Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-13


when Lady Langley, seated on a heap
OF shawIs beneath the ruined keep, re-
lated 4 portion Of Lord Alphington's
history that Mrs. Lrmont, in restless
mood, paced to and fro in the drawing
room in Westbourne Grove.
She appeared troubled and uneasy
Every now aud then she stopped i'll her
impatient walk to look from the win
dow. To every sound that came from
below she listened intcntly.
About the room We're signs of APP
preaching departure. \ large box con-
tanning many of the articles of luxury
which Bertha had noticed when she
called stood open on the floor. Mrs.
Iemont seemed to have been just en-
gagged in packing it. Through the half
open foldng-doorS other boxes were
visible, some already corded. The lit
tie white poodle had been left rs lega-
cy to the people in the china-Shop.
Mrs. Lemont was not really fond of an
imals the dog had been only tempo
rary caprice. The cage of Java spar
rows stood outside the door, covered
with green haiZe. ready to travel under
the charge of The maid-servant, togeth-
er with n collection of parcels, bags,
and nand-bOXes, enough for half dOZ-
EN- people to look after.
The clock on the chimney-piece rang
out five; then another quarter Chimed,
and still Mrs. LemOnt continued her
restless pacing.
why does he not come?' she muir
INJURED, half aloud, rs if, oppressed by a
sense of loneliness, she was impelled to
address the inanimate objects around
her. ''He said he would be here this
afternoon. lie told me to be ready TO
go away with him, and am ready"
She pressed her open palms to her
temples, and then to her heart, signing
deeply.
II know he no longer cares for me
that he would rather | was ont of his
way she continued to herself. And
II Is it possible that [ love him still,
after all these years of oppression,
neglect, and miseryP l scarcely know
whether | love or hate him. He may
try me too far"
She stood for awhile leaning against
the frame of one of the windows, gaz-
ing into the busy street below. Omni-
buses, cabs, carts, ratified past without
ceaSinC; n continual stream of foot
passengers hustled each other along the
pavement; customers went in and out
of the opposite shops. Without, all
was life and animation; within, isola-
ton and dreary void.
At last doube-knOck was heard at
the strect-doOr. Mrs. LemOnt started
as If her ears had not been strained to
catch the sound. She went to 4 side
table on which stood decanter and
glasses, and, pouring out glass of
wine, hastily swallowed II; and then
she threw herself into an easy-chair as
she heard steps quickly ascending the
stairs.
The door opened and young man
entered, closing the door again behind
him with a slam. Mrs. Lemont rose to
meet him, but without any appearance
Of the impatcuce she had previously
displayed.
You are late" she said. ~ have
been expecting you for some time"
He met her with kjSS-oue that
kiss, for it was given and received as
such.
Mrs. Temnnt returned to her seat,
and her visitor drew chair up to the
table.
Il told Won / would come. / didn't
tell you at what time, because | didn't
know myself, was his reply to her OBJ
servatlun.
He was a man of about siN-and-
twenty years of age, rather tall and
broad-Shouldered, hut loosely knit
q Sodden look, with a redneSS about the
nose and eyelids which seemed to be
the result Of dissipation; his hair was
sandy, iucliuing to red; he Wore neither
moustache nor beard, but long whis-
kerS. His features were not badly
formed-nature had intended him To be
good-lo> ing rather than otherwiSe-but
the sullen brow, the sensual expression
of the full lips, the dimmed and blood
shot eyes that had Il look both bold and
sinister, completely reversed natures
intentions on his account.
Have you nothing To tell me, Sed-
ieygH Mrs. Lemont asked. Have You
been to Thompson 4 Cratchit's? Are
the proofs all right"
''Of course | have been 10 Thompson
& CratchitS," replied Sedley. They
required some little time TO 90 over the
papers, but they've promised me an an
swer this evening. | know the contents
of the box are all right except that con-
founded ring-and so do you. When
that precious brother of yours stole the
ring, | only wish he had swallowed it,
and it had choked him."
And yet You have found Pierre use
fql to you at times, said Mrs. Lemont
And the proof doesn't depend upon
the ling"