Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-17

strangely silent and deserted. Inc
afternoon heat was SO great that thc
scpg-birds were hushed and In hidint
under the cool green leaves, the clam
herring rose round the porch HUNG
down their bright heads for sheer
faintness, the only sounds to be
heard were the subdued coo-cooing OF
the doves on the roof, and the soft
trickling rush of a little mountain
stream that flowed through tht
grounds. Somewhat surprised, though
not abashed, little evident "not-at
home" look of the farmhouse, Mr.
Dyceworthy raped loudly at the rough
oaken door with his knuckles, there
being no such modern convenience
as a bell or a knocker. He waited
some time before he was answered
repeating his summons violently al
frequent intervals, and swearing
irreligiously under his breath as he
did so. But at last the door was tiunc
sharply open, and the tangled-haired
rosy-cheeked Britta confronted him
with an aspect which was by no means
encouraging or polite. Her round
blue eyes sparkled sauc!ly, and she
placed her bare, plump, red arms, wet
with recent soapsuds, akimbo on her
sturdy little hips. with an air that was
decidedly impertinent
well, what do you want?" she de-
manded with rude abruptness.
| raplT1n1
speechess dignity. Vou"hsafing no
reply he attempted to pass her and
enter the house. But Britta settled her
arms more defantly than ever and her
voice had a sharper ring as she said:
It's no use your coming in! There's
no one here but me, The master has
zone out for the day
young woman" returned Mr.. Dyce-
worthy with polite severity, 81 regret
to see that your manners STAND in
sore need Of Improvement. Your mas
e. IS absence is Of no Importance to
me- 1t is with the Froken Thelma !
desire to speak"
Britta laughed and tossed her rough
Mischievous dimples came and went at
the corners of her mouth-indication
Of suppressed Fan.
"The Froken is out too" she said
demurely. ITS time she had little
amusement; and the gentleman treat
her as IL she were a queen!"
Mr.. Dyceworthy started, and his red
yisage became trihe paler.
Gentlemen What gentlemen" he
demanded with some impatience.
I'ritta's inward delight evidently IN
crossed
"rhe gentlemen from the yacht, of
COURSE" she said. What other gentle
men are there?" This with a con-
tcmptuous up-and-do sort of look at
the Lutheran minister's portly form.
Sir Philip Errington was here with
hi" friend yesterday evening and stay
ed long time, today fine boat
with four oars came to fetch the mag
ter and Froken Thelma, and they are
all gone for a sail to the Kaa Fjord
or some other place near here-I can
not remember the name. And | am
so glad" went on Britta, clasping her
plump hands in ecstacy. "'They are
the gIandest, handsomest Herren |
have ever seen, and one can tell they
think wonders of the Froken nothing
Is too good fol her!"
Mr.. Dyceworthy's face was the pic
ture of disnay This was a new turn
to the course of events, and one, more
over, that he had never once con-
templated Britta watched him anus
edly.
will you leave any message for
them when they return?" she asked
NO" said the minister obviously.
"Yet, stay; yes! | will! Tell the Fro
ken that have found something
which belongs to her. and that when
she wishes to have It. | will myself
bring It,"
Britta looked cross. IF it is hers
you have no business to keep It," she
said brusquely. why not leave it,
whatever it is.-wth me-"
Mr.. Dyceworthy regarded her with
a bland and lofty air.
II trust no concerns of mine or
hers to the keeping of a paid domes-
tic" he said, "A domestic, moreover,
who deserts the ways of her own peo-
pie, who hath dealings with the
dvellers in darkness, who even
bringeth herself to forget much of her
own native tongue, and who devoteth
herself to"
What he would have said was I'M
certain, as at that moment he was
nearly thrown down by something
that slipped agilely between his legs
p'nching each fat calf rs it passed-a
something that hooked like ball,
but proved to be human creature
no other than the crazy Sigurd, who,
after accomplishing his uncouth gam
Dol successfully, stood up shaking
back his streaming fair locks and
laughing wildly.
"Ila. ha! he exclaimed. That was
good; that was clever. II had upset
YOU now. you would have said your