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

CHAPTER AVl.
I'll NY personne qui ait Ell autant
| d soulfrir votre sujet que moi depuis
ma naissance! aussi je yous supple
dtux genoux ct au nom de Dleu
d'avoir petite de moi!"--Old Breton
| Ballad.
In few more days Thelma's en-
gagement to Sir Philip Bruce Erring-
ton was the talk of the neighborhood
The news spread gradually, having
heen, in the first place, started by
Britta, whose triumph in her mistress S
happiness was charming - witness.
1t reached the astonished and reluc-
tant ears of the Reverend MI Dyce-
worthy, whose rage was so great thai
it destroyed his appetite for twenty
four hours But the general impress
sion In the neighborhood, where super
stltion maintained SO strong a hold on
the primitive and prejuliced minds of
the people, was that the reckless young
Englshman would rue the day Oh
which he welded the white witch Of
the Altenfjord'
Guldmar was regarded with more
suspicion than ever, as having used
some secret an! diabolcal influence to
promote the II oh; and the whole
party were, as II seemed, tabooed, and
looked upon AZ given up to the most
uhholy practices.
Needless to say, the opinions of the
villagers had no effect whatever on the
good spirits of those who were thus
unfavorably criticized, ana it would
have been difficult to find q merrier
group than that assembled one fine
morning In front of Guldmar house,
evidently unusually lengthy and ardu-
GUS mountain excursion Each man
carried long stout stick, portable
flask, knapsack, and rug--the latter
two articles strapped together and
slung across the shouder-and they
all presented an eminently picturesque
appearance, particularly Sigurd, who
stood at a little distance from the
others, leaning on his tall staff and
gazing ut Thelma with an air of pecu
liar pensiveness and abstrao ton.
She was at that moment busted in
adjusting Errlngtons kni psack more
comfortably, her fail, laughing face
turned up to his, and her bright eyes
alight with love and tender soicitude.
1--WE a good mind not to go at all,
L,N n. IN,
back and stay with you all day"
You foolish boy!" she answered
merrily. You would miss seeing the
gland fall all for what? 10 sit with
me and watch me spinning, and you
would grow so very sleepy! Now, il
were man, | would go with you"
Pm very glad you're not mani
said Errington, pressing the little
hand that had j st buCkled his Shout
Ger-strap. Though | wish you were
going with us. But | say, Thelma
darling, won't you be lonely?"
She laughed gaily. Lonely? |.
Why, Britta is with me besides, | am
never lonely now" She uttered the
last word softly, with a shy, upward
glance. Il have so much to think
about She paused and drew her
hand away from her lovers close
clasp. All she resumed, with mis-
chievous smile, you are a couceitei
boy! You want to be missed! You
wish me to say that shall feel most
miserable all the time you are away!
If do, shall not tell you'll"
"Thelma, child" called Olaf Guild
mar, ut this junetule, keep the gates
bolted and doors barred while we are
absent. Remember, thou and III itta
must pass tho night alone here, we
cannot be at home till late in the even
ing of tomorrow. let no one inside
the garden, and deny thyseif to all
Corners. Dost thou hear?"
Yes, father, she responded meekly.
And let Britta keep good guard that
her crazy hag of d grandGm come no
hither to disturb or fright thee with
her croaking, for thou hast not even
Slgurd to protect thee
Not even sigurd" said that person
"SN' WIN q hhihiNdllN' slullts No,
mistress; not even poor Sigurd"
One OF us might remain behind,
suggested Lori ." with side look mt
his friend.
"Oh no, no." exclaimed Thelma anX-
iously. 1T would yeN me SO mucn,
Brtta and have often been alone be-
fore. We are quite safe, are we not,
Mther?"
Safe enough said the old man.
with n laugh, Il know of no one save
Lovisa Elsland who has the courage %
face thee, child! Still, pretty witch as
thou art, twill not harm thee to put
the iron bar across the house door, AMI
to lock fast the cutter gate when we
have gone. This done, have no fcal
Ct thy safety. Now" and he kissed
His daughter heartily, nov, It's time
we were on the march, Sigurd, my
boy lead on"
Watt" cried Slgurd, springns %
rhelma's side. Il must say good bye"
And he caught the girls hand and
kissed it,-then pluckinS /, rose, he
left It between her fingers THAT will
remind you CT Sisu,d, mistress Think