murmured softly as
she extended lily white hand to.
ward Mr.. Melville, who with half a
dozen others had sauutered up the
piazza steps.
You are looking grave, fair tragic
QUEEN" said Melville, drawing his
bamboo chair a hiae closer to her.
May one If the humbleSt of all your
slaves venture TO ask why2'
Did you ever kill or MAIN but
terhy2" demanded Pauline suddenly.
"A great many times, am afraid,
IN the thoughtleSSueSs of youth. But
why do you aSk3h
Because have just done the same
thing.
Mr.. Melville glanced questionably
round.
''Oh," laughed Pauline, lit wasn't
real winged insect, Mr.. Melville. /
was bu. speaking metaphorically
After all, that's matter of no y artic-
ular consequence-only a lesson the
child needed TO cure him of something
very like presumption. Its little
Ralph Montacute; he had the imperti
hence 10 tell mo he loved me- The
idea Of child like that taking advan-
tago of the encouragement one may
have thougAtlessly given him to i'm
agiue-but it's too ridiculous
Faith, | don't see the ridiculous
side OF it," said Melville, Sternly.
"Montacute is young, but he is man
ly fellow, and-pardon me, sovereign
lady OF all hcarts-but you did en-
courage HIM most markedly
Il never thought of anything
serious lisped Pauline, with an art
lessness truly angelic; 1T was only
the chance amusement of an hour.
Melville shrugged his shoulders.
"A good deal like the story of the
frogs and the boys, he said. "But to
dismiss sill less pleasant subjects
what do YOU say TO row on the sea by
Starlight"
Il shall be delighted.
And the merry group vanished into
the enpurpled darkness, their voices
ringing ON the air long after their
forms were imperceptible
Then, and not till then, tall figure
Eaised itself from the bamboo settee,
or couch, Just within the wide open
windows, where the cool muslin cur
tains waved softly at every breath of
the soft summer night breeze, and
Major Harry Livingstone coolly walk
ed out upon the piazza, igniting his
cigar as he did so.
1.-THE coquettel" ne muttered be-
tween his set teeth; 1.-THE heartlcss fiirt |
Now I heoin hetfer To cap1nreheud