Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-29

But Thelma was already practising
her own simple surgery for his benefit,
With def. soft fingers she laid bare
the throchirg wound, washed and
dressed it carefully and skilmlly,--
and used withal such exceeding gentle
ness, that Duprex closed his eyes in
sort of rapture during the operation,
and wished it could last longer. Then
taking the glass OF wine her ta.h@
brought in obedience to her order, she
said in a tone Of mild authority
Now, :-oU will drink this Monsieur
Pierre, and you will rest quite still till
II is time to so back to the yacht; and
tomorrow you will not feel any pain. l
am sure And | do think 1t will not
be an ugly scar for long"
IF 1t is" answered Pierre, Il shall
say | received 1t In a duel! Then l
shall be great-glorious! and all the
pretty ladies will love mel"
She laughed. but looked grave
moment afterwards.
"You must never say what Is not
true" she said, 1T is wrong to de-
ceive any one,--even in a small mat
ter"
Duprez gazed UP at her wonderingly,
feeling very much like a chidden child.
Never say what Is not true," he
thought, Mon Dieu! what would be-
come of my life?"'
1t was a new suggestion, and he re-
flected upon 1t with establishment. 1t
opened such wide vista OF immpossi-
bilities to his mind.
Meanwhile old Guldmar was engaged
In pouring out wine for the other
young men, talking all the time.
II tell thee, Thelma mine" he said
seriously, something must be very
wrong with our Sigurd. The poor lad
has always been gentle and tractable,
but today he was like some wild anil
NAL for mischief and hardhood.
grieye to see 1t! fear the time may
come when he may no longer be a
safe servant for thee, child"
ooh, father!"-and the girls voice
was full OF tender anxiety surely
not! He Is too fond of us to do us
any harn-he is so doclle and atfec-
tionate!"
Maybe. maybe!" and the old farmer
shook his head doubtfully. But
when the wits are away the brain Ia
like a ship without ballast-there Is
no safe sailing possible He would
not mean any harm, perhaps,-an yet
In his wild moods he might do 1t, and
be sorry for 1t directly afterwards. IT'S
little use to cry when the mischief Is
done,-I confess do not like his pres
ent humor."
"By-the-by," observed Lorimer,
that reminds me! Sigurd has taken
an uncommonly strong aversion to
hill It's curious, but It's II fact.
Perhaps it is that which upsets his
nerves."
II have noticed 1t myself" said Err
rington, land Pm sorry for It, for I've
done him no harm that | can remem-
Der. He certainly asked me to go away
from the Ahenfjord, and refused. -
I'd no idea he had any serious meaning
in his request. But it's evident he
can't endure my company"
"Ah. then" said Thelmn simply
and sorrowfully. "ho must be very ILL.,
because it is natural for every one 10
like you"
She spoke III perfect good faith and
iIl.tcence of heart; but Erringtons
ey ea flashed and he s1nifett-one Of
those rare. tender smiles Of his which
frightened his whole visage.
You are very kind to say SO, Miss
Guldmar!"
1T is not kindness; 1t Is the truth"
she replied frankly.
At that moment very rosy face and
two sparkling eyes peered In at the
door.
Eyes, Britta!" Thelma smiled; I'VE
are quite ready" ..-..
Whereupon the face disappeared, and
Olaf Guldmar led the way into tn,
kitchen, which was at the same time
the diniEgroom, and where substan-
tial supper was spread on the polished
pine table.
The farmers great armchair was
brought in for Duprez, who though he
declared he waG being spoilt by too
much attention, seemed to enjoy II i'm
meDsely, - and they were all. including
Britta, soon clustered round the
hospitable board whtroon ANTIQUE and
silver and quaint glasses OF foreign
make sparkled bravely their effect
enhanced by the snowy Wilderness Of
the homespun table linen.
A few minutes set them all talking
gaily. Macfarlane WED with the ever
gallant nuprez In making a few COM
pliments to Brltta, who was pretty
and engaging CROUCH to merit atten-
ton, and who, after all, wIs something
more than a mere servant, possessing,
as she did, a great deal OF her young
mistress affection and confidence and
being always treated by Guldmar him.
self as one Of the family. There was
no reserve or coldness In the party,
ard the hum OF their merry voices
echoed up to the cross-rafterS Of the
stout wooden ceiling and through the
( zen door and window, from whence