Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-11-25

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Good night, dear old darling!"
Good light, Clara!" and Mrs. Mar
selle, summoning her timid husband
from some far corner, where he had
remained in hiding, took her departure
with much statelness.
great many people were going
down to supper by this time, but Sir
Philip was tired Of the heat and glare
and noise, and whispered as much to
Thelma, who at once advanced to bid
her hostess farewell.
Wont you have some supper?"
inquired her ladyship. Don't go yeti"
But Tbena was determined not TO
detain her husband a moment longer
than he wished-so Lady Winsleigh,
seeing remonstrances were of no
avail, babe them both an ELUSIVE good
night.
1--WE mist see a great deal OF each
other!" she said, pressing Thtlma's
hands warmly in her own: II hope we
shall be quite dear friends!"
"Thank you!' said Thelma, Il do
hope so too, IL you wish 1t SO much.
Good night, Lord Winsleigh!"
Let me escort you to your car
riage," said her noble host, at once
Offering her his arm.
"And allow me to follow" added
Beau Lovelace, slipping his arm
through Errington's, to whom he
whispered, How dare you, sir! How
dare you be such a proyokingly happy
man in this miserable old word?" Err
rirgton laughed-and the little group
had Just reached the door of the
drawing-room when Thelma suddenly
turned with look Of inquiry in her
eyes.
Where is Mr. Lorimer?" she said
IL have forgotten to say good night
o him, Philip"
Here | am, Lady Errington," and
Lorimer moved forward with rather a
forced smile,-a smile which alto
gether vanished, leaving his face
strangely pale, as she stretched out
her hand to him. and said laughingly-
you bad Mr.. Lorimer! Where We're
you? You know 1t would make me
ute unhappy not to wish you good
night. All, you are very naughty
rother!
Come home with us, George
said Sir Philip eagerly. "Do, there's
good fellow!"
II can't, Phil" answered Lorimer,
almost pathetically. Il can't tonight
indeed, | can't! Don't ask mel" And
he wrung his friends hand hard
and then bravely met Thelma's bright
glance.
Forgive mel" he said to her. 81
know / ought to have presented my
self before-I'm a dreadfully lazy fell
low, you know! Good night"
Thelma regarded him steadfastiy.
you look,-what is it you call
yourself sometimes seedy?" she OBJ
served. mot well at all. Mind you
come to us tomorrow"
He promlsed-and then accompanied
them down to their carriage-he and
Beau assisting to cover Thelma
with her fur cloak, and being the last
to- shake hands with Sir Philip as he
sprang In beside his wife, and called
to the coachman "Home!" The magic
word seemed to affect the horses, for
they started at a brisk trot, and within
a couple of minutes the carriage was
out of sight. 1t was a warm star-lit
evening,-and as Lorimer and Love-
lace re-entered Winsleigh House, Beau
stole a side-glance at his silent COM
panlon.
"a plucky fellow" he unused; 81
should say he'd die game. fortunes
won't wiring his secret out of him"
Aloud he said, II say, haven't we had
enough of this. Don't let us sup here
but unsubstantial pastry
and cTaret-cup-the latter abominable
would kill me. Come on to
the Club will you?"
Lorimer gladly assented-they got
their over-coats from the otiicious
bllESS, llpHSu llll AuluSOllclS, ultu
departed arm In arm. The last glimpse
they caught OF the Winsleigh festvi-
ties was Marcia Van Clupp sitting on
the stairs, polishing on with much
gusto the wing and half-breast of a
capon, while the mild Lord Masher-
vile stood on the step just above her,
consoling his appetite with spoonful
of tepid yellow jelly. He had not been
able to secure any capon for himself
he had been frightened away by the
sarning cry OF Ladies' tirst!" shouted
orth by fat gentlemln who was on
guard ut the head of the supper table,
and who had already secreted five
plates of different edibles for his own
consumption, in neat corner behind
he window-curtains. Meanwhile, Sir
Philip Bruce Burlington, proud, happy,
and triumphant, drew his wife into
close embrace Ms they drove home to-
gether, and said. You were the queen
of the evening, my Thelma! Have you
enjoyed YOURSELF"