Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-12-03

how instinctiyely she shrinks from his
touch Then it is all over. and the cur
tain falls amidst loud applause. Flor
enca comes before the curtain in xe-
spouse to frequent calls, gracefully,
half reluctantly, with soft warm blush
upon her cheeks and light in her eyes
that renders her remarkable loneliness
only more apparent. Sir Adrian,
watching her with heart faint and
cold with grief and disappointment, ac-
knowledges sadly to himself that never
has he seen her look so beautiful She
advances and bows to the audience,
and only loses her self-possesSion
very little when bouquet directed at
her feet by an enthusiastic young man
alights upon her shoulder instead.
Arthur Dyneceurt, who has accom-
panied her to the footlights, and who
| joins in her triumph, picks up the bou-
quet and presents it to her.
| As he does so the audience again be-
! comes aware that she receives 1t from
| him in spirit that suggests detesta-
ton of the one that hands it, and that
| her smile Withers as she does so, and
! her great eyes lose their happy light Of
! a moment before.
| Sir Adrian sees all this too, but per-
! ]uades himself that she is now acting
! another part-the part shown him by
| Mrs. Talbot. His eyes are blinded by
| fealousy: he can not see the purity and
| truth reflected in hers: he miscOnStrues
! the panied expression that Of late has
| saddened her face.
For the last few days, ever since her
! momentOuS interview with Arthur
Dynecourt in the gallery, she has been
timid and reserved with Sir Adrian,
! and has endeavOrcd to avoid his sOcie-
Sba 10 with the tbpFrUlt
that he has read her secret love for him
| and seeks. by an assumed GOODNESS of
| demeanOr and Il studied avoidance of
him, to induce MIN TO believe himself
mistaken.
But Sir Adrian is only rendered more
miserable by this avoidance, In the
thought that probably Mrs. Talbot has
told Florence of his discovery of her
attachment to a. Luz, and that she
breads his taxing her with her dupllcl-
ty, and 50 makes strenuous efforts to
keep herself apart from him. They
have already drifted so far apart that
tonight, when the play has come to an
end, and Florence has retired from the
dressing-roOm, Sir Adrian does not
dream of approaching her to offer the
congratulations on her success that he
would have shOwered upon her i'll q
happier hour.
Florence, feeling lionel, and de-
pressed. having listlessly submitted to
her maids guidance and changed her
stage gown for pale blue ball-dress of
satin and pCarlS-aS dancing is to sue
coed the earlier amusement of the
cYcning-goes silently downstairs, but,
instead Of pursuing lier way to the ball
room, where dancing has already com
menccd, she turns aside, and, entering
a small, dimly lighted antechamber,
sinks YEARLY upon a satin-coTcred
lounge.
From distance the sweet strains of
q German waltz comes to her ears.
There is deep sadness and melancholy
in the music that attUnpS itself to her
own S0rrOWful reflections. Presently
the tears steal down her checks. She
feels lonely and neglected, and, bury
ing her head in the cushions of the
lounge, SobS aloud.
She does not hear the hasty approach
of footsteps until they stop close beside
her, and Il voice that makes her pulse
throb madly says, III deep agitation
"FlOrcnce-MisS DcImainc what has
happened? What has occurred to dis
! trCSS y0Ur'
Sir Adrian is bending over her, evil
IDENTIFY i'll deep distress himself. As she
starts, he places his arm round her and
raises her to a sitting posture; this he
does so gently that, as she remembers
all she has heard, and his Cousins as
SurancC that he has almost pledged
/ himself to another, her tears flow
atrcSh. BY supreme effort, however,
she controls herself, and says, i'll a
faint voice
Il am very foolish; ii was the heat, l
suppose, or the nervousness of acting
| - tll1t hoe
set me. 1t is over now. beg YOU will
not remember it. Sir Adrian, or speak
Of it to AIRY one"
All this time she has not allowed her
self to glance even in his direction,
80 fearful is she OF further hctrayimg
the mental agony She is enduring.
Ifs it likely should speak of it," re-
turns Sir Adrian reproachfully. NO;
anything connected with you shall be
sacred To me. But-pardon mel still
think YOU are in grief, and, believe me,
in spite of everything, would deem it
privilege to be allowed to b2friend
you in amy way"
at is impossible" murmurS Flor.
ence, in stitled tone.
" on mean you will not accept my
help'-sadly. $50 be it then. | have
TO right, | know, to establish myself as
your champion. There are others, nc
doubt, whose happiness lies i'll the fact
that they may render you service
when it is in their power. | do not
complain, however. Nay, | would even
ask you to look upon me at least as q
friend"
Il shall always regard you rs 8
friend" Florence responds in a low
voice. 1T would be impossible to me
to look upon You in any other light"
Thank You for that" says Adrian
quickly. Though our lives must OF
necessity he much apart. 1t will still be
comfort to me to know that at least
whcreNe CT yOu may be, You will think OF
me as Il friend"
"Ah," thinks Florence, with bitter
pang, The is now trying to let me know
how absurd WAS my former idea that
he might perhaps learn to love mclr
This thought is almost inSupportable
Her pride rising in arms, she subdue4
all remaining traces of her late emo
ton. and, turning suddenly. confrontS
him. Her face is quite COlOrleSS, but
she can not altogether hide from him
the sadness that still deSolatcs hal
eyes.
" on are right" she agrees. I'm tho
future our lives will indeed I've far dis
tant from each other, SO far apart that
the very tie of friendship will readily
be forgotten by us both"
FLORENCE. do not say that" lie en-
treats, believing IN his Turn that she
alludeS To her coming marriage with
his cousin. "And-and- not be an.
CRY with me; but | would ask you tC
consider long and earnestly before talk
ing the step You have in view Re
member it is Il bond that once sealed
can never I've cancelled"
~ bond, ! do not follow YOU" ex.
claims Florence hewildeurd.
All, You will not trust me; you Will
not contidc in me-"
II have nothing to colfide," persists
Florence, still deeply puzzled.
We'll, let it rest So returns Adrian
now greatly wounded at her deter
mined reserve, as he deems it. He calls
to mind all Mrs. Talbot had said about
her slyness, and feels dlsheartened. Al
least he has not deserved diStruSt AT
her hands. Promise me- he entreats
at last, that, if ever You are In danger
You will accept my help"
Il PROMISE she replies family. Then
trying 10 rally her drooping spirits, she
continues, with IN attempt at smile,
Tell me that You Will accept mine
should You he in any danger. Remeni-