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

Must you really 90, Geofrey?-real-
! ly?" asks Mona, miserably, looking the
| very personilication of despair. She has
asked the same question i'll the same
J tone ever since early dawn, and it is
! now four o'clock.
" cS, realN. uurIIu UUIc, lsn 1ty-
! but county dinners must be attended,
and Nicholas will do nothing. Besides,
! it ism fair to ask him just now, dear
! old fellow. when he has so much upon
his mind
but g0u have something on your
mind, too. You have me. Why don't
Jack go?'
well, l rather think he has Violet
on his mind. Did you ever see anything
SO spOoney as they looked all through
! dinner yesterday and luncheon to-day?
didn't think it was in Violet"
Did She never look at you like that?"
! asks Mona, mIllciOusly; lin the early
| days. mean. before before"
Il fell victim to your charms? No.
Jack has it all 20 himself SO far rs | am
concerned. Wen, | must be off, you
know. 1t is a tremendous drive, and
II barely do it in time. shall be back
about two in the morning"
Not until tWo?" says Mona, growing
miserable again.
Il can't well get away before that,
you know. as Wigley is Il good way off.
But II try all | know. And, after I'LL. p"
says Geotirey. with view to cheering
her, lit ism as bad as if | was ordered
off somewhere for a week, is it?'
A week. | should be dead when you
came back" declares Mrs. Geoffrev.
with some yehomenra, and Il glance that
shows she can dissolve into tears at
moments notice.
Some fellows go away for MONTHS"
says Godfrey, still honestly bent OF
cheering her, but unfortunately going
the wrong way to work.
Then they ought to be ashamed of
themselves" says Mona, with much i'll
dignation. Months. indecdi'
Why. they can't help it," explains
he. They are sent half the time"
Then the people who send them
should be ashamed. But what about
the other half of their time that they
spend away from homey"
"Oh, | don't know: that was a mere
figure of my speech says Mr.. Rodney,
who is afraid to say such absences are
caused by an innate love of freedom and
vile desire for liberty at any cost, and
has nothing else handy. "NoW don't
stay moping up here when | 90, but
run down stairs and find the girls and
make yourself happy with them"
Happy repruacittlly. I shan't
know happy moment until | see you
again,'
Nor till see you" SAYS Geofrey,
earnestly, actually believing what he
says himself.
Il shall do nothing but look at the
clock, and listen for the sound of the
horses feet"
Mona, you mustn't do that. Now,
| shall be really annoyed if Won insist
on sitting up for me and so lose a good
nights rest. Now, dent darling. 1t
viii only take it out of you, and make
you pale and languid next day"
But | shall be more contcut so: and
ever t | went Ia he'd "nrr1' No. de-
~ NiUrS- ! sn;,u NOT ~ cuEp;tmon:ess
when the small hours begin 10 creep up
on me-
'.EhY" SAYS Godfrey.
No; | shall have him with me: but
hush, 1t IS quite a secret, placing her
finger on her lips.
- ITimg'-whom?'- d,mands her hus-
band, with pardondble Nivacity.
My own old PEI. says Mrs. Godfrey,
still mysteriously, and with the fondeSt
smile Imaginable.
GOOD gracious, Mona, whom do YOU
mean asks be, aghaSt both at her
look and tone.
why, Spice, of course" opening her
eyes. Didn't you know. Why, what
else could | meau?"
Il don't know, I'm sure: but really
Lne way you expressed yourself. and
Yes. of course, Spice viii be company,
the very best company for vou.n
i think | shall have Ailspiee tao,''
goes on, Mona. But say nothing. re
Lady Rodney knew il she would not al
low it for a moment. But Jenkins"
1.-THE old butlerl has promised to man
age il all for me. and To smuggle nv
dear dogs up TO my room without any
one being in the least the wiser.n
If you have Jenkins on Your side
you are pretty safe" saws Geoffrey.
My mother is more afraid of Jenkins
than you would be of a land-leaCuer.
Well, goodbye again. / must be Off
What horse are you takingy' asks
she. holding him back