Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-05
Continued.

SION. lllS passes LILY ueAioSN Va
durance! Have l not told thee again,
and again thou silly soul. that
thy grandchild is no slave? She is
free-free to return to thee an she
will; free to stay with us, where she
has found happier home than thy
miserable hut at Talvig. Britta!'
and he thumped his fist on the table.
Look up, child! Speak for thyself!
Thou hast a spirit of thine own. Here
is thy one earthly relation. Wilt go
with hel? Neither thy mistress nor
I will stand in the way of thy plea
sure
Thus adjured Britta looked up so
suddenly that Duprez,-who had rather
enjoyed the feel of her little nesting
head hidden upon his ARM
quite startled, and he YVES still more
so at the utter defiance that flashed
iLto the small maiden'G round, rosy
face.
Go with you!" she cried shril'".
addressing the old woman, who re-
manned standing in the same attitude,
with an air of perfect composure do
you think l have forgotten how you
used to beat me and starve me? You
wicked old woman! How dare you
come here? I'm ashamed of you! You
frightened my mother to death-you
know you did! and now you
want to do the same to me! But you
WON'T can tell you! Pm old enough
ID 4 10
live with you!"
Then, overcome by excitement and
temper, she burst out crying. needless
Of Pierre DupreZ's smiling mods of
approval and the admiring remarks he
was making under his breath, such as
Bravo ma petite! C'est bien fait!
c'est joliment bien dit, Mails je crois
bien!"
Lovisa seemed unmoved; she raised
her head and looked at Guldmar.
rs this your answer" she de-
manded.
bonde, 1.-The woman must be mad! My
answer? The girl has spoke for her
self,-and plainly enough too! art thou
deaf, Lovisa Elsland? or are thy wits
astray?"
MY hearing is very good" replied
LCvisa calmly, land my mind, Olaf
Guldmar, is as clear as yours. And,
thanks to your teaching in mine early
Jays, she paused and looked keenly
az him, but he appeared to see no
meaning in her allusion,-"I know the
English tongue. OF which we hear far
to much,-too often! There is nothing
Britta has said that | do not under
stand. But I know well it IS not the
girl herself that speaks--it is demon
in her,-and that demon shall be cast
forth before. ! die! Yea, with the
help of the Lord I shall" She stop
ped abruptly and fixed her eyes,
glowing with fierce wrath, on Thelma
The girl met her evil glance with n
gentle surprise. Lovisa smiled malig-
nantly.
you know me, | think" said
Lnvisa. "You have seen me before?"
often" answered Thclma mildly
Il have always been sorry for you"
old woman. "Why-why are you
sorry for me?"
do not answer her, child" inter.
fupted Guldmar angrily. "She is mao
as the winds of a wild winter, and
will but vex thee"
But Thelma laid her hand soothingly
on her fathers, and smiled peacefully
as she turned her fair face again to-
wards Lovisa.
Why" she said Because yot
seem so very lonely and sad-and that
must make you cross with every one
who is happy! And it is a pity,
think, that you do not let Britta alone
you only quarrel with each other
when you meet. And would you not
like her to think kindly of you when
you are dead?"
Lovisa seemed choking with anger.
her face worked into such hdeous
grimaces, that all present, save
Thelma, were dismayed at her repul-
sive aspect.
When | am dead" she muttered
.jarsely. so you count upon that al
ready do you? All! but do you
know which of us shall die first"
Then raising her voice with an effort
she exclaimed
Stand forth. Thelma Guldmar.
Let me see you closely-face to facet"
Errington said something in low
tone, and the bonde would have again
interfered, hut Thelma shook her head
smiled and rose from her seat at the
table.
Anything to sonthe her. poor SOUL"
she whispered, as she left Errington's
side and advanced towards Lovisa till
che was within reach of the old wo-
mans hand. She looked like some
grand white angel who had stepped
down from cathedral altar, as she
stood erect and stately with gravely
plying expression in her lovely eyes,
confronting the table-draped, withered,
!eering bag, who fyed upon her a
steady look of the most cruel and
pitiless hatred
Daughter OF Satan!" said Loyisa
then. In intense piercing tones that