Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-15
De Musset.

A fortnight passed. The first excur
sion in the Eulalie had boen followed
by Others of n similar kind, and Er
rington's acquaintance with the Guild
mars was fast ripening into pieasah
intimacy. It had grown customary TO
the young men to spend that part o
the day which, in spite OF persisten
sunshine. they still called evening, II
the comfortable, quaint parlor OF I'M
old farmhouse, at the vie"
through the rose-wreathed windows
listening to the fantastic LEGENDS o.
Norway as told by Olaf Guldmar, oil
watching Thelma's picturesque figure
as she sat pensively apart In mel
shadowed corner spinning. They hat
fraternized with Sigurad too-that Is
ma he would permit them-for the un'
happy dwarf was uncertain of temper
and II at one hour he were docile and
Welding as q child, the next he would
he found excited and furious Mt some
imaginary slight that he farcied had
been inflicted upon him. Sometimes,
II good-humored he would talk almost
nationally only allowing his fancy 10
play with poetcal ideas concerning the
eea, the flowers, or the sunlieht,-but
no war far more often sullen and
silent. He would draw n low chair to
Tbelma's side, and sit there with hai'-
closed eyes and compressed lips, ana
rome could tell whether he listened to
the conversation around him, or was
utterly Indifferent to It. He had taken
q notable fancy to Lorimer. but he
avoided Errington In the most marked
and persistent manner. The latter
did his best to overcome this unreason-
able dislike. but his efforts were use
less,--and deciding in his mind that 1t
was best to humor Sigurd's vngaries
he soon let him alone. and devoted his
attention more entirely TO Thelma.
Ono evening, after supper at the
farmhouse, Lorimer. who for some
time had been watching Phl'n and
Thelma conversing together In low
tones near the open window, rose from
his seat quietly, without disturbing the
hilarity OF the bonde, who was In the
middle of rollicking sea-story, told
for Macfnrlane's entertairment,-an
slipped out into the garden, where he
strolled along rather ahGently TIL he
found himself in the little close thicket
of pines.-tho very same spot where he
and Philip had stood on the first day
of their visit thither, He threw him
self down on the soft emerald moss
and lit cigar. signing rather arearily
as he did no.
Upon my life," he unused, with 4
half-smile, II am very nearly beng 4
herC,-a regular tage-martyr,-t the
noble creature of the piece! by Joye
wish were u soldier! I'm certain
I could stand tho enemy's fire better
than ,.us! Self-denial? Well. no won.
der tho preachers make such n fuss
about It. It's tough, uncomfortable
duty. But am | self-denying? Not q
bit of Il! Look here, George Lorimer'
here he tapped himself very vlgor.
ously on his chest--"don't you imagine
Yourself to be either virtuous or mag
unanimous! II you were anything of 4
man at all you would never let youl
feelings get the better of you,-you
would be sublimely Indifferent, stoical'
ly calm,--and, as 1t is,--you know
what sneakng hang-dog state oI
envy you were In just now when yot
came out of that room! Aren't yo,
ashamed of Yourself, --rascal?
The inner self he thus Addressed wa
,,,nut ,,n ho Xiv al IN ohpl Nv thiu n liurn
ticn, for his countenance cleared lit
tie, as though he had received IN
apology from his own conscience. He
puifed lazily at his cigar, and felt
somewhat soothed. Light steps below
him attracted his attention, and, look
ing down from the little knoll or
which he lay, he saw Thoma ant
Philip pass. They were walking slowly
along little winding path that led tt
tho orchard, which was situated Il
some little distance from the house
The girls head was bent, and Phllil
was talking to her with evident eager
ness. Lorimer looked after them ear
nestly. and his honest eyes wer fun o
trouble.
God bless them both!" he muir
INJURED half aloud There's no harm
in saying that. anyhow! Dear oil,
Phil! | wonder Whether"
What he would have said was un
certain, for mt that moment he wa
considerably startled by the sight %
n meagre, pale face Eeering through
the parted Pine boughs,--a face IL
which two wild eyeG shone with
hlue-green glitter like that of newl,
sharpened steel
"Rullo, Sigurd," said Lorimer good
naturedly. as he recognized his visitor
What are you up to? Going to climl
tree?'
Sigurd pushed aside the branche,
cautiously and approached He sa
down by Lorimer. and taking hi
hand. kissed 1t deferentially.
II follow you, | saw you go awa,
to grieve alone. came to griev
also!" he said with patient gentle
hees. a. -. \