Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-07-28


those golden-brown eyes.
Il accept with pleasure" she re-
piled quietly. Pray convey my
thanks to Lady Darrell. At what
hour does she diner"
Valerie drew herself up and
frowned. She had come to torment
and trouble this low-born girl, and
now found herself treated with al
most as much hauteur and indiffer-
ence as she herself could assume
Where did this girl get her manners
and ways Of speech? queried Valerie
angrily. She was no common crea-
ture, but bore herself with grace
and ease that might we'll have be-
come queen.
There will be guests" she OBJ
served coldly, smoothing an imaginary
wrinkle In her glove, "and you will
pardon me, perhaps, but Lady Darrell
Is very particular about ones gar
ments, 80 II l."
Thank you," answered the young
countess quietly; II have my maid,
Davis; she will Assist me. | could
not Think OF giving you so much
trouble on my behalf"
Valerie's brows met again. 1t was
the first time Alice had shown her
spirit Of determination, and Miss
Ross resented 1t now most bitterly.
Hitherto she had looked on Alice
as plaything, an object on which
she could pour out the overllowlng
bitterness OF her heart; but now she
saw before her woman, as beauti-
full as herself, and every whit as
proud.
"As you like" she observed in
differently. 81 thought might
have been able to give you some
hints. The dinner hour Is eight. 1t
Is usually half-past seven, but Lady
Darrell has It later tonight, on ac-
count of the earl's arrival. ! forget
what train he Is to come by; but of
course he wrote to tell you"
Alices right hand grasped chair
for support; mist clouded her eyes.
One thought was alone in her mind
the earl was coming earl, her
husband All else was forgotten;
Valerie, her stings, the long lonely
months-all but the one thought, she
should see once more that handsome
face, hear that manly voice, clasp
that strong hand.
A Joy seemed to come to her so
swift and sudden that It illumined her
countenance as with glorious sun
shine.
Valerie saw the transient CLEAN
and her heart grew still more bitter
towards the girl-btter, and then
triumphant, for In that glance she
had read Alice's secret, the secret
that Alice herself as yet did not
compherend. that Roy Darrell's low
born wife truly loved him.
"He has not written to you?' she
broke In. "Ah, that was remiss.
thought he would have arranged to
dine with you instead of his mother
But | expect he forgot all about
that-at least, he said nothing touch
Ing 1t In the letter received from
him this morning"
Alice's joy died as suddenly as II
had been born. She flinched as though
blow had been struck her, but sale
nothing, and Valerie walked airil,
from the room, feeling that she had
triumphed easily.
Left alone, Alice flung herself dowr
by the chair and buried her face In
her hands.
Forget mel" she whispered. Yes
that is what she says, and she Is
right, lie can do nothing but hat,
me, And oh what shame is OF
me! cannot help him. / must re
main for ever burden and tie.
she rose and paced the room.
How cruel she Isl What shall
do? If | remain away she will
triumph. and II go; but | mus
CO." She stood silent, her arm,
crossed over her breast struggl,
was tearing her young heart. Il wi
SO. l must be brave; better he,
singing words than her contempt
II she thinks me afraid, she will taun
me forever with 1t, and that woulC
XIII me, No; will must do 1t
whatever happens"
She rang the bell and Davis ap
peared.
Light the candles In my room, and
unpack those dresses that came tn,
other day from London. dine with
the earl and his mother tonight, anC
must look we'll"
The maid bowed and left the room
with n mind full OF wonder and ad
miration. Never had she seen tn,
young countess seem so beautiful
yet she was changed.
There was something different
something that told she had passet
from 4 girl into woman. that If,
had begun with all It's storms anC
Joys, its trials and happiness.
II
In the Dowager Lady DARRELL.
apartment the waXen lights glim
mered In profusion from their sllve,
stands, and she'd soft radiance from
beneath their silken shades
Valerie was alone. She wa.