Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-22
A DOUBLE.I REACHER I
ADAPIED BY II. r

She remembered those in the conser-
vatory at Mr.. Gray's, Annie's grandfather,
and thought Of the rare plants growing
Ia the naiolica vases on the balcony
Those were the only flowers she loved, SO
you may fancy that she cared little for
the country.
If they passed park-lodge, she cast
lingering chances up the avenue, and at
the green lawns shaded by tall trees.
These glimpses Of an unattainable luxury
made these expeditions almost irritating
to her, ard the returning home was the
browning point Of her misery.
The small stations approaching London
are on such evenings greatly crowded
and uncomfortable. But old Chip was
IN his element. He hustled about, com
planned Of train that was delayed for
two or three minutes, and threatened
loudly to write to the newspapers.
'Imagine," he would say, in buster
ing tone, "such thing happening in the
nineteenth century"
And the noble actor answered, with
shrug Of his shoulders
"Monstrous"
The single word, thanks TO the wonder
full talent Of the tragedian, conveyed to
the gaping spectators the idea that the
two men had just arrived from CaygilPs
tour round the world.
Seated by Franks side, his enormous
bouquet half in her lap, Sylvia remained
for q long time absolutely silent. contem-
plating the black masses of trees against
the sky, a long country road, and the
crowd that came and went through the
waiting-room; a train flashed by without
stopping; then came the one that their
party was to take, and they FASTENED to
find seats.
How dusty and uncomfortable it was!
The tumblcd, soiled dresses Of the women,
the men red and warm. A thick, white
dust obscured the one lamp and hung like
q mist over everything.
Sylvia pushed up the window at her
side. and fixed her eyes on the long hedges
as they glided past.
Soon like the countless stars, they saw
before them the street-lamps Of London.
This melancholy day of pleasure was at
LIST over and each member of the now
silent party began to think Of to-morrow's
toll.
Sylvia rebelled against this contempla-
tion, and envied the rich TO whom each
day brought new distractions, and vague
ly, as In a dream, peOpled the cool av-
enues she had seen with a crowd Of we'll
dressed people, who were amusing them
selves by watching the Cockneys, who. in
the face Of heat and dust, and so much
discomfort, had persisted in seeking a
holiday.
From her thirteenth to her seventeenth
birthday such was Sylvia's monotonous
life. Mrs. Chipp's Indian shawl was q
trifle more worn, and the blue muslin was
irretrievably shabby. These, and an adj
ditional inch or so to Sylvia's height, were
all the changes.
Frank now treated the girl with silent
alteration, which she alone, of all the little
circle, failed to detect. Nothing interest
ed her. She performed all duties silently
and mechanically.
Frank, on the contrary, worked with
intense energy. 1t was easy to see that
he had an aim in view and he succeeded
so well that at the expiration of his ap-
premiership, he received an appointment
in the engineering firm where he had
served his time.
On the evening of that day Florence
invited all the Chip family to go to the
theatre. He and Mrs. Chip resigned
Sylvia to the care of Frank with an air
that seemed to say
Nov settle it between yourselves. 1t
Is your own affair.
The young lover was quite ready. The
walk was q long one, SO Frank began by
speaking Of the play.
y Ike those" he said, sin which there
is some romance. Don't you, Sylvia"
i don't care" she answered. '.what the
play is. if the dresses are pretty"
In fact, ut the theatre she thought Of
little else, and she took away with her
only ncw patterns for dress, or fer the
arrangements OF her hair. The stage
simply inspired her with a wild longing
far wealth and power.
The exaggerated toilcttes of the actress
,thcir very walk and attitude, ahsurdly
5nvcntioual,, seemed 20 her the pcrtec-
ton Of elegance and distinction. The
crowded house, the carriages at the door,
all delighted her
Her lover continued
allow well they played that love scene"
and. as he uttered these words, he bent
tcndclly over the pretty little head in its
white hood.
Sylvia sighed
"Ah, YES, the love scene. The actress
wore splendid diamonds"
There was a moments silence. Poor
Frank had some difficulty IN explaining
himself The words he sought would not
"omC at his bidding. and he felt himself
lowing very cowardly.
i viii speak" he said to himself,
-bclore we turn the next corner"
But Sylvia began to talk on such oppo-
site subjects that lis declaration froze on
his lips. At last he said, suddenly.
"Lis.en to me, Sylvia, love you-
This same night the De Lacys had sat
up very late 1 was the habit Of these
brave women to make their hours Of toll
As many as possible, and their lamp was
always the last TO bc eXtmguished in that
quiet street. They always waited for the
return Of their hero, for whom they kept
q comfortable little supper hot.
When he wa playing years before,
naturally and wisely enough this habit
had been adopted. fer he was obliged to
dime early and lightly. But De Lacy had
not played for a long time, yet having no
right, as he said, t. rclinouish the theatre.
he carefully retained the habits il neces-
STATED. of whluh this hot supper WAS by
no means the least agreeable. To retire
without it would have been to admit him
self conquered. to give up the struggle.
The night Of which we speak the actor
had not vet made his appearance. The
two women were at WORK, ana talking
eheertully. notwithstanding the lateuess
Of the hour. All the evening they had
talked Of nothing but Frank. of his sue
cess, and of their joy in it. and of the
future that opened so brightly before
him.
And now" said Mrs. De Lacy. I'VE
must LOOK out a nice little wife for him"
Such was also DoIa'S idea
Ills happiness would be quite certain
If he were to marry q good little woman
who is not afraid Of work. and who would
devote herself 10 him."