Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-20

| or, Most happy-aw charmed TO meet
your" No; these remarks, deemed in
! telligent by the lady rulers OF London
! drawing-rooms, would, they felt, never
do here. AS well put a gentleman in
modern evening dress en- face with i
half-nude scornfully beautiful. statue OF
Apollo, as trot out threadbare, insincere
commonplace in the hearing OF this
clear-eyed child of nature, whose pure,
perfect face seemed 10 silently repel
the very passing shadow OF a false
hood.
Philips brain whirled round and
about in search OF some suitable r,Niy
but could find none, and Lorimer felt
i nself bluShing like schoolboy, as
lie stammered out something incoherent
and eminently foolish, though he had
sense enough left TO appreciate the
pressure of those lovely hands as long
as il lasted.
Thelma, however, appeared not to
notice their deep embarrassment she
had not yet iole VIII tn II. t.lrs the
largest goblet on the table, she filed
it to the brim with wine, and touched
! it with her lips-then with smile in
which thousand radiating sunbeams
seemed to CULVER and sparkle, she lifted
it towards Errington. The grace OF her
attitude and action Weakened him out
of his state of dreamy hewilderment-
in his soul he devuutly blessed these
! ancient family customs, and arose to
the occasion like man. ClaSping
with a tender reverence the hands that
upheld the goblet, he bent his hand
some head and drank deep draught.
while his dark curls almost touched her
fair ones-and then an insane jealousy
possessed him for moment. as he
watched her so through the same cere-
mony with Lorimer.
She next carried the now more than
half-emptied cup to the bonde, and
said as she held it, laughing softly
Drink it all, father'-if you leave
drop, you know these gentlemen will
quarrel with us, or YOU with them"
That is true! said Olaf Guldmar
with great gravity; but it will not be
my fault, child, nor the fault of wasted
wine ....
And he drained the glass to its dregs
and set it upside down on the table
with a deep sigh of satisfaction and
lefreshment. The ceremony concluded,
it was evident the ice of reserve was
broken, for Thelma seated herself like
young queen, and motioned her Wis
itors to do the same with a gesture OF
gracious condescension.
! How did you find your way here?"
she asked with sweet, yet direct abrupt
ness, giving Sir Philip a quick glance,
in which there was sparkle of mrth,
though her long lashes yelled it almost
instantly.
Her entire lack of stiffness and re-
serve set the young men at their ease,
and they fell into conversation freely.
Lormer skillfully avoided betraying
the fact that they had watched her
through the window, and had listened
to her singing. And Thelma heard all
the explanations patiently till Bosekop
was mentioned, and then her fair face
g ew cold and stern.
From whom did you hear of us
! there?" she inquired I'VE do not mix
with the people-why should they speak
of u.s.
The truth is" interposed Erltngton,
resting his eyes with sense Of deep
delight on the beautiful rounded figure
and lovely features that were turned
towards him, Il heard of you first from
my pilot-one Valdemar Svensen'
"Ha, han' cried old Guldmar with
some excitement, there is a fellow
who cannot hold his tongue! What
have | said 10 thee, child? A bachelor
is no better than a gossipng old
woman. He that is always alone must
talk, If it be only to woods and waves
1t is the married men who know best
how excellent it is to keep silence"
They all laughed, though Thelma's
eyes had a way Of looking pensive even
when she smiled
You would not blame poor Syensen
! because he is alone, father?" she said.
is he not to be pitied? Surely it is
cruel fate to have none TO love in
all the wide world. Nothing can be
more cIuel!'
Guldmar surveyed her humorously.
Hear herr he said. She talks az IL
she knew all about such things, and
if ever a child was ignorant OF sorrow,
surely it is my Thelma! Every flower
and bird in the place loves her. Yes;
| have thought sometimes the very sea
loves her 1t must; she is SO much
upon it. And as for her old father
and he laughed little, though sus-
picious moisture softened his keen eyes
why, he doesn't love her at all. Ask
| her! She knows IT."
Thelma rose quickly and kissed him.
How deliciously those sweet lips pouted,
thought Erringtcn, and what an I'M
reasonable md extraordinary grudge he
seemed to bear towards the venerable
bonde for accepting that kiss with SO
little apparent emotion!
Hush, father" she said. These
friends can see too plainly how much
you sroil me. Tell me.'-and she
turned with sudden pretty imperious-
ness to LoIimer, who started at her