Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-11-22

was NOT complimentary.
II am but Il faded old maid, after
ALL"
Was sNeE Her thirty years Of peace.
tul life, With only one heart struggle,
had left her face as smooth ms In girl.
nood, Blooming She had never been,
her oval face having !. soft. creamy
complexion that was seldom flushed
with color, though It's exquisite fair.
ness was never pallor.
Her delicate, straight nose, small,
sweet mouth, even white teeth and
large, soft, brown eyes were rs at.
tractNe rs ever; aud the rich brown
hair dressed now in pompadour rolls,
was bright IN its glossy waves as II
had been twelve years ago,
"CNuSidcring It Is twelve years since
| wore this dress and flowers, | do not
look So very Anticipated. \ train Is
always y train, and suppose the over.
skirt modcrnIzcS IT," thought Ethie,
Then she went to a box hidden away
IN her bureau drawer, and from It's
most secret corner she took ring,
wrapped carefully In soft cotton.
"narr !" she whispered, turning Il
around under the gaSllght and showing
tho device, an cnamcled violet with
n flashing diamond for It's heart
"Wtll he dcspisr me Il put II on2"
she thought, "Will he think am too
easily won back aEaing Should DIES.
riSc the hasty Judgment that led him
to condemn me unheard. twelve long,
long wears agng"
She hrsltatcd some minutes. then put
tho ring upon the foTtingcr OF her left
hand, turning II So that the violet
was hidden, and only rlain gold
band seemed added to her other rings
"Enlr! are YOU gomg?' Girls your
aunt Is going"
ON" cried Carrie, you magnificent
aunty You viii throw all the girls
into the shade. What Il superb sllkl
ana you IN fun dress" she continued,
win more enthusiasm than grammat,
irNl precision.
"WNCrc did YOU dig up that violet
silk asked Mrs. Marshall II Thought
It's giorIcS had departed years ago, DO
YOU remember the evening YOU wore II,
whom papa gave Kate her first partly
II remember" Ellie said IN low
voice.
The evening was half gone. and Ellie
had only seen at Il distance the tall
hgurr and handsome face of her hero
Or the evening.
As the brother of the popular Mrs.
Montgomery. rs Il reputed millionaire,
~ one who had been for twelve years
In China, Mr., Harold Russell was
forced To submit to be lionXed,
lie VAS much altered Ellie thought.
Yet, MS the hours flew by, she caught
herself recognizing certain expressions
0f the dark eyes. the mobile mouth,
certain Indications Of the deep, manly
voice. and once her heart beat mmult.
uously ~ familiar laugh rang out
upon the air,
More than once she had screened
herself from Il tall figure approaching
the place where she stood, and more
than once the violet silk had illtted In.
to another room. lust as Harold Rus.
sell thought he could touch IT,
There had been much dancing, much
tlirting and many games Of whist,
when n small party of music lovers
collected around the grand piano, beg
cling Miss Selwyn To sing.
"lust one song, Miss Selwyn,' Mrs.
Grant herself cntreated. "fhere are
so many anxious To hear you
Very reluctantly the lady drew of
her white gloves and seated, herself
before the piano,
rhe group around her listened for
the usual brilliant prelude and an elnb.
crate and difficult "show Off" song, but
after moment of silence the little
hands struck two rich, full chords,
moment she paused then to steady the
trembling heart, then In II clear sweet
voice she sang the opening verse OF
"Auld Lang Sync.'
The second verse was sung when
close beside the singer deep bass
voice Joined In the chorus
Quick crimson iiushes passed over
I9mic's check, but she sang steadily,
at every chorus the voice she knew so
well Joining her own.
No one else noticed II, but with each
verse these voices, 10 estranged grew
stronger, clearer, more 1ubilant, TIL
It'll the last one the spirit seized them
IN, ana deafcnIng chorus of the
company closed the song.
They drftcd away, broke up Into
couples md groups while Harold Rus
sell affecting to turn over some music,
said In n low voice
"Cnu we indeed be as In Aud Lang
Syne Enie? Can you forgive mef'
For answer she slowly turned the
ring upon her finger until he recog.
nizcd the device he had chosen for her
twelve years before.
Mamma" May Marshall whispered,
edo you see Aunt Ellie dancing with
Mr.. Russell? | do not see one young
couple so handsome and distinguished
looking as they are"
A sudden memory flashed over Mrs.
Marshall.
"rhe last time Ellie wore that violet
aill, ~ shn thoupht 'she danced with