Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-19

There's a compliment for you
mil" cried Lorimer, waving his torch
enthusiastically. Let us awaken tho
eruces with the shout of Long live
the King!
But Burlington approached Thelma,
and taking her hand in his, said
! gently
! Come! let me see you throned in
state, Queen Thelma! TO please me,
comet"
She looked up--the flame of the
bright torch he carried illumlned his
face, on which love had written what
she could not fail to read--but she
trembled a8 with cold, and there was
kind Of appealing wonder in her
troubled eyes. He drew closer and
pl essed her hand more tightly; again
he whispered, Come, Queen Thclma! !"
AS in a dream, she allowed him to
lead her to the chair, and when she
was seated therein, she endeavored TO
control the rapid beating OF her heart
and to smile unconcernedly on the
little group that surrounded her with
shouts of mingled mirth and admira-
ton.
aye lust look fne!" said Macfarlane
with undisguised delight. "Ye'd max
grand picture, wouldn't she Erring-
ton"
Philip gazed at her, but said moth
ing-his heart was too full. Sitting
there among the glittering, intertwist-
ed and suspended rocks-with the
blaze from the torches flashing on her
winsome face and luxuriant halr-Wlth
that half-troubed, half-happy look iD
her eyes, and an uncertain shadow
smile auivering on her sweet lips, the
girl looked almost dangerously lovely
Helen of Troy could scarce nave
! fired more passionate emotion among
the old-world heroes than she uncon-
sciously excited at that moment in the
minds of all who beheld her. DupreA
or once understood what 1t was to
reverence a woman's beauty, and de-
c'ded that the fiippant language OF
CO mpliment was out Of place-he
therefore, said nothing, and Lorimer,
too, was silent, battling bravely
against wild desires that were now, in
his opinion, nothing but disloyalty to
his friend. Old Guldmar's hearty voice
aroused and startled them all.
Now Thelma, child! II thou art
n queen, give orders to these lads to
be moving! ''ris damp place to hold
court in, and thy throne must needs
be cold one. Let us out to the sun
shine again-maybe we can climb one
OF yon wild rocks and get view
worth SEEING"
"All right, sir!" said Lorimer, chiV-
Ialrously resolving that now Errington
should have chance. Come on,
Mac! Allons marchons-Pierre! Mr..
Guldmar exacts our obedience! Phil,
you take care Of the queen!"
And skillfully pushing on Duprez
and Macfarlane before him, he fol
lowed Gudmar, who preceded them
all-thus leaving his friend in mo-
mentary comparative solitude with
Thelma. The girl was little startled
as she saw theI thus taking their ue-
parture, and sprang up from her
stalactite throne in haste. Sir Philip
had laid asi le his torch in order to
assist j n with both hands to descend
the sloping rocks, hut her embarrass-
ment at oelrg l"it almost alone with
him made he" nervous and uncertain
of foot--she was fc.riel and agitated
and anxious to overtakc the others,
and In trying to Nalk quickly she
slipped and nearly fell. IN one second
she was caught In his arirs and clasped
passionately to his heart
'"rhelma. Thelma!" he whispered,
II love you, my darling love you!
She trembed in his strong embrace,
and strove to release herself, but he
pr essed her more closely to him,
scarcely knowing that he did so, but
feeling that he held the world, life,
me, happiness, and salvation in this
ono fair creature. His brain was in
q whirl-the glitter of the stalactte
cave turned to gyrating wheel of
j Network there was nothing any
moreno universe. no existence
nothing but love, love, love, beating
strong hammer-strokes through every
fibre of his frame. He glanced up,
end saw the slowly retreating forms
of his friends had nearly reached the
cutter opening OF the cavern. Once
there. they would look back and
Quick Thelma!" and his warm
breath touched her cheek. my dar-
ling! my love; II you are not angry
kiss me! | shall understand.
she hositated. To Philip that in
tant of hesitation seemed cycle Of
slew revolving years. Timidly she
| fitted her head. She was very pale
and her breath came and went quick
Ily He gn2ed ut her in speechless sus-
Ipenso and saw as In vision the
pure radiance OF her face and star
like eyes shiling more and more close
! ly upon him. Then came a touch--soft
end sweet rs u roseleaf pressed against
his lips and for one mad moment he
emembered nothing--he was caught
Iup like HOmprs Paris In a cloud of