Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-04
BERTHA DALTOH'S TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY OF An opal RING.

1Oulu IUb utSOIdtG DIu HAL have
known that Fancourt had already made
his choice, he would have taken some
comfort. He had not felt particularly
interested in Madeline Dalton. but at
any rate she was a beautiful and grace
full woman, who would not disgrace her
husbands name.
Lord AlphingtOn wandered disconsO-
lately from room to room on the day
after his return home, lingering before
each memento of former and happier
years. He had never suffered his wife'S
workable and embroidery frame to be
removed from the place in which they
had used to stand during her lifetime.
He drew out the table-draWer wherein
lay her scissors and thimble just as she
had last used them: piece of canvas
was still stretched on the frame, with a
rosebud just begun, the threads of pink
and green hanging loose. In the din
ing-rOom were portraits of his two
sons in their bOyhOOd, and of a lady he
had once called daughter-in-law, with
an infant on her knee. In the school
room there were still small desks and
well-wOrn books, besides bats and balls
and juvenile fishng-rOds. All, how
long ago it seemed since those loving
faces pictured on the walls had sur
rounded him-since cheerful voices had
made music in the old manSiOn-Sln
little pattering feet had been heard on
the stairs and along the wide corridors!
How quickly one after another had van
ished, leaving the old man alOnel OF
what account were wealth and luxury
TO him? he thought, as he stood at the
library window watching herd of deer
sweep across a glade of the park. The
lodge-keepeT, whose rosy children peep
ed shyly out as he passed, in the hope
of kind word or perhaps slXpence
was happier man than he.
Unwilling to allow these melancholy
reflections to Ovcrmaster him, he or
dered his horse round, and rode over to
the LaTchcs to cOnlide his troubles and
disappOintmcnts to Lady Langley's
kind and sympathetic ear.
II am truly sorry to hear what you
say, " said Lady Langley, when Lord
AlphingtOn had related the circum-
stances Of his visit to town, and the
cruel disappointment that had awaited
him; but we must hope that the fall Of
your expectations has led you to take
too gloomy view. Perhaps on further
acquaintance yOu may not find your
grandson so repellent TO you as you
now feel him to be"
You will see him when he comes
down to tie Park" Lord AlphingtOn
returned, shaking his head: land you
will find / have not exaggerated. 1t
Will be additional grief to me and a
cause Of anxiety as well. | shall live in
perpetual fear of some disgTacCful eX-
poSure."
Lady Langley did her best to encour-
age and console her old friend, for
whom she felt deeply. Notwithstand-
ing her cndcavors To see the matter in
more cheerful light, she trcmbed,
knowing that Lord AIphington was not
the one 10 Judge either hastily or harsh
ly, but that he must have had good
cause for the displeasure and uneasi-
ness he expressed.
Fancourt lost no time in establishing
himself IN his new quarters in Magnus
Square. The first evening after taking
up his abode there he remained at home,
gloating over his surroundings, and
hugging himself in anticipation of a
brilliant future Reclining in a luxuri-
GUS lounging- chair in his Stting-rOom,
he looked round at the brOcaded hang
ings, which were of subdued gold
color, ut the cabinets, and ottOmans,
and table, and every possible appliance
for use and ease; ut the tall mirrors and
exquisite bronZcs, and the pictures, few
but choice, that hung upon the walls.
Then he glanced ut the bell ready to his
hand; he had only To ring to summon
servants prepared to fly at his bidding.
Did he wish to ride? There were horses
in the stable TO drive? lie had only
to choose his vehicle.
The London season was then nearly
at an end, but by the time another sea-
son was come lac would be known and
received everywhere as Lord Alphing-
tons grandson and heir, and for crown
ing bliss Madeline Dalton would be his.
His heart beat fast as he Toasted his
imagination on the thought of her
beauty, and told himself that he had
nothing to do but to hold out his hand.
All fears seemed for the moment to
have vanished
I'm this mood he retired to rest Bed
room, drcSsing-room. bathroom, all
were faultless i'll their appointments.
There was an end to knocking about
the world, and an end to poverty, and
to schemes to raise money, and to the
annoyance of duus. And why should
any spcctcr rise up to disturb his enjoy
ment of all these good things? What
was done was d0ne-why should he tor
m"ni himsclf2 Honor honesty, truth
what were these but iInc-aOundng
words2 Fancourt had before now tried |
to persuade himself that men were all |
alikC-that no one much regarded these
virtues excepting When it was convent !
ent; and, If any We're fools enough to
let such high-tlown notions stand in
"
game of life.
Thus trying to argue down the mont !
tor that would make itself heard, Fan |
court fell asleep, to he reused in the |
morning by I'M unpleasant visitor in the |
shape of a letter. After reading it, he |
sprung out of bed with muttered |
oath, and ringing the bell violently, he |
ordered breakfast to be got ready inn !
mediatcly, and the dog-cart to be |
brought To the door in an hour, to take |
him To the SOUTHEASTERN Railway |
Station
fanCoutt was nearly week away
an absence that prevented his calling !
again at Ivy Cottage. II was evening |
when he returned to town, and the man |
who appeared to take his portmanteau |
was not the one who had been engaged /
as his personal attendant hat stranger |
"A rather small man. with .hrewd gray |
eyes, and dark hair and Whiskers.
"Nhere is ,lameS2' Faucourt asked. |
why the deuce ism t he here, when he |
knew | was coming home?'
james has been suddenly called |
away 10y his fathers illness, sir re-
Piled the new man; land Mr.. Parker
has desired that should wait upon YOU |
till his return"
Fancourt mathematical James, his
father, and the house steward, though |
he ended 10y saying that il Signilied /
nothing to him who waited upon him
rs long rs he got what he wanted.
"What is your name?' he asked, in
conclusion.
John, if You please, sir"
Have you been accustomed to wait
upon gcntemen?"
"Oh, yes, sir, replied the man. smil-
ing. Il have waited upon many, and
have always given satisfaction"
That will do" returned Fancourt.
Here, take my overcoat," he con
tinUed, tossing a Hght-colored gar
m2ut toward him; and tell Brooks that
shall dine in an hour-here."
John bowed, and withdrew to execute
his new masters orders.
As time passed. John proved himself
invaluable. Eaucuurt found every ar
tlCle he wanted ready to his hand. Had
he letter 10 post or message to send,
John was quick of foot and always
ready. John never neglected an order,
never forgot direction, and seemed to
know his engagements better than him
self II he came stumbling home at
late hour-aS was not mfreQueutly the
caSe-.Iol}p was always in attendance
to help him to bed, and appeared the
following morning with his accustomed
smile on his lips. as ii nothing notice
able had occurred
INb ..-s.,,.-,f.l l,,,E 1;4t1,