Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-18
; WomanAgainstW Woman
&BY&
MRS. M. A. HOLMES.
.%BY1
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.

"udL Was NdIelIe UIOLueT uOlnS
in the abbey ruins? Why was he Turk
ing in dark corners?
1t was problem too difficult for the
! young girl to solve. She stood before
J her dressing-table and read the
cards Frank Meredith had given her,
mentally determining to keep them
safe, for once again the strange SEN
sation came over her that she might
need him.
Then his offer OF friendship, sudden
and unorthodox as it was, had been
like a ray Of sunshine on her dark
life.
She was so terribly alone-no kins-
men near to hold out their hands to
ner, wife hated by her husband, a
girl loathed by her husbands love,
Valerie Ross.
She took off her habit, and putting
on flowing gown of soft, white
material, sat down by her fire to rest
and think, holding the cards in her
hand.
Her head ached with the multitude
Of sorrows and vague troubles she had
to bear; so, taking out the pins, she
let the great masses of golden hair
slip from their knots and fall in
i glorious waves over her shoulders
almost to her feet.
She was trying to make some plans
for her future. She was SO young
as yet only eighteen years had passed
ever her head, but she was brave.
She saw what her lot must be in
! this great castle-a countess, yet an
outcast; and she determined to leave
it to seek the world, to be lost to
Roy Darrell forever and thus free
him from his hateful bondage. She
, had no one to whom she could 60
Farmer Brown and his wife had left
England for America, sent by the
earl's gold, and Alice had known no
other family but them.
But despite the difficulties she was
determined that life in garnet
would be better than this state Of
gilded contempt and ill-disguised
hatred.
While she was musing she heard
steps come along the corridor and
pause at the door of her boudoir
She took no notice of them, deem
ing 1t to be her maid. In another
moment there was tap on the bed
room door, and in answer to her
summons the handle was turned, and
someone came in.
rs that you, Davis?' said Alice,
YEARLY waking from her miserable
thoughts. 81 do not want you.
shall not dress tonight. l am too
tired"
There was strange silence; then
rising, and looking round, Alice per-
ceived mans form before her-the
man Of whom she had been thinking
her husband, the earl.
She blushed. and uttered slight
exclamation; while she slipped the
cards unconsciously into her pocket.
Roy was gazing at her In speech
less admiration, even though his
heart was bitter towards her. Never
had he seen more lovely vision
than the shrinking, girlish form in
the white gown and cloud of golden
| hair.
Il must ap.ligize," he said hastily,
breaking the silence, "tor my intru-
sion, but l wished to speak to you
very particularly"
Yes answered Alice, growing
more composed and calling her pride
to her help.
Il found on my return from our
ride that the people around have de-
termined to present an address of
cCadolence and congratulation to me
tonight My mother, in my absence,
took upon herself the duties Of the
countess, and organized at once
large dinner, to which the principal
people will be invited. 1t was nece5-
sary to do so. but she entrusted me
with her apologies to you for taking
your duties on her responsibility, as
| present them to you now"
Alice's head dropped To her SEN
sitive ear this speech ran with bitter
sarcasm. She answered very !ow and
coldly, after a moments pause:
Lady Darrell need not have offered
me any apology. She must know
how much she IS in this house. and
how little | am"
Roy interrupted her angrily:
DO you wish me to send my
mother away that you say such
th!ngs@"
Send your mother away" re-
peated Alice quickly. You misun-
dersta0d me- quite. If anyone leaves
the castle it should be |.
You are my wife, the earl said
frigidly, thinking in his heart that
Alice was about to reproach him;
do not forget that"
Il do not" the girl replied proudly
and coldly. Have you any
thing further you wish to say?"
Only that desire you to be pres
eot at this dinner You must now
take upon yourself the duties OF the
Countess Of Darrell. This dinner is
the beginning. Many of the people.
dare say, you may have seen
wien" he stopped and bit his lip
1