Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-12-30

Of old Miss Sarah's solemnly elegan
Sunday teas. You have been so wed
ded to science, don't you know, doub
] whether you could ever break YOU
heart into the traces
! Without letting her finish he said
POSSIBLY l might break my heart ou
Of the traces" He looked at her il
such Il way that she could hardly doubt
his wish to convey the idea that she
/ would be the cause Of the catastrophe
"Oh, you know what l mean," she
said quite lightly and laughing.
Brenton was perhaps more earnest
and engaging than he knew as he re
piled, ''The question is, Do you know
what / mean!"
Lily was equal to The situation still.
81 don't believe you know yourself, F."
said she cheerfully.
'Ah, well, if you have so little faith
in my knowledge as that" he began.
Just then they were interrupted by
JJuIian Reed, who approached, casting
a glance of solicitude at Brenton, who
ut once set out to talk eminenuy sane
commonplaces by way Of an example.
In the ensuing weeks Brenton was
more assiduous than ever. He came
to see Lily Paret as often as he reason
ably could. He danced with her. sent
her flowers, made himself her servant.
He did all the basking in the sunlight
Of her presence which is expected from
young man who is in love. And all
the time old Miss Sarah thought he
seemed to grow stronger, brighter,
handsomer.
"Lily is his very life.' she exclaimed
rhapsodically in the privacy Of her
lonely house to the Paret diamonds,
which were the only confidants she
had.
Matters went on thus for two months.
He was seen no more in the club or
cafe, drawing room or ballroom.
Everybody WAS asking. "What can
have become Of him?' Old Miss Sarah
could not make it out. Iily's mother
inquired Of Julian whether BrentOn
was i'll ''Pm afraid he is said Reed.
and reprOached himself for not having
told somebody about Arthurs insanity.
you're afraid he isl" retorted Mrs.
Paret Indignantly. cit seems to me
YOU ought to find out"
Poor Reed excused himself feebly.
and went off to look for Brentcn. But
it happened that the very next day
Mrs. Parct, who seldom walked. was
on foot near her house, and met Arthur
Trenton himself. looking exceedingly
We'll
''Why, what has become of you?"
she inquired.
Nothing" said Arthur; give gone
back to my work as usual"
''What do You mean"'
'I11 tell YOU" he said 81 had CON
fined myself too closely. My doctor
said ] must throw everything over and
take recreation. He prescribed society.
l accepted his advice. I've had a splen-
did time. and now I'm all fresh again
for my studies"
"Oh!' Mrs. Parct returned somewhat
chiliingly. I'm glad to hear YOU have
such wise doctor. It was heroic
treatment but you've survived the
dose; so it has turned Que wcll-for
you"
''Nfy dear Mrs. Paret!" Brenton OK
claimed. ''Don't YOU it Il dose. I as
sure You it has been charming OK
pCriencc."
"Thanzs," said Mrs Paret, and left
him
Brenton feared that something had
gone wrong His own sensations, more
over confirmed the fear. He was not
Somehow, i'll spite of his
refreshed state, electricity did not
seem quite so attractive as formerly.
In Il short time Lily Parets interest
i'll social affairs also relaxed. With her
light brown hair, her delicate coloring,
her graceful, quiet, listening manner,
She was as charming as ever, but be-
yond question she grew paler and more
inert day by day. The doctor was sum
moned Ghe same discerning person
who had counseled Brenton). Miss
Paret," he announced, needs a change
not of scene or air, but of occupation.
If she could drop society and become
cngrossed in some intellectual pursuit
l should expect it to do her great good.
But it is hard thing to manage"
Lily. however, did not think it hard.
She dropped society forthwith for a
time. Having had a good college train
ing she was able to start off fairly well
OH the prescribed line.
And what branch of study do you
think she chose? Curiously enough,
electricity. In her ardent, feminine
way she chung to it all winter, so that
when Brenton, beginning to feel run
down again, tried the old remedy and
plunged into the "stream of gaiety,'
he did not find her there, and promptly
plunged out again. The old remedy
was no longer efficacious.
Lily, in her new occupation, which
was considered by her circle to be I'M
duly eccentric, improved a little as to
health and cheerfulness, but as for
Brenton, he felt his powers declining
steadily.
Late in May he attended meeting
a little way out of town, which was to
witness some new and rather remark
able experiments. and to his surprise
he found Lily there too. The tests
were to be made on a somewhat ex-
posed hill, and the weather being I'M
veloped. This interrupted the business
for which the party had assembled,
and they all hastily sought shelter.
What has induced you to go into
this study?' Brenton asked Lily, with