Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-01-23

of note. IL rs PLAIN gold pand on
which stands out figure NJ Atalanta
posed as when she started for her fam
Gus race. 1t had been sent to her on
her marriage by Maxwell, in hearty re-
membrane. no doubt, of the night
when she by her fleetness had saved his
life.
She is looking very beautiful tonight.
As she enters the room, nearly every
one stops talking. and. careless Of good
breeding, stareS at her. There Is
,ouch of purity about Mona { at is per-
haps one of her chiefest charms.
Even Lady Rodney can hardly take
her eyes from tie girls face as she adj
vances beneath the full glare of the
chandelier. utterly unconscious Of the
extent Of the beauty that is her rich gift.
Sir Nicholas going up to her. takes
her by both hands, and leads her gently
beneath the huge bunch Of misletOe that
stiil hangs from the centre-lamp. Here,
STOPPING. lie embraces her warmly
Mona. coloring. shrinkS inyoiuntarily
a few steps backward.
Forgive me. my sist err" saws Nicho-
las, quickly Not tie kiss, but the
fact that until now never quite under
stood how very beautiful you are"
Then the carriages are announced,
and every one finishes his and her tea
and many ShaWls are caught up, and
presently all are driving rapidly be-
meath the changeiul moon to ChetWOOde.
Now. strange as it may seem, the very
moment Mona sets he foot upon the
polished ballroom floor. and sees the
lights, and hears the music. and the dis
tant splashing of water in some I'M
known spot and breatEes the breath of
dying flowers, all fears, all doubts, van
ism; and only passionate desire 10
dance. and be in unison with the sweet
sounds that move the air, OVerl!iS her.
Then some one asks her to dance, and
pTesently-With her face lit UP with
happy excitement. and her heart throb-
bing-she is actually mingling with the
gay crowd that a moment since she has
been envying. In ard out among the
dancers they glide, Mona so happy that
she barely has time for thought. and so
gives herself up entirely to the music to
the exclusion Of her partner.
After Il little while, pausing beside
doorway, she casts an upward glance at
her companion.
Il am glad you have at last deigned
to take some notice of me-" says he,
with faint touch of pique in his tone.
And then, looking at him again, she
sees 1t is the young man who had near
ly ridden over her some time ago. and
tells herself she has been Just little
rude TO his Grace the Duke of Lauder
dale.
And I went to the utmost trouble to
get an introduction" goes on Lauder
dale in an aggrieved voice; because [
thought You might not care about that
imprOmptu ceremony at the lodge
gates; and yet what do [ receive for my
pains but disappointment? Have you
quite forgotten me?"
mo. OF course I remember you
now" says Mona, taking all this non
sense as quite bona tide sense, in 4 mad
deningly, fascinating fashion. How
mnllind [ have been! But / was listen
ing to the music. not to our introduce
ton, when Sir Nicholas brought you up
to me, and-and that is my only eX-
cuae." Then, sweetly, DO you love
musc?"
Yes, do" says the duke. But 1
| say that perhaps as a means of defense.
| II | said otherwise, you might think me
| fir only for treasOnS, StratagemS, and
Spoils.'"
''Oh, no, you don't look like that"
! says Mona, with a heavenly smile. ''I on
do not seem like 4 man that could not
be trusted"
lie is delighted with her ready re-
| sronSe, her gayety, her sweetness, her
! freshness: WAS there ever SO fair a face?
| Every one III The room DY TINS time IS
! asking who is the dukes partner, and
| Lady ChetWOOde is beSet with queries.
! All the women, except very few, are
| consumed with jealousy; all the men
| are drVoured with envy of the duke.
| Beyond al doubt the pretty Irish bride
! is the rage of the hour.
Malcolm, who was that lovely Great
| ure you were talking to just nOW?7 asks
! his mother, as Lauderdale draws near
| her.
That? Oh, that was the bride, Mrs.
! Rodney replies he. "She is lovely, if
you like
"Oh, indeed!n says the duchess, with
some faint surprise. Then she turns to
! Lady Rodney. who is near her. and who
| is looking cold and supercilious. Il
! congratulate YOU" she says, warmly.
"What Il face that child has. How
! charming, How full of feClmgI You
| are fortunate i'll securing 50 fair a
daughter"
Thank YOU" says Lady Rodney,
COldly, letting her lids fall over hereyeS.
Il am sorry | have missed her so
! often says the duchess. ''B It you will
| introduce me to her soon, ope.'
Just at this moment Mona comes up
to them, smiling and happy.
All! here she is, > says tho duchess,
looking ut The GIRLS BRIGHT face with
much inferFsf and turnina Graofously
iowards Mona And thnm 7nt0 IT;,', ra-
mains Inn for LADY Rodney 10 rot
| thrnmrb thn irtrodmrtion nc calmly oS
She can thonnh if is snraIy anainst b"r
viii and fIe duchess taI,in" hor hamd
sayS s0mcthin% worry nTntfv 10 her
willie tbp duIJe looks on with iII-dis,
Gnispd admiration in his face.
Won must Give me- another dance
Mrs. Rodney. before yonr card IS onto
! I'M ;, saws tbe duke smilinT .,Tf in
! deed 7 am in time -
| nHStly that he Is compelled to return her
| $50 "" N'''''i ""N ( t''l"',i'l H'''!'''