Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-05-13
CuAPTER TX.

Ii was most unfortunate that Sylvia and
George never found themselves together
again at Oaklands. The trees that had
heard his vows and protcstations two
short years ago still stood there, and. as
their leaves rustlcd in the wind, seemed
to laugh at his Inconsistency.
As 10 Annie. she had never been 50 hap
ny. Her chi}d's little feet tIod the same
turf on which she had played herself
She looked around her in serene content,
and thanked heaven III her heart that it
had placed her in SO fair world, and
showcrcd so many blessings upon her.
Sylvia was in very different frame of
mind. She declared that the child's noise
distracted her, and appealed to Mr.. Gray
to know if children were not always bores
He laughingly told her that he had never
heard Of but one who was not. Sylvia
was caresscd and fattcrcd by the Old man
to her hearts content. The carriages,
that had been shut up for SO many months
that the spiders had woven their webs
over the silk cushions, were now brought
out and placed at her disposal. She drove
out two or three times q day.
Everyone in the house followed the gay
example; the gardener took better care of
his flowers. because Mrs. Florence wished
to wear them in her hair. suppers and
dinners were arranged, where Annie, of
course, presided, bat Sylvia was the guid-
ing spirit,
Occasionally the child would be ailing,
and Annie would be obliged to excuse her
self, at the last moment. and allow Sylvia
to go alone to the station to meet the gen
tlemen on their return from town in the
afternoon.
Then Sylvia, with the air Of fine lady,
would seat herself IN the beautiful car
riawe, and order the cuachI0au 10 drive
like the wind. She leant hack, wrapped
in soft laces, with her eyes halt-closed.
and only aroused from her luxurious
dreams by hearing the voices Of some
poorly-clod people out for holiday. She
looked at them with shjyer Of disgust,
COR thew recalled too viv2dly her miserable
past. with its notifications ana miScilcS.
When the carriage reached the station.
Sylvia heard with ill-disgui>ed pleasure
the murmur which greeted her appear
ance.
1t is young Mrs. Speed" she heard in
awhispcr from more than one person.
The mistake was scarcely surprising to
anyone who saw the thly, drive away
the ;Netty, gay little woman looked like
the wife of the elegant man at her side
white L florence opposite, mluult-aSSu ana
grave, seemed to telong to u different
world.
While Oaklands was thus transformed
by the caprices Of d girl, old Cray looked
on quietly. He was of an extremely in.
ouisitire nature. Believing that ''knowl
edge is power" he spared no pains 10 gre
at a secret Whenever, and wherever h,
suspected one; he had always been mor
or less of a spy. The goiGgrS and doing
of his servants interested him immensely
not basket of vegetables came into hi
kitchen without a preliminary examina
ton from himself. lie took the creates
pleasure in finding fault, and bringing 81
offender to justice. All this gave him &C
cupation, and was useful again IN tn
evening when he repeated all the morn
ing's occurrences to his guests
In order to carry ont his plan of con
slant vigilance over his people, he spen
the greater part of the day seated on
bench near the lodge-gates, where b
could see everv one who came IN or wen