Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-27
CHAPTIcR XII.

pleasant description.
CHAPTER XIII.
IT was promenade day at the BOtan-
ical Gardens in the Regents Park-the
time, "a fine afternoon in May. The
gardens were at their greatest beauty.
The foliage of the trees was fresh in its
young green; hyacinths, tulips. pansieS,
narrissls, and other sweet and bright
flowers filed the partcrres, while the
great conservatory was gorgeous with
aZaleas, kalmias, cinerarias, and the
whole host Of the brilliant and fragrant
blossoms of early summer. The ladies'
toilets too, WED with the flowers, and
the various groups wandering about the
grounds, or assembled on the green
swards to listen to the band, formed
not the least attractive part of the
spectacle.
1t was through this scene that st.
Lawrence and his friend Douglas were
stroiIng on the Wednesday afternoon
Of the week succeeding Mr.. Riggs
visit.
Douglas would not allow that he was
given 10 he idle. lie insisted that to
show himself III society was a means to
an end.
- It is absolutely necessary for me tC
make myself known" he WAS in the
habit Of saying to st. Lawrence. $50
cicty will easily forget me if | give it
chance of doing SO. As for your land
sCape painters, it is different; YOU
works are everything, yourselves moth.
ing But. with a UOrtrat-pantcr, &c
make himself popular is half the game
SO, on this plea, Douglas spent much
of his time in amusing himself. He
had often before tried to persuade st.
10 Al, l.,
sceking, but generally in vain. just
now, however, st. Lawrence felt indis-
posed for work. The memory of his
wrongs kept fresh IN his mind by his
very rndcaVUrS 10 unravel the web by
which ne was cntangIcd, set his blood
IN furmCnt. and the suspense he had
TO undergo was terrible to him. lie
would have liked to meet face to face
the man who had injured him. He
would have liked to bring back those
old times when he could have challenged
his enemy to ordeal 10y arms, confident
that truth would bear down faSchoOd
in the tight. will the slow process of
legal inquiry be as Sure2n he sometimes
asked himself, Aud now he had bound
himself by Il promise he could stir
neither hand nor foot III his own de
TENSE. lie almost rCpented having Civ
en- such promise But he was not the
man to recall his word when once it
was pledged. lie must resign himself
to wait and endure, trusting that Prov
ldcnCe III It's own good time would UNI
mask the fraud OF which he had been
the victim.
Thinking of these things as they
wandered amongst the different groups,
he scarcely listened to Douglass lively
flow ut talk and only gave monosyla-
bIc answers Suddenly, as they were
crossing the lawn on which the band
WAS stationed, Douglas caught him by
TIN arm, and pointed with his cane to
three ladies' sitting together at little
distance.
"3y Jovel' he exclaimed, there is
my little muSlemistrcSS."
What beautiful girl" st. LawrenC
said, his attention arrested by his com
paulon S exclamation Il thought YOU
told me she was not handsome"
The shorter of the two is Miss Dali
ton Douglas returned impatiently.
Let us go round and come upon
them on the other side as If by accident.
I'll introduce you"
So saying, Douglas threaded his way
through the crowd. st. Lawrence fol-
lowed willingly, struck with the beauty
of one of the ladies' whom they were
approaching. As they came in sight
again, Douglas, onaCting a start of sur
prise, adv auccd, lifting his hat.
II am happy to see you here, Miss
Dalton" Lac said. This a gayCr scene
than chat in which we usually meet
Il am glad 10 see that YOU too some
times take holiday responded Ber-
tina, with frank smile holding out her
hand
She liked the bright-spirited, agreea-
BILE young artist. Though but little had
ever passed between them, she had
learned to regard him rs friend. She
introduced him to her mother and sis
ter, and Douglas, i'll his turn, presented
st. Lawrence.
The color dCepcncd upon I.ena's
checks. Mrs. Dalton received the two
young men cordially. She had begun
to feel ii rather dull. 1t was rare cir
cumstancc for her to appear i'll public
without m attendant cavalier, and these
two young men appeared ut a fortunate
moment. They are quite distinguish
ed-lookiug, particularly the taller. dark
or one, she seized a moment to whisper
to Lena; mo one would suppose him to
be only an artist"
The young men, perceiving that their
presence was welcome TO the eldest la
dy, remained near their several points
OF attraction. There was no difficulty
in finding subjects of conversation.
Critical remarks upon those around
them were not spared by Douglas; and,
though Rertha's comments were never
lll-uaturcd, Shn was rs ready to enter
into the humorS of the scene rs he him
self. Lena became animated in dis uSS-
ing the prospects of the season. Il ii in
observing the admiration she excited in
the young landscape-paiuter.
When they felt inclined for stroll,
III 1 . Il.
Servatory between Mrs. Dalton and
Lena, while Douglas followed with Ber-
tina, and, when the ladies' found it time
to leave the gardens, in the same order
they SauLtered down the principal walk
Il the eutrance-gate. Nor did they part
company here. The two friends could
do no less than accompany the ladies TO
the gate of Ivy Cottage, where they at
last took leave, St Lawrence having
first obtained permission to bring his
sketch-book one evening to show Miss
Dalton sonic American scenery.
so it is the same family after all
that Riggs spoke Of" said Douglas.
"Ilow strangely things turn Out."
what lovely girl Miss Dalton is!r
observed st. Lawrence. II think I have
never seen face that struck me as be-
ing SO beautifuu'
Douglas allowed; "but to my mind, "he
added, there is a certain Spiriiltcl beau
ty in her sisters face which is far more
attractiye.n
why, man, where are your eyess"
exclaimed st. Lawrence.
''Oh, of course, as far as form and
color 90, | have nothing to say" re-
turned Douglas; but look at the soul
that shines out of the eyes of my Ber-
tina. Bertha-hy Jovel what delicious
name! How it falls from the lips soft
ly, like Zephyr kissing a flowerl One
couldn't imagine great, strong, mas
culine woman going by the name of
BERTHA
why, old fellow. are you really so
far gomez" said st. Lawrence, smiling,
and laying his hand on his companions
shoulder.
Douglas half laughed, half sighed.
Its no use-it wouldn't do. " he con-