Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-05-20
ITO Frank Florence, Esq, c. E.,
"ISmailia. EryIt
CHATTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
Those persons whose lives are sedenta-
ry, either from infirmities or from the ma
ture of their daily labors, become inter
ested in the opposite windows, and in the
passers-by, to'a degree that is not easily
understood by those who lead an active
existence
Mrs. De Lacy and her daughter lived
very secluded life, and had, therefore.
learned to take keen interest in the out
side world that flowed through their little
street with a certain regularity AS the
window was small, the mother, whose eyes
were growing dim from advancing years
and constant labor sat nearest to it, close
behind the muslin curtains; her daugh-
ter's armchair was a little farther off, and
the mother announced each passer-by,
this gave subjects fer conversation, and
shortened the long hours. There were
two young sisters a gentleman in gray
coat; a child attended by a servant on its
way to and from school. If TRAINED Mrs.
De Lacy would lament: ''They will GER
tainly get wet! They will not get in be-
fore the showerw
When the spring sun shone in all its
glory, or the snow whitened the pave
ments in December, they only knew the
change of season by some new article OF
dress worn by one of their friends.
Now, on a certain day Of which we
write, the air was soft and mild. everyone
seemed ANXIOUS TO De OtE On uOors; every
window WAS thrown wide open. Dora and
her mother, however, only sewed the
faster, as they wished to make use of ev-
cry ray of daylight, The voices of the
children playing in the street. the Jingle
of a baIIel-organ, and the cOsteTmongcrs'
cries. filed the air with an indefnable
sense Of spring. Mrs. DE Lacy at last put
down her work and stood at the window
in the gathering darkness.
There is Mr.. Denman-how early he is
leaving the factory tonight! But the
days are long now, so I suppose it must be
after eight o'clock Who is it with him 2"
she continued to her daughter without
turning round Can it be- It is Ger
tertainlywonderfully like Frank Florencei
Look, Doraw
But the young girl did not move; her
listlessly into her lap. Her thoughts had
taken wings to,a far distant land. The
mere name of Frank pronounced so care
lessly by her mother. in consequence of a
fancied resemblance borne by some stran-
ger, was to her like throwing open the
portals Of her past and OF her future
Hopes, as 'feeting as the color on her
check. whispered delusive words into her
ear. She remembered how, in DAYS that
now seemed far away, she had learned to
know his stcpupon the stair; to hear him
as he drew his table nearer to the window.
Alas! what quiet pain she had suffered as
she sat there on that low chair and talked
OF Sylvia! The very tone Of his voice re-
turned to her, the soft and tender look in
his eyes, as he spoke Of his future hap
piress. The young girls heart grew
heavy. Hope deferred maketh the heart
sick.
Che gathering darkness left only the
square of the open window visible, near
which still sat her mother Suddenly the
door. opened; some one was there, though
nothing could be distinguished in the
gloom. The De Lacy's rarely had visitors,
and the mother thought it was some one
from their employers.
lily husband has just taken our work
home" said Mrs. De Lacy.
The man came forward, still silent; the
last faint rays from the window fell upon
his bronzed face and long light beard.
TDo you not know mef said familiar
voice.
Il knew you at once,'' answered Dora,
IN a cold and measured voice.
'.Good heavens, it is Frank" cried Mrs.
De Lacy, running to light her lamp. "And
you have come back to your old friendsl
Dora, what an icicle you are! Why do
you not tell him how glad you are to see
him againf
An icicle, indeed! But she was as white
ss one, and the little hand Frank was hold
ing was as cold as snow. He thought her
prettier than ever, and she looked up at
his tail figure full Of admiration for bis
height and strength, even while she read
In his eyes q new expression. one of sad
ness and anxiety.
The anxiety came from Jobs letter,
which had brought him home at once
His sadness was of an earlier date, and
had taken possession of him when the wo-
man he loved had become his brothers.
wife. Florence had written to him before
his marriage almost begging his peInis-
sion to be happy and that IN words so
touching and so tender, that the blow was
somewhat softened. but the wound, new
ertheless, was very deep, and Frank
threw himself desperately into his pro-
fession, and hoped, by incessant toll all
day, to win sleep and forgetfulness at
night. But now, IN the Indignation he felt
against his brothers. faithless wife, there
fingered no trace OF love; contempt had
taken its place. TWAS not as lover, but
as an avenger that he came, and Sylvia
had best beware!
Immediately upon his arrival the young
man went to the factory, but no one was
there. The shutters Of the partners res
idence had been closed for fortnight
The gardener informed him that both
ladies were in the country, and that their
respective husbands went out of town ev
cry night. Frank decided to speak to Job
but it was Saturday, payday, and he was
obliged to wait until the crowd OF opera
tives had left. Although impatient and
out of spirits, Frank experienced keen
pleasure IN again finding himself in the |