Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-29
) | X T s ;
CHAPTER L


little ear, as she leisurely drew on her
small, pesrl-gray gloves, preparatory to
starting on skating expedition one
bright afternoon on the oath of Decem-,
Der, in the year of grace 1888.
"Wrongl-wrong, sir, for a pair of
| Houbigant's very bestlD saucily replied
| the girl, as she held out dainty little
hand to have the envied glove in ques-
ton fastened.
How so? 1 think not, Miss Fortes-
cue?" said the man, turning towards
| another occupant of the room. VIII
| you come to my rescue, and prove that
have not been guilty of wrong quota
| tion?"
What is it all about? 1 have been
pa3Sn mo attention to your nonsense"
s336 = graceful, fair girl, as she rose
from her chair and crossed the room to
| her friends side in answer to the Cap
| tain's summons.
Before she could receive a reply how
| ever, Miss Carlingford interrupted, in
soft, mocking tones
"Oh, fancy. Bell dear. Captain Vane
is actually poetical this cold winters
| day! And to make us aware of the sud-
den change wrought in his usually
| prosaic temperament, he misquotes the
| White Swan of Avon to an alarming
sxtent! He says, that might kiss that
| cheek; while | maintain that it's touch,
not kiss, in the original. Pass me that
Shakespeare, if yon please Captain Vane."
And she pointed to a handsome edi-
ton, lying on the table close at hand.
| DO not be so foolish. Ethel. Every
one knows that you are right, and that
| the Captain is wrong; but it is too cruel
of you to expose your admirers little
,endreSse, and prove him much more like
goose than swan"
Thus saying, Bella Fortescue looked
with a saucy, brilliant smile into the
unfortunate mans face, but no answer
ing brightness met hers there. The
stern, worn, though handsome features
| flushed duSky red us he, without an
other word, turned to leave the room.
But, changing his mind, Vane re-
Traced his steps to Ethel's side, and,
bending, whispered in low, hard tones,
| Il accept the bet, and at the same time,
acknowledge my presumption, which
| however, you have severely punished by
holding up to rid:cule the oveyoumust
know has taken such firm hold upon
me. Forgive me if. III my present mood,
prefer long, solitary walk to being
! your escort to the lake"
Ethel Carlingford drew her slender
form up proudly us she replied, Cap
tain Vane, | assure you that neither
| Miss FOrteScue or myself will regret
your absence, nor do we desire to retain
by our side any unwilling cavalier.
| Doubtless there are others of my faith
| erS guests who will be only too happy
to join us in our afternoons amusement,
and so you have our permission to set
out at once on the desired long, solitary
walk which | trust sincerely you will
| enjoy"
In naughty silence Vane made pro-
found bow, and left the room.
Bravo! bravo, Cis." laughed Bell.
you looked like tragedy queen as
you gave poor 'GaWky' his dismissal.
I'm glad. too, for have feared lately
that you, who have never allowed your
little heart to be touched either by fran
| tically tender love appeals of the pros
pect of deer park and 10000 a-year,
had at last most ANONYMOUSLY lowered
your flag to the enemy in the shape of
handsome, penniless Desmond Vane;
but, thank goodness, am now made
easy ON that point, and since the coast
is clear once more, | shall still hope to
see you Lady Leslie, with all the de-
hghtful neCessaries that money can
procure, together with that dreadful
old parsonage in the shape of husband
Sir Donald Leslie"
Here, the girls breath absolutely fail
ing her, she paused, and looked up to
see how Ethel was taking her badinage.
| To her utter establishment and con-
sternatiOn, she perceived that her friend,
instead of meeting her railleries with
the derisiOn she generally bestowed up
| on them, had thrown herself on to the
sofa, and was weeping bitterly.
Dearest, what have | said to hurt
you so? Or is Tho, Cissie! can it be
that you do really love Vane?"
flush! hush, Bell" And the pretty,
tear-stained face was raised earnestly
| to her companions. Yes; you have
| guessed my dreadful secret do love
| himl Why l know not, for he always
| treated me with cool Indifference, and
never until this morning has he limited
| one word of the love for which [ have
| longed; and then, when he did, fool
| that l waS,-laughed at him in your
presence, thing he will never, never
forgive, am sure: and he is much too
proud to return after my dismissal"
"Oh, cheer upl for since you will love
him" pouted Dell. Il suppose l must
try to help you out of your trouble; so
listen to me. He leaves here in a few
days, so it will not cost you much to
avoid him for so short a time; but when
you meet, treat him with cold disdain-
not as you have done, you wicked little
coquette, one day kindly, the next in a
cold, keep-your-distance style. That
won't do now. Be firm; and if be can
stand that on the eve of departure, he's
bigger icicle thanI took him for. Now
dry your eyes, and do not let all the
world see you in tears becauseyour gal
liant soldier has loved and rode awav.'
/ will go and fetch Mr. Derring and
Bob BelleW, and make them take us to
the ice. Be quick, or we shall not get
any skating to-day; it's late already"
Rising to her feet, Ethel Carlingford
stood in front of the glass, and as she
smoothed her pretty ruff1ed locks, re-
piled to her friends advice
Yes, Bell; [ will treat him with the
disdain he deserves. You are quite
right, dear; only tell me why should I
care for man who cares so little for
me? Other men obey my slightest wish;
why, then, Should Captain Vane be ex-
empt? But, oh. Bell, dearl" she plead
ed; tell me, does he love me little?"
"Of course he does, poor dear mani
But | certainly never saw any one so
awkward under love-attack before; he
is evidently not used to it, like most of
our friends. Hank, is not that Cyril's
voice? We shall certainly miss them if
you are not quick"
Before, however, they could leave the
room the door was flung hastily open to
admit three men-at least. men in en-
bryo-for the first to enter was a youth
of sixteen, and so striking a likeness
existed between him and Ethel CARING
ford that it required no introduction as
to their relationship.
AT MS heels came two very good speci-