Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-02-27

IIU1I Jue gTUHuu anu tuning away.
Her answer has frozen him again. has
dried up the mOmentary desire for her
APPRECIATION above all others that only
minute ago had agitated his breast.
At this moment Godfrey comes into
the room and goes up to Mona. He
. takes no notice whatever of her COM
paniOn.
Mona. will you come and sing us
something's" he says. as naturally as
though the room is empty. Molly has
been telling the duchess about your
voice, and she wants to hear you. Any
thing simple. ''-seeing she looks a lit
tie distressed at the idea; you sing that
sort of thing best
Il hardly think our dance is ended
vet. Mrs. Rodney" says the Australian,
defiantly, coming leisurely forward, his
eyes bent somewhat inSolently upon
Godfrey.
You will come, Mona, to oblige the
Duchess says Godfrey. in exactly as
even a tone as if the other had never
spoken. Not that he cares in the very
least about the duchess; but he is de-
termined to conquer here, and is also
DESTROYS that all the world should ap-
preciate and admire the woman he
loves.
Il will come, of course" SAYS Mona,
nervously, but [ am afraid she will be
disappointed. You will excuse me. Mr..
Rodney, I am SURE" turning graciously
to Paul. VINO is standing with folded
arms in the background.
Yes. | excuse YOH," he says, with
peculiar stress upon the pronOun. and
rather strained smile. The room is fill
ing with other people, the last dance
having plainly c0iut To an HH'!. GcOI-
frey. taking Mona $ arm, leads her into
the hail.
Dance TO more tonight with that
fellow" he says, quickly, as they get
.No?" Then. Not if you dislike it,
of course. But -.lchOlaS made point
of my being nice to him. l did not know
you would object to my dancing with
him"
"Well, you know it now. do OBJ
ject," says Godfrey. in a tone he has
never used to her before. Not that it
is unkind or rude, but cold and unlOyer-
like.
YES. [ know it nowI'' returns she,
softly, yet with the gentle dignity that
always belongs to her. Her lips culver,
but she draws herself up to her fullest
height. and, throwing up her head,
walks with gait that is almost stately
mo Illt IlltNtlltt Vi lllC NtiNllNSS-
You wish me to sing to YOU" she
says. gently, yet so unsmilingly that
the duchess wonders what has come to
the child. 1T Will give me pleasure if
l can give g0a pleasure. but my voice IS
not worth thinking about"
Nevertheless. let me hear it." says
the duchess. Il cannot forget that
your face is musical"
Mona. sitting down to the piano,
plays few chords in a slow, plaintive
fashion, and then begins. Paul Rodney
has come to the doorway, and is stand
ing there gazing at her, though she
knows it not. The ballroom is far
distant, 50 far that the sound of the
band does not break upon the silence of
the room in which they are assembled.
A hush falls upon the listeners as Mo-
mas fresh, pathetic, tender voice rises
into the air.
1t is an old song she chooses. and
simple as old, and sweet as simple. |
almost forget the words now, but l
know it runs in this wise:
"Oh, hame, hame-hame fain wad be,
Hame, hame TO my ain countrie,'
and so on.
1t touches the hearts of all who hear
it as she sings it, and brings tears to
the eyes of the duchess. So used the
'''tle fragile daughter to sing who IS
nov chanting III heaven!
There is no vehement applause as Mo-
ma takes her fingers from the keys, but
every one says, Thank you" in low
tone. Godfrey, going up to her, leans
over her chair and whispers, with some
agitation
You did not mean it, Mona, did you?
You are content here with me?-you
have no rCgTet?'
At which Mona turns round to him 3
face very pale, but full of such love as
should rejoice the heart of any man,
and says, tremulously,-
Darling, do You need an answer"
''Then why did you choose that sOng?"
81 hardly know"
81 was hateful TO you just now, and
most unjust"
"Were you? Ihave forgotten it" re-
plies she, smiling happily, the color
coming back to her cheeks. WhereupOn
Paul Rodney's brows contract. and with
a muttered curse he turns aside and
leaves the room, and then the house,
without another word or backward
| glance.