Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-05-27
d-helrnra.
BY Marie Cvrelli.
(Continued.)

HlOLUeI was uC ptoppNa Nbf'
and a deep shadow Oh pain darkened
lis features. 1hema looked up-her
large blue ewes filled with sudden tears
and she pressed her fathers hand be-
tween her own, as though In sympathy
with some undeclared grief; then she
looked at Errington with sort OF
wlstful appeal. Philips heart leaped
as he met that soft beseeching glance,
which seemed to entreat his patience
with the old man FOR Ler sake-he
felt himself drawn into bond OF
union with her thoughts, and In his
nnermost soul he swore as knightly a
VOW of chivalry and reverence for the
fair maiden who thus took him into
her silent confidence, as though he were
some gallant Crusader OF old time,
pledged to defend his lady's honor UNI
10 death. Olaf Guldmar, after Il long
and apparently sorrowful pause, re-
sumed his conversation.
Tes," he said, "Thelma Is Catholic,
although here she has scarcely any OPP
Dortunity for performing the duties Of
her religion. II IL pretty and grace
iul crced-well fitted for women. AS
TO, me- am made of sterner stuff,
and the maxims OF that gentle creature,
Christ, find no echo in my soul But
you, young SIR" he added, turning sud
denly on Lorimer, who was engaged In
meditatlvely smoothing out on his palm
me OF the fallen rose-petals you
have not spoken. What faith do you
profess? 1t Ii no curiosity that
prompts me to ask only seek not
to offend"
Lorimer laughed languidy. Upon
my life, Mr.. Guldmar, you really ask
too much OF me. ! haven't any faith
at all; not u shred It's been all
krocked out Of me- ! tried to hold
on to last remaining bit of Christian
rope In the universal shipwreck, but
that was torn out OF my hands by
scientific professor who ought to know
what he 3 about. and-and-now ]
drift along anyhow"
Guldmar smiled obviously; but Thel-
ma looked at the speaker with as-
tonished, sregretful eyes.
II am sorry" she said simply. "You
must DO often unhappy"
Lorimer was not disconnected, though
her evident pity caused an unwonted
flush on his face.
"Oh no. a. said in answer to nCr
Il am not u miserable sort OF fellow
by any means. For Instance, I'm not
afraid of death-lots CT very religious
people are horribly afraid of 1t, though
they all the time declare it's the only
path to heaven. They're not consistent
d: all. You see | believe In nothing
| shall be nothing. That being plain,
| am all right.
Gu!dmar laughed. you are an odd
lad" he said good-humoredly. you
are In the morning Of life; there are
always mists In the morning as there
are In the evening. In the light OF
your full manhood you Will see these
things differently. Your creed Of
Nothing provides no moral law-no
nold ON the conscience no restraint on
the passions ~-don't you see that"
Lorimer smiled with very winning
and boyish candor.
You are exceedingly good sir, to
credit me with conscience! | don't
think | have one-l'm sure have no
PASSIONS. | have always been too lazy
to encourage them, and AZ for moral
law adhere to morality with the
greatest strletness, because II fellow
10 immoral, he ceases to be gentle
man. Now, as there are very few
gentlemen nowadays, | fancy I'd like
to be one as long as | can
Errington here interposed. You
mustn't take him seriously, Mr.. Guild
mar he said; hes never serious him
self. III give YOU his character In u
few words. He belongs to no religious
party It's true--but he's n first rate
.elow-the best fellow | know
Lorimer glanced at him quietly with
gratihed expression OH his face,
But ra said nothing, for Thelma was
regarding him with most bewitehing
smile.
Abr she said, shaking a reploachful
finger at him, "you do love all non
sense, that can see! You would make
every person laugh, II YOU could-is 1t
not so?"
well, yes admitted George, Il
think | would, But it's herculean
task sometimes, II you had ever been
to London, Miss Guldmar, you would
III derstand how diff ,ult 1t Is to make
people even smile-and wher hey do,
the smile Is not a very natura one"
"Why?" she exclaimed. Are they
all so miserable?"
They pretend to be, II they're not"
said Lorimer; 1T Ia the fashion there
to find fault with everything and
everybody"
That Is 30" said Guldmar thought
fully. Il visited London once and
thought l was in hell. Nothing but
VOWS OF hard, hideously built houses
long streets. and dirty alleys, and the
people had weary faces all. as though
Nature had refused to bless them. a
pitiful city-doubly pitiful to the eyes
OF man like myself, whose life has
been passed among the fjords and
nou. aims such as these Well now