Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-12-02

has anything vexed or grieved you to-
day."
Thelma started nervously. "Vexed
me?" she repeated. mo. Britta-why
90 you ask"
You look very tired, dear Froken,"
continued Britta gently. You are not
as bright as you were when we first
came to London"
| 1hema's lips quivered. II am not
well, Britta," she murmured, and sud
denly her self-control gave way, and
she broke into tears. In an instant
Britta was kneeling by her, coaxing
and caress. ng her, and calling her by
every endearing name she could
think of, while she wisely forbore
| from asking any more questions.
Presently her sobs grew calmer,-s
rested her fair head against Britta's
shoulder and smiled family. At that
moment a light tap was heard out
side, and voice called
| "lhelma Are you there?"
Britta opened the door, and Sir
| lIIlD CuCCl GU Aul liSulJ tthd
but stopped short to survey his wife
in dlsmay.
why, my darling!" he exclaimed.
distressfully. Have you been crying?"
Here the discreet Britta retired.
Thelma sprang to her husband and
nestled in his arms.
philip, do not mind it," she muir
INJURED. IL felt little sad-it is moth
ing! But tell me-you do love me?
You will never tire OF me? You have
always loved me, | am sure?"
He raised her face gently with one
hand, and looked at her in surprise.
"rhelma-what strange questions
from you! Love you? Is not every beat
OF my heart fer you? Are you not my
life, my joy-my everything in this
world?" And he pressed her passion
ately in his arms and kissed her.
You have Lever love any one else
so much?" she whispered, half
abashed.
"Never!" he answered readily.
What makes you ask such a thing?"
She was silent. He looked down at
her flushing cheeks and tear-wet
lashes uttentively.
You are fanciful today, my pet"
he said at last. you've been firing
yourself too much. You must rest
You'd better not go to the Brilliant
Theatre tonight-it's only a burlesque,
and is sure to be vulgar and noisy.
Well stop at home and spend quiet
evening together shall We"
She raised her eyes half wistfully
and smiled. Il should like that very
much, Philip" she murmured; but
you know we did promise Clara to go
with her tonight. And as we are so
soon to leave London and return to
Warwickshire, | should not like to
disappont her.
You are very fond OF Clara?" he
asked suddenly.
"Very!" She paused and sighed
slightly She is so kind and clever
and she knows many things about the
world which | do not. And she ad
mires you so much, Phillip
Does she indeed?" Philip laughed
and colored a little. Very good of
her, Pm sure! And so you'd really
like to go to the Brilliant tonight?"
Il think 3d. she said hesitatingly.
Clara says it will be very amusing.
And you must remember how much
| enjoyed Faust and Hamlet.
| Burlington smiled. You'll find the
Brilliant performance very different to
either" he said amusedly. "YCu don't
know what burlesque Is like!"
| Then | must be instructed" re-
Piled TheIma, smiling also, IL need to
learn many things. | aul very ignor-
anti"
Ignorant" and he swept aside
with q caressing touch the clustering
hair from her broad, noble brow. my
darling, you possess the greatest wis
dem of innocence. | would lot change
it for all the learning OF the sagest
philosophers.
You really mean that?" she asked
half ttmidly. ..
| Il really mean that" he answered
fcrdly Little scepic! AS il would
ever say anything to you that | did
not mear | shall be glad when we're
out of London and back ut the Manor
then | shall have you all to myself
again--for Il time, at least"
She raised her eyes full OF sudden
joy, all traces of her former de-
preston had disappeared.
10 be Continued