Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05

means we'll! He looks rather seedy.
think, Mr., Guldmar, well be OF to
the yacht, BY the way. You're coming
With us tomorrow, aren't you?"
oh yes" said Thelma, I'VE viii
sail with YOU round b. Soroe.--it is
weird and dark and grand: but think
II is beautiful And there are many
stories of the elves and herg-folks,
who are said to dwell there among the
deep ravines, Have YOU heard about
the herg-folk?" she continued, ad-
dressing herself to arlington, unaware
OF the effort he was making to appear
cool and composed in her presence,
NO? Then | must tell YOU tomorrow,
They all walked out OF the house
Into the porch, and while her father
was interchanging farewells with the
others, she looked ut Sir Philips grave
face with some solicitude.
II am afraid YOU are very tired my
trtend%" sue asked softly. "or your
head aches,-and you suffer-"
He caught her hands swiftly and
raised them to his lips.
Would you care much, would you
care at all, II | sufered:" he muir
INJURED In low tone.
Then before she could speak or
move, he let so her hands again, and
turned with his usual easy courtesy to
Guldmar. Then we may expect you
without fail tomorrow, sir. Good
right"
Good night, my lad!"
And with many hearty samtations
the young men took their departure
raising their hats to Thelma as they
turned down me winding path to ne
shore She remained standing near
her father, and, when the sound of
their footsteps had died away, she
drew closer still and laid her head
against his breast
Cold. my hird?" queried the old
man. why, thou art shivering,
child.-and yet the sunshine IL us
warm as wine. What ails thee?"
Nothing, father" And she raised
her eyes, glowing and brilliant as
stars. Tell me, do you think often of
my mother now"
"Often!" And Guldmar's fine reso-
lutte face grew sad and tender. She
Is never absent from my mind! ! see
her night and day, ay! ! can feel her
soft arms clinging round my neck, -
why dost thoG ask so strange a uues-
ton, little one? Is 1t possible to forget
what has been once loved?"
Thelma was silent for many minutes
Then she kissed her father and said
good night" He held her by The
hand and looked at her with sort OF
vague anxiety.
AIT thou well, my child?" he asked
This little hand burns like fire, and
thine eyes are too bright. surely for
sleep to visit them? Art sure that moth
ing ails thee?"
Sure, quite sure" answered the
gill with strange, dreamy smile. "a
am quite we'll, and happy"
And she turned to enter the house.
Stay" called the father Promise
me thou wilt think no more OF
Lovisa!"
Il had nearly forgotten her. she
responded. Poor thing. She cursed
me because she Is SO miserable, | sup
pose all alone and unloved; II must
be hard! Curses sometimes turn to
blessings father! Good night"
And she ascended the enc. flight OF
wooden stairs In the house to her
own bedroCm-a little three. cornered
place as clean and white as the in
terror Of a shell. Never once CHANGING
at the small mirror that seemed to in
wife her charms to reflect themselves
therein, she went to the quaint lat
tiCed window and knelt down by II,
folding her arms on the sill while she
looked far out to the Fjord. She could
see the English flag fluttering from
the mast OF the Eulalie; she could al
most hear the steady plash of the
cars welded by Erringtor and hts
friends as they rowed themselves back
to the yacht. Bright tears filled he,
eyes, and brimmed over, falling
warmly on her folded hands.
Would care II you suffered" she
whispered. "Oh, my love. - my
love,"
Then. as If afraid lest the very
winds should have heard her half
br eathed exclamation, she shut her
window in haste, and a hot blush
crimsoned her Ct eeks.
Undressing quickly, she slipped into
her little white bed and, closing her
eyes, fancied she slept, though her
sleep was but waking dream of love
In which all bright hopes reached
their utmost fulfillment, and yet were
In some strange way crossed with
shadows which she had no power to
dispense. And later on, when old
Gulomar slumbered soundly, and the
golden midnight sunshine lit up every
nook and gable Of the farmhouse with
It's lustrous glory, making Thelma's
closed lattice sparkle like carven
jewel. "a desolate figure lay prone on
the grass beneath her window, with
meagre pale face, ard wide-open wild
blue eyes upturned to the fiery bril-