Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-25


iLg-room disturbed her thoughts.
Lord Radine hurried up to Alice.
Countess" he exclaimed, how
beautiful you look tonight. could
uoL approach you before dinner, you
were so surrounded. The pale
cheeks produced by the ghost have
quite disappeared.
Ghost" repeated Count Jura, who
had strolled up to Alice also; have
you been frightened today, countess?"
Yes" Lord Radine went on; I'VE
rode over to the abbey ruins, YOU
know. this morning and as we were
about to mount the remains of the
tower, Lady Darrell turned deathly
white, uttered slight exclamation
and fed back to the air, When
taxed her with seeing a ghost she ad-
mitted such to be the case
Alice had grown pale during this
speech. She had looked up and
met the gaze of Valerie's eyes buru-
ing with their passion of hate, and
there was such resemblance at that
instant to the sinister face of Paul
Ross that she felt again the dread
that had attacked her int her ruins.
Count Jura watched her cheeks
banch. His brows were knit.
why, Lady Darrell" he ex-
claimed, "you surely don't mean to
tell me you are afraid of spirits?"
mot of spirits" Alice answered
with an imperceptible SILVER, as
Lord Radine turned to speak to a
lady close by; "but of men, Count
Jura. l am afraid"
"She has seen Paul." was Count
Juras swift thought.
Then you think this was a MANI"
he continued easily.
Il am sure of it,
The count elevated his broWs.
"Shall we go for stroll into the
hall and Conservatory" he said in
his most graceful fashion.
Alice hesitated.
She would much prefer to have
remained alone.
Somehow she disliked and feared
this man, but she could not not re-
fuse.
Roy was speaking to his mothe- as
they passed.
Lady Darrell saw the glance he
gave his wife, and the way his
brows contracted as If with pain and
yeXation.
Roy" she said aloud, softly, "she
does we'll tonight, and how beautiful
she isl"
Roy turned and grasped his
mothers hand.
Thank you. dearest" he said
hurriedly; "she is indeed most beauti-
full. Mother, l begin to think we
have judged her harshly. Recollect,
she married me thinking to save my
life"
Il do remember it," answered his
mother gently, land for the future
she shall be welcome to me as my
daughter. My pride has been against
her all this time, but tonight she
Stands revealed a lady in every sense
OF The word. and youehave no need
to blush for your wife"
Il shall seek or send to the Browns
10 make every inquiry about her
birth. l am certain she has proud
blood in her veins, mother, and does
not belong to them"
Valerie was just behind him as he
saiG this.
Discussing my Lady Alice" she
observed, with an effort to keep her
sneeriug temper down. "She has
really astonished me. What a born
actress the girl is!"
"Actress!' repeated the earl, vexed
beyond measure at the words. ut
is not acting, Valerie; it is nature"
Valerie bit her lip; her worst fears
were confirmed. She altered her
mood.
81 congratulate you" she said
softly, glancing at him with her
lustrous eyes. 1T has been a sever
test, and no one among your friends
Is more pleased at the success than
! am, Roy"
Roy's face softened.
Thank you, Valerie. 1t is like you
to be so kind. I am anxious that you
should be friends with my-my-the
countess. You are SO clever, you can
help her"
My Lady Alice does not need my
aid, Roy; but since you wish it /
will be her friend, first for your sake
aid then for hers"
The words We're spoken bravely.
None knew what an agony of pain
was living beneath that smiling ex-
terror
Lady Darrell overheard her sons
request and her face was puzzled.
ttiaeak:a oa*di TX tdor nsl:
Roy is like all men-clumsy. she
said to herself valerie will never
lie friend to his wife"
Alice, meanwhile walked away
with Count Jura. She scarcely
heard what he was saying. All the
evening her memory had gone back
with thrill to her husband and his
request. Tomorrow they were to
meet and walk together.
1t was like beautiful dream to
bnr and Sain,,eI,-