Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-01

The house where the ball was to be
given was beautifully situated on the
brow Of the hill. The windows com
manded fine view; the gardens and
plcasure-grOund were extensive. There
had been some talk of decorating the
gardens with cOlorcd lamps, but it was
late in the season for evening Wander
ing out Of doors, though summer
"""","d almost To have returned for a
few DAYS; moreover, the moon was al
its brightest, aiIOrding light enough to
any who chose to escape for a while
from the thick of the throng; SO the
idea was given up, and all resources
were drawn upon to create II brilliant
scene within doors.
Mrs. Dalton had been DESTROYS that a
card of invitation should be sent to Mr..
Faucourt
II am sure Mrs. Newcombe would be
proud to receive him She said.
But Lena gave a decided negative to
the proposal She was not anxious to
appear with her fnHcce in her train; on
the contrary, she was lways thankful
to escape for while from Mr. Fan
courts presence, and had a strong feel
ing that being obliged TO receive his at
tentions in public would be unbcarably
irksOme.
lie is too much a man of the world
to dance attendance upon me when |
am his wife, she said to Bcrtha-''at
all events, | would not allow it-and |
will not undergo the boredom Of having
him hanging about now, when [ can
avoid it,
"Oh, Lenal' was the rcproaChful re-
spouse; but Lena only turned away
when Bertha began To cNpostulate. or
To express her fears for the future She
XRtntpll g4t Ia,
She had a wonderful stuhhornnrSs of
nature under that soft exterior of hers
-hrWueSS it would have been termed,
II III better cause.
As usual, the sisters were very di-
verscly attjrCd for the bah. Lena wore
white silk, trimmed with rare old
lace that had formed part of the bridal
plrapherualla of Captain DaltOu'S
great grandmother. She had also
adorned herself with the set of tur-
quoisrs Mr.. Fancourt had given her;
nor did she decline to accept rare
bouquet for the occasion, though she
had avoided having his company, and
could we'll have dispensed with the kiss
that accompanied the gift.
Both st. Lawrence and Douglas had
been invited to this party-handsom
lively young men were always vel
come addition ON such occasions and
Douglas. S detection had been a subject
OF regret. st. Lawrence. however, ar
rived IN good time. Mrs. NcwCOmhC
had appointed him one of the stewards,
to assist her son in keeping the ball go
inL, in token whereof lie had a crimson
ribbon fastened 10 his huttOn-hole;
decoration which caused more than one
OF the guests to ask. who is that very
dIstlnguished-lookin man wearing the
Legion of llouor?'
st. Lawrence and Bertha spoke but
tuti" during their first dance. 1t was
happiness enough to he together As
their hands met, as they stood side bv
side, rs she fell his eyes bent upon her,
and listened to the tones of his voice i'm
The few words he spoke, the joyful con-
Nlctlon forced itself on Bertha'S mind
that She was beloved, and in the SOFTLY
flushed checks, the dOWnCaSt ewes, the
tremor of the little fingers in his clasp,
81. Lawrence tanciCd he read signs that
hadU him hope.
on will give me the next waltz.
VIII you not2N he asked. bending over
her, as at her request, he led her to a
seat.
II think not the next" REPLIED Ber-
tina, smiling, ut the same time glanCing
toward her mother, who she perceived
was watching them.
CONSTITUTED authorities might OBJ
lect, You mean" said st. Lawrence, fol-
lowing the direction of her eyes. Save
q round dance for me later on then.
on will not refuse me that?" he plead
ed, taking her tablet, and writing his
name against a waltz.
Bertha smiled assent.
Now You must 60" she announced.
on must not forget thas you are on
duty"
Tell me one thing" he said. in a
tone of anxiety, as he still fingered
near her. lis Fancourt to be here TO-
night? l fancied he might be coming
with YOU"
No Bertha replied; "he is not
coming"
She had it on her lips to saw that
Lena had not been anxious for his at
tendance, but checked herself. st.
Lawrence seemed, however, to read by
intuition what was in her mind.
~ on Will think that | speak in rid
dies, he observed, in low tone, ''if |
tell you that | am glad your sisters af-
fecuons are not bound up in this mar
riage."
You brighten mel" Bertha returned.
IN the same low voice, looking alarmed.
Il am sorry to have 10 do that" st.
Lawrence declared; land the worst of
II Is, cannot as yet explain myself.
Would you be grieved personally if
anything occurred to break off this
matchin
personally, no. Bertha replied.
more and more alarmed. Il don't mind
telling you that have never got over
my first dislike to Mr.. Fancourt-and
you know how strong that was. Now
YOU really must go. There's Mrs. New
combe looking for you.n
St. Lawrence asked Lena to dance
once, but her card was already full-a
notification he received with provoking
tranquility. Bertha danced several
times, and sat out other dances once or
twice. This she preferred doing. She
could not go on dancing square dances
and round in endless succession with
out fat que, as Lena seemed able TO do.
At last st. Lawrence came TO claim
the promised waltz. He saw the troa-
bled expression of her face. and whis-