Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-09-16
Continued.

sprang to her side and kissed her with
girlish and unaffected enthusiasm.
My dear, my deai You are more
lovely and sweet than anybody In the
world" she cried And | am sure
Sir Philip thinks 30 tool"
A beautiful rogeatc flush suffused
Thelma's cheeks, and she smiled.
Eyes, | know he does!" she replied
softly. And after all, 1t does not
matter what one wears"
Britta was meditating,-she looked
lovingly at her mistress's ripping
wealth VI hair.
"DInmonds!" she murmured to her.
self In sort Of satisfied soIiloquy
Diamonds, like those you have on
your finger, Fr0ken, diamonds all
scattered among your curls like dew
drops! And white satin, all shining
shining!--people would take you for
an angel"
Thelma laughed merrlly. "Brltta
Britta! You are talking such non
sense! Nobody dresses 30 grandly ex-
cept queens in fairy-tales"
"Do they not?" and the wise Britta
looked more profound than ever.
"Well, we shall see, dear Froken--We
shall see!"
"We?" querled Thelma with sur
prised emphasis.
Her little maid blushed wildly, and
looked down demurely, twisting and
untwisting the string Of her apron
yes Fr6ken," she said in low
tone. Il have asked Sir Philip to let
me go with you when you leave Nor
way"
"Britta!" Thelmas establishment
was too great for more than this ex-
clamation.
"Oh, my dear! don't be angry with
mel" implored Britta, with sparkling
eyes, rosy checks, and excited tongue
all pleading eloquently together, II
should die here without you! ] told
the bondo so; | did, indeed! And then
| went to Sir Philippine Is such n
grand gentleman, SO proud and yet 80
kind, and asked him to let me still
be your servant, ! said | knew all
great HlulGb httu u diii ~ l Woo
not clever enough could learn, and 20
and" here Britta began to sob, 81
said did not want any wages only to
live In u little corner of the same
house where you were, to sew for you,
and SEQ you, and hear your voice some
times" Here the poor little maiden
broke down altogether and hid her
face In her apron crying bitterly,
The tears were In Thclma's eyes too
and she FASTENED to put her arm round
Brittas waist, and tried to soothe her
by every loving word she could
think Of,
FLUSH, Britta dear! you must not
cry she said tonderly. What did
Philip say2"
"lle said jerked out Brltta conyul-
sirely. that | was a ggood little
g-glrl, and that he was gglad
wanted to g-go!" Here her two
sparkling wet eyes peeped out Of the
apron jnqulringly, and seeing nothing
but the sweetest affection on Thelma' Il
attentive face, she went on more
steadily. "IIo p-pinchod my check
and he aughed--and he said he woul(
rather have me for your maid than
anybody-.there!"
And this last exclamation was ut
tered with 80 much defiance that she
dashed away the apron altogether, and
stood erect in lf-congratulatory
glory, with particularly red little
nose and very trembling lips. Thelma
smiled, and cnressed the tumbet
brown curls.
Il am very glad, Brittal" she said
earnestly. Nothing could have
pleased mo more! must thank Philip
But 1t is of father am thinking what
will father and Sigurd do?"
"Oh, that Ia all settled Froken,
said Biitta, recovering herself rapidly
from her outburst The honde means
to go for one of his long voyages In the
Valkyrie 1t Is time she was used
again, I'm sure, and Sigurd will "a
with him. II will do them both good
and the tongues of Bosekop can wag
gle as much rs they please, none of u'
will be here to mind them!
And you will escape your grand
mother!" said Thelma amusedly. us
she once more set her spinning wheel
in motion,
Britta laughed delightedly, Yes,
she will not find her way to Englant
without some TROUBLED" she exclaimed
"Oh, how happy shall be!' Ant
you'-she looked pleadingly at her
mistress you do not dislike me for
your servant?"
"Dislike!" and Thelma gave her 4
glance of mingled reproach and tender
ness. You know how fond am OF
you, Britta! 1t will be like having n
little bit of my old home always with
me-"
Silently Brtta kissed her hand, and
then resumed her work. The monot.
onous murmur OF the two wheels re-
commenced this time pleasantly nc,
companied by the ripping chatter OF
the two girls, who, after the fashion OF
girls all the world over, INDUCED In
many speculations as TO the new and