Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-12-29

her dainty toud4ir The lights burn
dimly through opalebcent globes that
swing low on either side tho dressing
table, the soft rays reflected from all
the bravery of crystal and silver be-
longingS #" tt"-t.i in careless !,ro-
fusion on the Siil1cn cover. Another
shining from above hangs directly
over the tall g mirror IN which Is
reflected the Girls exquisite face and
perfect form rs She lc"lineS in a low,
crimson, velvet chair. with the fire
light sending ftfuI CLEANS over her
where she sits. Exquisite. indeed
with the rich beauty of tropical
flower is .JceSira TO whom some Span
ish ancestor has hequeathed her Won
dcrfuI dark eyes and almond hued
skin. and whose figure might have
Iipencd under the same warm sun that
kisses such flowers to perfection 1t is
near the stroke of - and JeSsica
raises her luminous eyes to the clock,
a pretty tor II ivory and gold. all
rompir4 Cupid> and cooling doves
chasing the hours and ringing them
out in sweet chime, upon golden bells.
,'ilow strange il Sc"m> she says
softly to herself. just one YEAR ago;
and we were 50 happy, heard to-
night that Harold had returned: if
could but see him: Just moment, to
say how sorry am, and how foolish to
let pride stand between me and my
love.
she rises impatiently and PAGES the
floor in her unrest, the white draperies
Of her Gown making Il soft frou frou on
the rich rugs aS She walks. Pride and
ioyr nave fought within her too often
for her not to dread the struggle; only
She feels tonight that she must see
him, her lover. 80 soft and tender in
speech to her, vet brave withal and
manly
While she lives over and yet again in
memory, all the happy hours they
knew once 50 long ago it seems;
though but twelvemonth-th hour
rings out softly clearly. with slow,
musical strokes upon the golden bells
Of the pretty toy that stands above
the fire She pauseS to listen
and count. and recalls with thrill
how Harold looked at just this hour
year ago as he stood listening to the
midnight chimes ringing out the old
year. ringing in the new. and waiting
with longing and yes. She is sure
loving eyes. vet dignitied mien, for her
word of forgiveness or dismissal. And
sheo How could she let him go thus,
she thinks. without an explanation?
True he ought to have known; but
there-how should he know"
And so the twelve strokes fall upon
her heart, lingering, slow, telling that
the old year is dying and the new year
close. Close? 1t is here. And all at
once a sudden impulse seizes Iessica;
She flies swiftly to her ivory escritoire;
in her haste. so eager she can scarce
control her pen to trace the words, and
She writes. 1T first many words. then
upon new sheet OF paper, only line:
Come to me-if You care to
',lEs>lCA."
and dates it New Years day. Softly she
HES her way TO the lower hall and de-
posts the missive in the box at the door,
whence she knows it cannot be res
cued save by the post collector and
then she creeps, all atremble with her
own emotions. into her nest. where
slumber soon sets its seal upon her
Huttering heart and snowy lids.
New Years eve says handsome
Harold Gray. as he throws himself into
his favorite' chair. which. somehow.
seems not to fit his broad frame and
lazy length 50 comfortably as usual
he strikes a light for his cheroot but
with llstless air. and looks up at the
clock, massive ebony figure, holding
spear appraised with which to strike
brazen shield when the hour bids. 1t
IS near midnight. and Harold's eyes