Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-02-11
WlLM A Y.
BY Barry Pain.
CHAPTER XII.


ton took place that / saw WiImay for
the first time with the exception OF
that momentary glimpse In the park
since my return TO England. 1t was
at Bertha's house in the morning. !
had sent word that | was coming, and
| found them both in the morning
room. Bertha looked very young and
quite pretty, and greeted me with much
sstcrly effusiyeness. Wilmay took my
hand, and looked away from me, and
said, Edward, I'm glad 80 glad that
you have come back
As we talked | watched Wilmay.
The glimpse that had had OF her in
the park had been deceptive. DRIVING
In the fresh wind must have brought
the color to hef cheeks, and ! suppose
even II one Ii sad at heart one stu
laughs passably well in public II ones
companion says an amusing thing
Now she was very pale, and when she
was not talking or conscious that any
one was looking at her, her expression
was wistful and her eyes seemed fixed
on something far away.
"Wimay," said, are you really
quite well?'
"Oh. gutter
There Ii nothing the matter with
her" said Bertha. But she IL tired,
she has TO go about 30 much, and sec
30 many people. There are Carrones
innumeable all anxious TO inspect
her"
n she's quite well" | said, she
doesn't look it.. And unless she can
manage to look II, she shant be mar
rled ut all"
Please, do not lot us talk about me
any more" said Wilmay, II want to
know all about your opera. We've
heard 1t, of course. Evorybody's heard
1t and eyerybodys talking OF It,. But
! want TO hear the history OF 1t.
And I'm sick to death OF The opera,
! replied, 'and want to hear the
history OF your engagement"
But on that point Wilmay was alb
solutely mute, and lot Bertha answer
for her.
Al the days went ON, and saw more
of Wilmay, grew more uneasy, She
admired Sir Vincent and was fond Of
him In II way, but 1t did not strike me
that she was in love with him. Some
limes | thought | saw doubt on his
handsome iacc Sometimes even Ber-
tina herself would look q little anxious,
when she spoke Of Wilmay.
The time sped flew, 1t seemed to me,
more swiftly to catastrophe. as n moth
to lame, 1t was less than a week
before tho day fixed for the marriage
that | got II note from Wilmny ia the
afternoon.
Dear Edward We were TO have
dlned with Lady ilaraton tonight. but
Lady llhrston has been the angel to
have one OF Aor neura gic attacks poor
dear and put everything Off. We have
II nights peace Bertha aud you and
| dine together horo, and YOU play to
us afterwards. You viii, won't you?
Not oven Vincent Will be here. We are
quite alone, and we both want to see
you, DO be good TO your loving Bor-
tina and Wilmny.'
| went, OF course. When | got into
the drawing room | noticed that the
piano was no longer used like the back
yard of curiosity shop, but was al
lowed to be merely piano.
No. said Bertha, you needn't give
me the credit or the dlsercdit of It,
That's Wilmay. suppose when you've
written great operas, you expect that
Kind of homage"
II have not written great opelNs.
but | have tlrosomo and offensive
sister which sounds like Ollendurf,
but is only the gospel truth, Wilmay,
| am indebted to you. Will talk to
you. to the entire exclusion of that
elderly female ut whose house YOU
heard"
ooh, do stop cried BERTHA. You
shouldn't say things like that to amy
enc with any imagination, feel rs If
| lived In Bloomsbury and charged
extra for the boots. ! feel old, and
dishonest, and haggard.'
do YOU" | said. We'll, We realize
the truth about ourselves sooner or
later"
Very well" retorted Bertha, Il shall
ring and order MIR nerrimel's car
riage"
Mr. ncrrimer came in n cab" re
piled, and he will not 20 until he has
rad dinner anyhow Aud by the
way
Carter opened the door, guve my
arm to Wilmay, and we passed into the
dining-room. We were all three In
state of pleasant but foolish high spir-
its. Wilmay was particularly auda-
cious; her eyes were very bright, and
her color little feverish. She told MS
a beautiful story Of how she had really
composed that opera, but | had stolen
1t. and she had never exposed me in
order to save me tho pain OF know
Ing that had for my ward Il girl whose
guardian was Il thief But all through
dinner she never made the least al
fusion To her approaching marriage,
and when Bertha spoke of II Wilmay AT
once changed the subject.