Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-07-04

apart from the 1acJ OF my DelnB HuIsduCe
to you and Bob"
'tThe best of characters, Mr.. Howard"
said Mrs. Trafford, smiling
The little woman got up then and de-
clared that they really must be going
they had stayed quite an unconscionable
time, had made, in fact, quite visitation.
and although they had promised them
selves to make at least half dozen calls
that afternoon they would not be able TO
make more than one now.
1T is delightful for US that you have
not managed to go to all the Others" said
Mrs. Markham.
Cannot we persuade you TO leave the
other one aIso?'' suggested her husband.
''No-reallv, we ought to go nOw," said
Mrs. Trafford, gaily. But if you go in
to the Parish on Sunday, won't you come
aud see Us when you leave? We are al
always at home on Sundays from five to
seven-do come"
.'Oh, yesl with pleasure" said Mrs.
Markham. and as if she meant it,
They said goodbye then and Mr.. How
ard went out to the door with him, which
they reached just as a carriage drew up
at the steps There was a very smart lady
inside it, a lady beautifully dressed and
fair to look upon, who waved dainty
hand TO Mrs Trafford and expressed much
pleasure at seeing her. How unfortu-
nate that l should be just coming as you
are going" she cried.
Dear Lady Lucifer" said Mrs. Trafford
tenderly, lit is a pty-but really we have
made such visitation that"
''Ohl Mrs TrafTord, do 90 back again;
nv sister will be enchanted put in Mr..
Howard.
But Mrs. Trafford was firm-judicious
little womanI mo, no, Mr.. Howard; /
won't begin by paying your sister such
poor compliment as that. No. / really
must 90 now. If you come in to the Par
ish on Sunday. do come in and have cup
of tea, she added, to Lady Lucifer
Yes, / will-thanks, Lady Lucifer an
swered. Il shall have some people with
me, but you won't mind, | know"
81 shall be charmed" said Mrs. Traf-
ford
Lady LucIfer betook herself and her
smart garments into the house then and
Mr.. Howard handed the ladies into their
fly.
''You will come in on Sunday. then?"
said Mrs. Trafford as he shut the door.
Stephen Howard leaned his arms on the
side Of the cab and looked coolly at Mrs.
Trafford with his lazy blue eyes. Its
long time to Sunday. Mrs. Trafford," he
remarked.
Mrs. Trafford laughed and Julia turned
scarlet. Towards lazg blue eyes turned
TO her face for a moment, then turned
back to Mrs. Traffords again.
at is only four days" she answered,
"but If you like to come before that, why
do so. We shall be very glad to see you"
"Will your" he asked, with shade
more eagerness in his tone and a shade
less laziness in his eyes. May l come to-
morrow"
Again he stole a glance at Julia. Julia
looked the other way.
yes. you may come tomorrow" said
Mrs. Tcafford with her own little indul-
gent air.
Thank you'll WILL" said Mr.. Howard
gratefully.
He stepped back from the side of the
cab then and made a sign to the driver to
90 on-and he stood bare-headed on the
steps with the afternoon sun playing
people among his thick golden curls-a
truly persouaDle young man, with charm
ing manners.
Mrs. Trafford.
Yes" said Julia. who was in too much
of a tumult mentally to be able to talk
much
Charming manners, too" Mrs. Traf-
ford went on.
yes" said Julia.
but these new countries are rapid,
very rapid, said Mrs. Tralford, thought
fully.
Yes" said Julia, finding her voice at
last. But | daresay it is all manner and
probably he is saying just the same to
Lady Lucifer now"
"It seemed to me he was a little cavalier
to Lady Lucifer," said her mother, quiet
ly. And think she noticed it, too"
''Then she will try all the harder to
bring him to her feet that she may make
him suffer for it," remarked Julia, rather
acidly.
"Oh, that is very likely" said Mrs.
Trafford; these young married women
who marry men SO much older than them.
selves seem as il their greed for admira.
tion is never satisfied. 1t is a pitiabIe
thing to live for"
But pleasant enough when you can get
It," laughed Julia. Her mother gave vent
to her feelings by little sigh. 1t was "A
very small aud feeble sigh, smothered at
its birth and struggled away under the
disguise of a yawn. Obi if only Julia
were not $3.50 inclined to be tart, to take
a caustic view Of every side of life Mrs.
Trafford felt sure that with little tact
and management this handsome and
agreeable young man might be brought
into the fold Of matrimony and her ankle
ty about her one remaining flower would
be at an end and she would be free. gay
little widow woman that she was, to HE
herself to London-town and take a dear
wee little flat-perhaps an entrCSOL in Vic.
toria Strickland make delightful cen.
fireplace for her three dear children to
meet at aud look upon as home. If only
Julia's sharp tongue did not spoil every
thing
CHAPTER IV.-SrEPHEN HowARD's PAST