Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-12
BELLE BURGoYNE's BLUNDER.

q young glrl seated on one u the fuStlC
benches. Her head was thrown back, and
there was an expression of pain on her
face. She was simply but neatly clad,
and portfolio lay on the bench beside
her.
He approached her, lifted his hat and
kIndly said
You seem to be In distress. Can be
Of any service to your
Scs looked up, her soft gray eyes
searching his bronzed, handsome face.
Sir, ! have sprained my ankle-and
badly so, am afraid, she said speaking
with considerable effort, though her voice
was none the less sweet. Il did it while
clambering over the rocks"
'Ill order carriage, he said.
He hailed a pubic conveyance and
gently helped her into 1t. He seated him
self opposite to her and tried to engage
her in conversation, but found her dis
posed to be reticent; perhaps because she
vas suffering likely because he was
a stranger Once or twice he caught her
furtivey scanning his face, as if she was
becoming interested IN him.
The discovery pleased him, tor he was
very much impressed in her favor. She
was not very handsome, nor especially
graceful, and yet there was something
abgut her face that pleased, and much
about Ner manner that was lady-lIls
When they reached the cottage l1Ewhlch
She lived he assisted her out of the car
mage She did not trust to bear he weigh,
upon her sprained ankle and so she lean
ed heavily upon him.
pretty little waiting maid came run
ming to the door, quite excited, and yet
not forgetting to courtesy to the hand
some stranger.
oh, Miss Bun goyne, what has happen
ed?' she cried, her hands nervously
cIasped in front of her.
do not be alarmed" her mistress
said, II have merely sPrained my
ankle"
'Shall send d doctor?" asked Mr..
Dubra5seJ.
IF you will be so kind, " she softly said
also compensate the driver, she added,
as she extended her purse.
Never mind" said Mr.. Dlbrasset,
n Il settle with him
Maria, pay the driver" ordered Miss
Burgoyne.
The girl took the parse and paid the
man, who waved his hand and drove
away.
May call 20 inquire how you are get
ting along?' asked Mr.. Dubrasset.
THE doctor will inform you, she SEN
tentiously said.
A piqued expression came to his bronzed
face.
'Ill help you into the house, he said
I'm lean on Maria" was her reply.
Tier tone was firm, but not repeuant
He laughed softly and SAID:
II shall con sider myself sLmmarily dis
missed -
Miss Burgoyne was already leaning on
the waiting maids arm. She turned to
the stranger the blood filling her face,
the gray eyes softening wonderously.
do not think noe rude, she said, al
most appealingIy. 81 haven t even thanked
you.' She paused moment and then
added, Eyes, yon may Gail. "
Mr.. Dubrasset bowed and withdrew
while Miss BIrgoyne entered the house IN
. laborions way, Catching Maria tightly
- every spasm Of pain.
When he called the next day he found
uer reclining in an easy chair, her band
aged foot resting on a hasSOck. She wei
coined him with a smile, and extended her
small, white, capable looking hand.
GU rested well?' he asked, earnest
sympathy in his tone.
On, yes. she replied The doctor
says I'll Toe out in a few days. Pray be
seated.
The room was cosy and inviting-not
quite a boudoir, and not entirely ansate-
ler,
On, you are an artist" he exclaime
in pleasant tone.
He walked to the easel and examined
an almost finished picture. It was mar
set scene In Flanders. Some peasants
were chaffering with the marke. women
over their purchases. 1t was in the gray
If the early morning, and Il candle was
still suffering on the table.
This is very fine, he said. Allow
me.
As he spoke be picked up a brush and
dipped it into the coIors.
on, don't, pIeasa.' she exclaimed un-
easily, "uulesS-."
Unless am proficient. eh?" supplied
he. with a smile. You can trust me.
A few touches aud the effect was sur
QciSing. He had simply frightened up
the faces where the beams from the candle
fell upon them
Oh" circulated Miss Burgoyne, in de-
lighted surprise. Il tried In vain to get
that effect. All. you have genius!'
The gray eyes warmed with d glow Of
appreciation.
He laid down the brush and resumed his
seat. As trey sat there and talked, they
inadvertently revealed to each other
ghmpses OF their past lives. and when
they parted they felt as though they had
known each other for years.
She certainly Is charming, was his
mental comment COMPACT, cultured
and practical. served enough to be
tantalizing; confidential enough to capt.
vate.
General Dubrasset was a man Of great
wealth. He spent his income in travelling
and IN gratifying his lasts for the gran7
in art aad the beautiful in nature. He
was sotiable In disposition. and had
mingled largely with tn world He hal
me- scores of women wi rea' charms OF
mind aud person, and yet none of them
mad attracted him as strongly as this
Qaias. self con.anei, helpful American
girl. whose aga lain auCe he had made by
the veIiest accident.
She soon got over the latter, and he be-
clme a frequent visitor st the cottage
sac was always glad to see him; Il she
was not demonstrative II was because il
was not her nature to De.
One day he noticed on her table q pretty
little clay figure of a shepherd and his
cog.
This is very artistic, he said.