Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-04
CHAPTER XVII.

The same sort of depression under
which st. Lawrence was suffering at
fected Bertha Dalton; she lost her ap-
petite, and the faint Wild-rOSe bloom
faded from her cheeks, excepting when
some transient emotion sent the warm
blood flying to her face. Her employ
ments became distaSteful to her, and
she felt most truly thankful when her
mother expressed a wish that she should
decline taking any more pupils after
the holidays. She felt her strength
giving way; her old pursuits and amuse-
mentS lost their charm; she wandered
about the garden instead of WORKING in
1t, and liStleSSly turned over the pages
OF the books she attempted to read,
finding no interest except in her favor
tie poets. When she sung, she chose
| pathetic songs, but often, before they
We're ended, her voice faltcred, and she
| broke Off abruptly.
Her mother and sister did not notice
her mOCi-they were too much wrapped
up in their own concerns. Lena-per-
haps in some degree influenced by the
pictures of SplendOr and gayety her
mother was always holding up before
her eyeS-had succeeded, as she be-
lievCd, in crushing all the more tender
feelings out of her heart, And had def
nltely made up her mind to accept Fan
court. This being the case. she began
to think it was time he came to the
point. She wished to have her fate set
tied beyond recall. She, too, was rest
less and unhappy, and longed to have
within her grasp the prize that was
costing her SO much. She was no fool,
and, even if she had been fancy free,
could not have closed her eyes to the
defects of the man she had determined
to marry. Bertha openly expressed her
dislike of the honorable Mr.. FancOmt,
much to Mrs. DIltOn's diSpleaSure, and
Lena could but acknowledge to herself
that, if he had presented himself to her
under any other aspect than as heir to
a peerage, he would have been intOler-
able. But the COrOnet daZZled her eyes,
and she persuaded herself that in the
rank TO which such a marriage would
raise her she need not see much of her
husband. The world, in the gay scenes
of which she intended to take her full
share, would come between them, and
while he went his way she would go
hers, letting him know that he was to
consider it enough if she did the honors
of his house gracefully and well.
She was also DESTROYS that positive
engagement should take place before
1bCl tiltl, lltI JiVBItl. IllNl llti Stil VEIN
ca their autumn visit to the IarCheS.-
1t would be good opportunity for her
to be introduced to Lord AlphingtOn as
his grandSon's promised bride, OF his
consent to the marriage she felt as
Sured. She believed him to be simple
in his habits, too unambitiOuS. not to
be satisfied as long as his grandson
made choice of a lady; and. as Lena
surveyed her beautiful face and grace
full form in the mirror, she knew there
could be no question on that score
He will come to-day" said Lena. as
attlred IN an elegant morning costume
she sat down in her favorite place near
the window, and took up a book under
pretense of employment.
Then. my love, | shall make some
excuse To so out, announced the prud-
eht mother I believe he would have
proposed before this. if you had not
seemed to hold him so at arms length"
Thanks, mamma Lena languidly
returned. ~ know what I'm about.
never fear. Mr.. Fancourt is not BASH
full, assure you. 1t is quite necessary
he should be made to feel that he is in
the presence Of different sort of a
woman from those I imagine he has
been accustomed to-"
-
one" Mrs. Dalton admitted. But you
cannot blame me Il | am anxious to
see you SO admirably settled-beyond
even my hopes for you"
1ena's lovely face assumed an express
sion of diSdain. She had sufficient con-
seriousness of what was good and noble
to feel contempt for her mothers Sor-
did aNioms, when she heard them enun-
ciated, even while she acted upon them.
This consciousness had grown upon her
unawares during her intimacy with st.
Lawrence: and even now, as she sat
looking out into the sunny garden. a
keen pang shot through her as she
thought how he would deSpiSe her could
he read her heart. Little she knew
that he had read her through and
through-that early in their acquaint-
ance he had tried her in the balance and
found her wanting, and that not all her
beauty, all her wileS. had power TO
make him alter his judgment one iot
or one title.
Soon after luncheon Bertha. who was
in the garden, heard the sound of
horses hOOfS; it ceased at the gate, and
Sarah was summoned to admit the
Honorable Mr.. Fancourt. The groom
led away his horse and, seeing Bertha,
FancouTt advanced toward her. She
received him with a distant bow. keep
ing her garden-basket in her hand. She
always avoided shaking hands with him
when possible.
Mrs. and Miss Dalton are within. I
understands" he said, thinking TO him.
self that when he had married Lena he
would make her sister pay for her cold
and naughty manner.
Yes, they are at home. You will
find them in the drawing-room, l
think Bertha answered: and then she
turned and continued her occupation of
tying up some carnations. plainly init
mating that she wished for no CONVEX
sation with him.