Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-06
CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V.
Before them, close enough for their
outStretched hands to have touched il,
was what appeared to be y fran Cd pic
| ture, eNquisitely painted,-a picture
| perfect in outline. matchless in color.
iault,NsS in detail,--but what was in
reality nothing but large latticed
window thrown wide open to admit the
air They could see distinctly
through the shadows cast by the
stately pines, a long, low, rambling
house, built roughly, but strongly, of
wooden rafters, all overgrown with
green and blossoming creepers but
they scarcely glanced at the actual
building. so strongly was their atten-
ton riveted on the one window before
them. 1t was surrounded by an un-
usually broad frame work, curiously
and deliberately carved. ana black as
polished ebony. Flowers grew all
about it,-sweet peas, mignonette, and
large purple lansies while red, and
white climbing roses rioted in UNI
trained profusion over its wide sill.
Above K was quantity built dovecote,
where some of the strutting an-tailed
Inhabitants We're perched, swelling out
their snowy breasts ana discour"ing of
their domestic trials in notes of dulcet
melancholy: while lower down, three
or four ringdoves nestled on the roof
in a patch of sunlight, spreading up
their pinions like miniature sails, to
catch the warmth ard hlstre.
Within the deep, shadowy embrasure,
Ike jewel placed on dark velvet, was
seated girl spinning no other than
thu mysterious maiden of the shell
cavern. She was attired in a plain,
straight gown, Of some soft white
wooden stuff, cut squarely at the throat :
her round, gaceful arms were partially
bare, and as the wheel turned swiftly,
and her slender hands busted thcm-
selves with the flax, she smiled. as
though some pleasing thought had
tCCched her mind. Her smile had the
effect Of sudden sunshine in the dark
room where she sat and span, lit was
radiant and mirthful as tho smile of a
happy child. Yet her dark blue eyes
remained pensive and earnest, and the
smile soon faded, leaving her fair face
absorbed ana almost dreamy. The
whirr~ whirring of the wheel grew less
and less rapid.--it slackencd, lit stop
ped together,-and as though
startled by some unexpected sound the
girl paused and listened, pushing away
the clustering masses OF Ter rich hair
from her brow. Then rising slowly
from her seat, she advanced to the
window, put aside the roses with one
nand, and looked out.-thns forming
another picture as beautiful II not
II orc beautiful, than the first
Lorimer drew his breath hard, Il say
Old fellow" he whispered but Erring-
,2n pressed his arm with vice-like
til-nness, as a warning to him to be
silent, While they both stepped further
back into the dusky gloom OF the pine
boughs
The girl. meanwhile, stood motion
less in a half-eXpcctant attitude. and,
seeing her there some of the doves
IN the roof flew down and strutted on
he ground before her, coo-coolng
pr uily, as though DESTROYS Of attract
Ing her attention. One of them boldly
perched on the window-sll; she glanc-
ed at the bird musingly, and sostly
strokcd its OpaIine wings and shining
head without terrifying f. 1t seemed
m hn nI 10,
down under her hand in order to be
More conveniently caressed Still
gently smoothing its feathers, she
leaned further out among The Chamber
ing wealth % blossoms. and called in a
low, penetrating tone, Father! father!
is that you?"
There was no answer; and after
waiting a minute or two, she moved
and resumed her former seat, the stray
doves few back to their customary
promenade on the roof, and the drowsy
hirr-whirr Of the spinning wheel
muTmured again its monotonous hum
upon the air.
Come on, Phil whispered Lorlmcr
determined not to be checked this time;
y feel perfectly wretched! It's mean
Of Us to be skulkng about here, as II
we were couple Of low thieves wait
ing TO trap some Of those birds for
pigeon-pie. Come away, you've seen
her; hats enough.
Errington did not move. Holding
back branch Of pine, he watched the
movements Of the girl al her wheel
VIII absorbed fascination.
Suddenly her sweet lips parted, and
she sang weird, wild melody, that
seemed, like running torrent, ID have
fallen from the crests Of the mountains
with it echoes from the fur.
thes SUBMITS, mingled with soft wall
ings Of a mournful wind.
Her voice was pure as the ring of |
fine crystaI--deep, liquid, and tender |
with restrained passion In II that STIR |
red Errington's heart and filed II with |
S range unrest and feyerish yearning, |
emotions which were new 10 him, |
and which, while he realized their ex-
lstence, moved him 10 sort 81 |
impotence. He would have