Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-12-10
The Haunted Chamber.
BIZ THE DUCHESS.
ICoHtinued.l

L think" SAYS Dora. with the pref
test hesitation. If YOU are sure it
would not be an unkind thing TO do, l
could scratch out this name"-pOinting
to her partners for the coming dance.
Il am not sure at ALL" responds Sir
Adrian, laughing. L am positive it
will be awfully mkind of you to de-
priye any fellow of your society; but be
unkind, and scratch him out for my
sake"
He speaks lightly, but her heart beats
high with hope.
For your sake" she repeats softly
drawing her pencil across the name
written ON her programme and substi-
tuting his.
But you viii give me more than this
one dance" queries Adrian. rs there
nobody else you can condemn to mis-
cry out of ali that ist?"
You are Unsuitable" she returns.
bluShlng and growing confused. But
you shall have it all your OWN way.
Here"-giving him her caril-"take
what waltZeS you will" She waItZes to
perfection, and she knows it.
Then this, and this. and this" says
Adrian. striking out three names on
her card, after which they move away
together and mingle with the other
dancers.
In the meantime, Florence growing
fatigued, OF diSinclined to dance lon
ger with Dynecourt, stops abruptly
near the door of Il conservatory, and.
leaning against the framework, gaZeS
with listlesS interest at the busy scene
around.
You are tired. VIII you rest for
awhlleI" asks Arthur politely; and, as
she bends her head in cold consent, he
leads her to Il cushioned seat that is
placed almost opposite to the doorway,
and from which the ballroom and
what is passing within it are distinctly
visible.
Sinking down amongst the blue-satin
cushions of the seat he has pointed out
to her, Florence signs softly. and lets
her thoughts run, half sadly, half glad
", upon her late interview with Sir
Adrian. At least, if he has guessed
her secret, she knows now that he does
not deSpise her. There is no trace of
contempt in the gentleness, the tender
ness OF his manner. And how kindly
he has told her of the intended change
i'll his life, Their paths would lie far
asunder for the future" he had said,
or something tantamount to that. He
spoke no doubt OF his coming marriage.
Then she begins t. speculate dreami-
~ upon the sort Of woman who would
be happy enough to be his wife She is
still idly Illuminating on this point
when her companion : voice brings her
back to the present. She had 50 far
forgotten his existence in her day
dreaming that his words come to her
like whisper from some other world,
and occasion her an actual shock.
Your thoughttulncss renders me
sad" he is saying ImpreSsiVely. 1T
carries you to regions where | can not
follow you"
To this she makes no reply. regard
ing him only with calm questioning
glance that might well have daunted a
better man. 1t only nerves him how
ever to even holder words.
The journey your thoughts have
taken-haS it been pleasant One?" he
asks, smiling.
Il have come here for resi-, not for
conversation. There is undisguised
dislike in her tones. Still he is I'M
touched by her Scorn. He even grows
more defiant, as though determined to
let her see that even her avOWed hatred
can not subdue him.
IF you only knew" he goes on, with
slow meaning. regarding her as he
speaks with critical admiration, "how
surprisingly beautiful you look to-
night, you would perhaps understand
i'll a degree the power you possess over
your fellOW-creatureS. In that attitude,
with that slight touch of scOrn upon
your lips, you seem meet partner for
a monarch"
She laughs low contemptuous
hotly in his veins.
" And vet Won havn the ho1fIpncc To
offer yourself as an aspirant to my
favor" she says. in truth, sir, you
value yourself highly"
Love Will find the way" he quotes
quickly, though plainly disconnected by
her merriment. And in time | trust I
shall have my reward"
In time, | trust you will" she re-
turns, Ill tone impossible to miScOn-
Strue.
At this point he deems it wise to
change the subject; and, as he haltS
rather lamely in his cOnvers alton, at a
loss to find some topic that may in
terest her or advance his cause, Sir Adj
rian and Dora pass by the door of the
conservatory.
Sir Adrian IS smiling gayly at some
little speech of DOra'S, and Dora is
looking up at him with a bright express
happiness she feels.
"Ah, | can not help thinking Adrian
is doing very wisely" observes Arthur
Dynecourt, some evil genius at his ell
bow urging him to lie.
"DOing-What?" asks his companion,
reused suddenly into full life and in
tereSt.
You pretend ignorance, no Doubt
smiling. But one can see Adrian's
marriage with Mrs. Talbot has been
talked about for some time amongst
his intimates."
4 clasp like ice seems to seize upon
Miss Delmaine,s heart as these words
drop from his lips. She restraints her
emotion brayely, but his lynx-eyc reads
her through and through.
They seem to be more together to-
night than is even usual with them"
goes on Arthur blandly. Before YOU
hOnOred the room with yOur presence,
he had danced twice with her. and now
again. 1t is very marked, his attention
tonight"
AS matter of fact Adrian had not
danced with Mrs. Talbot all the even
ing until now, but Florence. not hay
ing been present at the opening of the
ball, is not in Il position to refute this,
as he well knows.
IF there is anything in her friend
ship with Sir Adrian, feel sure Dora
would have told me of it," she says
slowly, and with difficulty.
And she hasn't?" asks Arthur with
SO much surprise and inCredulity in his
manner as goes far to convince her
that there is some truth in his state
ment We'll, we'll" he adds, zone can
not blame her. She would doubtless be
sure of his affection before speaking
even to her de est friend"
Florence winces. and sinks back up
on the seat as though unable to sus-
tain an upright position any longer.
Every word of his is as gall and worm
wood to her, each sentence a reminder
"a TeprOach. Only the other day this
man now beside her had accused her
of making sure of Sir Adrian's affsc-
ton before she had any right so to do.
Her proud spirit shTinks beneath the
cruel taunt he hurls at her.
y on look unusually done up he
goes on. in a tone of assumed commits
seratiOn. This evening has been too
much for you. Acting part at any
time is extremely trying and labor
ions"
She shrinks still further from him.
Acting part! Is not all her life be-
coming one dreary drama. In which she
acts a part from morning until night?
Is there to be no rest for herr Oh, to
escape from this man at any pricel She
rises to her feet.
Our dance is almost at an end" she
9 frsah .lu SC