Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-02-05
CHAPTER III.

Ethel Carlngford, was purposely very
late for breakfast on the following
morning, in the hopes of avoiding a
meeting with Captain Vane; but he,
too having passed Il restless, sleepless
night, was no earlier than she, and en-
tered the breakfast-room not five min
utcs after she had seated herself to her
solitary meal, her parents and the other
guests having broken their fast an hour
since and dispersed, each to pursue his
or her own particular amusement.
A cold bow was all the acknowledge
ment the dainty little lady vouchsafed
him as he appeared in tho doorway.
Bending his head i'll silence, he walked
TO the extreme end of the table, and
seating himself, partook of the dish in
front of him.
Then m awkward crisisa rose. Coffee
he must have, and she knew he
would not ask for it, neither would she
ring for the butler; so there was no
help for ii. IF Mahomed would not
como to the mountain, the mountain
must come to MahOmcd," so s.e rose,
and with tho cup in her hand, she
walked slowly to his side. Placing it
down, she was about to return to her
seat, when Eane looked up, his bronzed
lace passion pale, a weary look i'll his
deep gray eyes, 4 trcmOr i'll his usually
strong voice.
Then there is to be no peace and
goodwill between us this Christmas
morning."
The ycarninE tones, the infinite pain
III his naughty face shook the girls
pride to its deepest depths. Then love
whispered her to be true to her better
self, and but for the words that so
quickly followed. their miserable mis-
understanding might have disappeared
rs a mist before the MONDAY sun on
this clear December day.
i offered You yesterday, unasked,
the forgiveness that to another woman
could, never should, have been spoken"
Fatal speech! Her anger again rose
predominant.
"Forgiveuess and for what?" she
said, scorntuiiy. Remember. Captain
Nane, that | am not i'll the habit of ask
ing pardon, even when, perhaps, L
ought TO seek it; but from you it's alb
surd-madness-to expect such a thing;
and if peace between us depends on my
begging for it, there will be war be-
tween us now and for ever"
Impatient of what he considered such
heartlcSs conduct, he held out his hand.
Goodbye, Miss Carlingfordl' He
spoke loudly enough for Bella to hear
as she entered the room, looking ex-
tremely piqUdutC in the daintieSt of win
ter costumes, in which she had deter
mined to astoniSh and subjugate the
natives ofthis primitive village. Good
bye, Miss Fortescuel l am leaving here
to-day; in fact at once. Please to ac-
cept the usual Christmas greetings
And then shaking hands with her, he
left the room.
Has Daddy been giving you a SER
mon before church? What was his
text? Put not your trust in a woman
Do wake up, Ethel; you look rs if you
had seen a ghost"
BE quiet, dear" was the weary reply.
Go to church without me; l do not
care to 60"
Miss Bella thought of a happy expe-
dent with which to rouse her friend.
"Nerr well, dear, / will leave you
with great pleasure. l heard Sir Des-
mond Nanes musical voice Just now,
tenderly iuquiring of you, so bye-byel
l hope you will enjoy your tete-a-tete
with the dear old gentleman
"Oh, Bella, is that true?n
The real terror in Ethel's tones forced
more correct reply.
Well, not exactly; but he is coming
over this morning. Cyril has Just told
me so; therefore you had better come
to church. Lots of the men are going
with US; but if you are good you shall
walk with Charlie and me. OF course
he viii grumble, poor boy. No matter;
whenwe are married he viii be only too
happy for someone TO intrude, so he
must make the best of it now. Come,
Cissiel the air will do you good, and
the bright sun will clear away all cob
webs and Long Daddys caught therein
from your poor aching brain"
Half an hour later saw most of the
guests assembled in the hall of the
Manor House, preparatory to starting
for church.
During the sermon Ethel bent and
whispered to Bella, in awe-stricken
tones, "Oh, Bell, / have lost one of nv
gloves! pulled it off to gather that
piece of ivy, just before we came into
church"