Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-11


sensible-more like other people-till
she had learned to distrust her better
impulses as likely to lead her astray-to
interfere with the real business of life.
At this dark hour, which ought to
have been the supremest hour of her
life, her heart turned with wild yearn-
ing toward st. Lawrence; but, if he
had come to her and asked for her love,
would she have given up all her pros
poets in life to be the wife of a mere
nobody, a struggling artist? She had
asked herself this. and inwardly an
swered, ''NO-a thousand times no."
1t was best as it had befallen-and at
any rate it was of no avail now to think
of what might have been. She hastily
dashed the binding tears from her
eyes, and resolved from hencefOrth on
~ to keep in view the future that lay
before her as Countess of AiphingtOn.
In pursuance of this determination, as
she continued to pace the room, she
went over in her imagination variety
of scenes IN which Sne would mingle,
splendidly dressed. loaded with Jewels,
outshining all by her beauty and grace,
admired, careSsed. eTvied till the color
returned to her cheeks, the rapid step
became more lingering, and at last,
with something like a smile of triumph,
she prepared to meet Bertha, who came
in from the garden.
Mrs. Dalton, when she went out,
spoke to Bertha as she passed through
the garden, and cautioned her against
interruptimg the tete-n-tete; and. much
as Bertha disliked this maneuVer, she
could not Numerically oppose herself
to her mothers injunctiOns. Many
things was she compelled to suffer in
CT ~ fnl tn hnT
had She to endure: but it would have
been Of no use to raise disSensiOnS
without the power to alter what she did
not approve. When she saw FancOUrt
traverse the path leading to the gaze,
without turning into the sidewalk to
speak to her, when she heard him call
ing haTshiy to the groom who WAS lead
ing the horses backward and forward,
a hOpe arose that Lena'S better feelings
had prevailed at the list moment, and
that the Honorable Mr.. FancOurt had
been rejected.
Judging by what her own feelings
would be after such a necessarily agi-
tating interview, she still fingered
amongst the flOwer-beds, and walked
two or three times up and down the
walk that bounded the kitChen-garden,
where two or three rows of venerable
fruit-trees almost formed an arch over
head. AT length. anxious to know how
the interview had ended, she returned
to the house. prepared to offer such
sympathy as she could.
Lena had succeeded in cOnquering
her rebellion against the maXimS to
which, until now, she had given unhPs-
itating adherence, and had become her
Old self again by the time Bertha Joined
I L 10 NF4 In
room, cold, proud expression on her
beautiful face - an expression that
seemed to defy and repel censure and
sympathy - the diamOnd-and-emerald
bracelet still gllttering on her ara. 1t
caught Bcrtha's eye as she entered, and
her heart sunk. The acceptance Of such
a gift could have only one meaning
With mocking smile Lena regarded
her sisters grave countenmce.
"Well, BERTHA she said, why do
you not congratulate me?'
is it all settled them" Bertha asked
in anxious TOMS.
Yes, it is all settIed,n Lena replied,
sitting sigh. us not this a sufficient
~ splendid bctrothal gift?o She held
out her arm as She spoke that Bertha
might examine the bracelet.
at is very splendid" said Bertha,
"but Lena dear, if | could only lie sure
that you love Mr. FancouTtI'
Lover Lena repeated. with bitter
laugh. "One would think you were
a shcphcrdcs5 living in the golden age.
Pray, fair AmarylIis, celebrate your
love for Damon as much as you please,
but don't attempt TO bring your pastor
ais into everyday life i'll this nineteenth
century,
Bertha looked into Lena's face sadly.
the tears rising to her eyes; this light
speech revealed more thoroughly than
an open confession would have done
the aching Of her heart. Bertha put
her arms round her sisters neck, and
kissed her.
lis it too late?' she said.
Yes, it is too late, you little gOOser'
Lena replied, shaking off Bertha's ca
ress, as if she dared not trust herself
to any softening mood. "And pray do
not look at me SO pitifully; it really
does not seem to me that the future
Countess Of AlphingtOn will be a sub
ject for compassion. And here comes
mamma lust in time to wish me jOy.
Mrs. Dalton, after remaining away
sufficiently long to allow the moment
GUS interview to come to a conclusion,
returned III some trepidatiOn. She be-
lieVed she could trust her elder daugh-
tcr-She had no reason to doubt that
she would take a sufficiently practical
view of her own interests; still at times
Lena betrayed sudden flashes of feeling
that were beyond her maternal compre-
hcnsion-and these made her uneasy.
1t was her chief care to bring all her in
fluence and authority to bear upon her
daughters so as to secure their eStab-
lishment in life and their consequent
happiness upon the Surest foundation
that Of worldly prosperity. Mrs. Dali
ton was quite sincere in her belief that
she was thus promoting their highest
welfare, and fulfilling her duties III the
most admirable manner.
Letting herself i'll through the gate
by her latch-key, she walked hurriedly
up to the house, rather expecting to
find FancOurt still there, and prepared
to give him her motherly blessing. On
reaching the drawing-roOm, however,
she found only the two girls, and for
the moment a shade of fear crossed her
mind; but she also noticed the glitter
ing jewel on Lena'S arm, and was reas-
Sured.
"NIy precious Lena she exclaimed,
coming forward and embracing her, Il
need not ask see all is as it should
be. l congratulate you thousand
times, my love"
That is right, mamma" Lena re-
sponded, with the same half-contempt-
uous smile with which she had an
nounced her engagement TO her sister;
Il have not been able to eXtort one
atom of congratulation from Bertha"
Il hope. though of course in lesser
way, You will take lesson by your SIS
ter's success. and learn a little common
sense, said Mrs. Dalton, regarding her
younger daughter severely. My dear,
l cannot tell you how happy you have
made me" she continued. again turn
ing to Lena. But why did Mr.. Fan
court go away Why did he not wait
to soc me?"
IL sent him away-he will come to-
morrow-don't be afraid" said Lena,
the gorgeous bracelet from
her arm.
Il wonder when he will wish the
wedding to be- Mrs. Dalton ran on,
occupied with her own thoughts. '.Of
course there will be settlements and all
that sort of thing; it won't interfere
with ouT visit to the LarcheS, suppose.
The Honorable Mr.. Fmcourt can't be
at a few days notice, like a
common person. And there will be
your frohSSrat To prepare. \ on can let
me have the money you received for
your last term, Bertha; it isn't much,
but il Will help. You see how right |
was in desiring you to give up your pu-
pills; for You 10 teach would be quite
uniting when Your sister is about to
move in such a position: and | must
again beg. Bertha. that You will never
mention 4 word about Your havulL
"a u r., fNF