Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-09-02


beautiful she is, mon Dieu! beyond all
compariSon!"
Lorimer was silent, so was Macfar-
lane. After pause Duprez spoke
again.
And do you know, cher Lorimer,
when our Phil-eep will marry?"
Il haven't the slightest idea" re-
turned Lorimer. Il know they are en-
gagged, that's all"
Suddenly Macfarlane broke into a
chuckling laugh,
Say, Lorimer, he said. with his
deep small grey eyes shining with
mischief. " 'Twould be grand fun to
see auld Dyceworthy' face when he
hears OF, BY the Lord! He'll fall to
cursin' an swearin like ma pious
aunt in Glasgie or that auld witch that
cursed Miss rhelma yeStreen!'
An eminently unpleasant old wo-
man she was!" said 1.urimer musingly.
Il wonder what she meant by it,"
She meant, mon cher, said Duprez
airily, that she knew herself to be
ugly and venerable while Mademoiselle
was youthful ana ravishing-it is a
sufficient reason to excite profanity in
the mind of laGy!"
Here comes Errington!" said Mac
farlane, pointing 10 the approaching
boat that was coming swiftly back
from the Guldmars pier. "Lorimer,
are we to congratulate him."
III you like!" returned Lorimer.
II dare say he won't object"
So that as soon as Sir Philip set
foot on the yacht, his hands We're cor
d,Illy grasped, and his friends outvied
each other in good wishes for his hap
piness, He thanked them simply and
with a manly straightforwardnesS, en-
! tirely free from the usual affected en-
barrassment that some modern young
men think it seemly to adopt under
similar circumstances.
The fact is" he said frankly Il
congratulate myself-lm more Ncky
than ! deserve, | know!"
| What sensation she will make in
London, PHIL" said Lorimcr suddenly.
i've just thought of it, Good Heavens!
| Lady Winsleigh will cry for sheer spite
and VeXation!'
Philip laughed, Il hope not he
said. Il should think it would need
I immense force to draw a tear from her
ladyship's cold bright eyes.
She used to like you awfully, Phil!"
! said Lorimer. You were great
favorite of hers"
"All men are her favorites with the
exception of one-her husband" OBJ
served Errington gaily. Come along,
let's have some champagne to celebrate
, the day! Well propose toasts and
drink healths-we've got fair excuse
for jollity this evening"
They all descended into the saloon.
! and had merry time Of it, singing
songs and telling good stories, Lorimer
being the gayest of the party, and it
was long past midnight when they re-
tired to their cabins, without even
! looking at the wonders of the most
gorgeous sky that had yet shone on
their travels.
rhelma saw it, standing under her
house porch, whittier her father had
joined her-Sigurd saw it--he had
come out from some thicket where he
had been hiding, and he now sat, in
q humble, crouching posture at Thel
mas feet. All three were silent, rev.
erently watching the spreading splen-
dor of the heavens. Once Guldmar adj
crossed his daughter in a soft tone.
Thou art happy, my bird?'
She smiled-the expression of her
face was almost divine in its rapture
Perfectly happy, my father!'
At the sound Of her ducet voice,
Sigurd looked up. His large, blue eyes
aere full of tears, he took her hand
and held it in his meagre and wasted
one.
Mistress he said suddenly "do
you think / shall soon die?'
She turned her plying eyes down
upon him, startled by the vibrating
melancholy of his tone.
Thou wilt die, Sigurd," answered
/ 'hiuhIdl BSHllyI WucH inc Sp'A
! please-not one second sooner or later
Art thou eager to see ValhallaE'
Sigurd nodded dreamily. "They will
understand me there" he murmured.
And | shall grow straight and strong
ana brave! Mistress. If you meet in
/ Valhalla, you will love met"
She stroked his wild fair locks. II
love you now, Sigurd," she said ten
derby. But perhaps we shall all love
each other better in heaven"
Yes, yes!" exclaimed Sigurd, pat
! ting her hand caressingly. When we
are all dead, dead When our bodies
crumble away and turn TO flowers and
birds and butterflies and our souls
come out like white and red flames
yes then we shall love each other
and talk Of such strange, strange
things." He paused and laughed wild
IT, Then his voice sank again into
melancholy monotony-and he added
Mistress, you are killing poor Sig
urd!"
Thelma's face grew very earnest and
q