Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-12-09

regular nincompoop! He must have
his amusements as well as other peo'
ple. / believe you want him to be likt
a baby, tied to your apron-string'
You'll find that an awful mistake
he'll get tired to death OF you. SWEEP
little Griselda though you are"
! Thelma's face grew very pale, ano
her hand closed more tightly on the
fan she held.
"You have said that so very. very
often lately, Clara" she murmured
you seem 80 sure that he Will get
tired-that all men get tired. / do not
think you know Philippe Is not like
any other person have ever met And
why should he 90 behind the scenes
to such person as Violet Vere-'
At that moment the box-door opened
with a sharp click, and Errington en-
tered alone. He looked disturbed and
anxious.
Neville is not well" he said abrupt
ly, addressing his wife. i've sent
him home. He wouldn't have been
able to sit this thing out" And he
! glanced half angrily towards the stage
the curtain had just gone up again
and displayed the wondrous Violet
We're still In her "humming-bird'
character, swinging on the branch OF
tree and (after the example OF all
humming- BIRDS smoking cigar with
brazen-faced tranquility.
II am sorry he Is ILL.," said Thelma
!! gently. "That Is why you were so
long away?"
WAS / long?" returned Philip some
what absently. II didn't know It,
went to ask question behind ne
scenes"
Lady Winsleigh coughed and glanced
at Thelma, whose eyes dropped In
stantly.
IL suppose you saw Violet Vere?"
asked Clara.
Eyes, I saw her" he replied briefly.
He seemed irritable and vexed-more-
over, decidedly impatient. Presently
he said
Lady Winsleigh, would you mind
! very much II we left this place and
went home? Pm rather anxious about
Neville--he's had shock. Thelma
doesn't care bit about this place, |
know, and II you are not very much
absorbed"
Lady Winslelgh rose instantly, with
her usual ready grace.
my dear Sir Philip" she said sweet
ly. "As II i would not do anything to
oblige you! Let us go by all means!
These burlesques are extremely ia
tlguing"
| He seemed relieved by her acqul-
essence and smiled that rare sweet
smile Of his, which had once played
such havoc with her ladyship's sensi-
tive feelings. They left the theater,
and were soon on their way home,
though Thelma was rather silent dur
Ing the drive. They dropped Lady
Winsleigh at her own door, and after
they had hidden her cordial good
night, and were going on again to-
wards home, Philip, turning towards
his wife, and catching sight Of her face
by the light Of u street lamp, was
struck by her extreme paleness and
weary look.
fear?" he inquired, tenderly encircnng
her with one arm. Lean your head
on my shoulder-so!
She obeyed, and her hand trembled
little as he took and held 1t in his
own warm, strong clasp,
I'VE shall soon be home" he added
cheerlly. And think we must have
no More theater-golng this season.
The heat and noise and glare are too
much for YOU"
"philip," said Thelma suddenly.
"Did you really SO behind the scenes
tonight"
yes, did" he answered readily. Il
was obliged to so on matter of bust
ness--a very dsagreeable and unpleas-
ant matter too"
And what was ?" she asked timid-
ly yet hopefully
My pet, can't tell you! wish
could! It's n secret I'm bound not to
betray--a secret which involves .Ae
name OF another person who'd be
wretched II | were to mention 1t to
you. There, don't let us talk about
It any more!"
Very we'll, Philip" said Thelma re-
signedly ,---but though she smiled, a
sudden presentlment OF evil depressed
her. The figure of the w. II, half
clothed painted creature known as
Violet We're rose up mockinGly before
her eyes, and the half-scornful, half
testing words OF Lady Winsleigh rang
persistently In her ears.
On reaching home, Philip went
straight to Nevilles little study ana
remained with him in earnest CONVEX
sation for a long time--while Thelma
went to bed. and lay restless among
her pillows, puzsling her brain with
strange forebodings and new and per-
picking ideas, till fatigue overpowered
her. and she fell asleep with few
toar-drops wet on her lashes. And
that night Philip wondered why his
sweet wife ta.Aeu so plaintively In her
sleep, though he smiled as he listened
to the drift of those dove-like muir
murings.
mo one knows how my boy loves
me-" sighed the dreaming voice. NC
one in all the worla How should he
tire? Love can never tire!"
Meanwhile Lady Winsleigh in the
seeluson OF her own boudor. pcnned
brief note to Sir Francis Lennox as
follows
Dear old Lennie.
81 saw you in the stalls at the
theater this evening, though you pre-
tended not to see me. What tickle
| ynn npnt not that I ,,,inl L.,