Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-25

these conflicting ideas that caused ne-
manner to be constrained and embar-
raised.
They spoke at first of Douglas; and
Mrs. Dalton could not forbear express
ing something of their disappointment,
which made st. Lawrence fully under
stand that Bertha had kept Douglas S
proposal a Secret-aud he loved her the
more for it. though it was only what he
would have expected from her. He in
uuired for the young ladies, and was
told that they had gone out together.
You have heard of an approaching
event III our family. probably" said
Mrs. Dalton at last. by way of intro
ducing Fancourts name.
yes, have heard" st. Lawrence
replied. gravely. May | ask if any
time is yet fixed for the ceremony"
''NO-the day is not yet absolutely
fixed. :" Mrs. Dalton replied. You see
there are settlements, and good many
things to consider. in forming an ALI
ance with man of Mr.. FancOurt's pO-
sition. Lord AlphingtOn has been laid
up with an attack of the govt. We
have not seen him yet, but | must say
he has behaved most generously"
st. Lawrence cOuntenance wore an
expression of pity as he observed Mrs.
Dalton's flutter of pride and triumph
on speaking of her daughters engage
ment, and in mentioning the name OF
Lord AlphingtOn. He was silent, how
ever. and Mrs. Dalton took courage.
Have you ever happened to meet
Mr.. Fancourt?'' she asked.
"Mr. Fancourt. Never" he replied.
''Oh, / am so glad. lie must have
been mistaken then" she said, with a
gasp of relief
mistaken? In what way?" st. Law
renee inquired.
"Oh, only one day, when we we're in
KensingtOn Gardens, | saw you at a
distance, and pointed you out to Mr..
FancOurt; and he said that he had seen
you beforehand kn 'Wn you under an
other name, in fac and that-that
81 was no better than l should be, [
suppose" said st. Lawrence, smiling,
as Mrs. Dalton broke off her sentence
in embarrassment.
Il didn exactly mean to say that,
she stammcrcd; but You will, | am sure,
understand, Mr. st. Lawrence, that,
situated as | am. have to be very par
ticulaT; and, as Mr.. FancOurt thinks
n
zone word, Mrs. Dalton" st. Law
renee interposed. ''DO you go by Mr..
FancOmt's opinion in your implied
judgment Of me, or have you yourself
observed anything in my manner or
conduct that has led you to think unfa-
YOrably of me?'
"Oh. dear. no." Mr.. st. Lawrence"
cried the poor lady. becoming more and
more distressed with her self-impOsed
task-"quite the contrary, assure you;
only-"
Only that Mr.. Fancourt does not
wish to meet me-" said st. Lawrence,
again taking mp the word. THAT | can
quite understand: and for the present |
will take care that you shall be subject
ed to no unpIeaSantneSS Oil my account.
The time Will come before long. trust,
when | shall present myself before you
under a different light"
II am so sorry" Mrs. Dalton faltered.
"And there is another thing | wanted
to say. ] am afraid my Lena may have
made an impression upon Won. but ! am
sure your good sense will tell you that
could not have been, even If she had not
been engaged.
Make your mind perfectly easy on
that score. my dear madam" said st.
Lawrence, as he rose to end the inter
view. II admire and respect Miss Dali
ton, but have no pretcnSions to be an
aSpITant to her favor. | would with all
my heart that good wishes could pre-
vail to obtain for her happiness and
prosperity" lie looked grave now, but,
soon smiling again, he held out his
hand. ~ on will not refuse to shake
hands with me, at amy rate he added.
Il am sure | wish you well, Mr.. st.
Lawrence" replied Mrs. Dalton. agi-
trt cd 4 Nv Inv VIII II Oh IA ftlt