Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-02-10

Very well, my lady," and Morris re-
tired without seeing anything remark
able in his mistress announcement.
Thelma drew long breath of relief as
he disappeared, and, steadying her
nerves by strong effort, passed into
her own boudoir,-the little sanctum
specially endeared to her by Philips
frequent presence there. How cosy
and comfortable home-nest it looked,
"a small fire glowed warmly in the
CRATE, and Britta whose duty it was to
keep this particular room in order, had
! lit the Tampa rosy globe supported
by a laughing cupid,-and had drawn
: the velvet curtains close at the window
to keep out the fog and chilly air
there were fragrant flowers on the
+ table,-Thelma's own favorite lounge
was drawn up to the fender in readi-
ness for her,-and opposite to it stood
| the deep, oldfashioned easy chair in
which Philip always sat. She looked
round upon all these familiar things
with dreary sense of strangeness and
desolation, and the curves of her sweet
mouth trembled a little and dropped
piteously. But her resolve was taken,
and she did not hesitate or weep. She
sat down to her desk and wrote few
brief lines to her father-this letter
she addressed and stamped ready for
posting
Then for while she remained APP
parently lost in painful musings play
ing with the pen she held, and uncer-
tain what to do. Presently she drew
sheet of note-paper towards her. and
began, "My darling boy" AS these
words appeared under her hand on the
gave way,-a low cry of intense agony
escaped from her lips and dropping the
pen, she rose and paced the room rest
lessly, one hand pressed against her
heart as though that action could still
it's rapid beatings. Once more she es-
sayed the hard task she had set herself
to fulfill-the task of bidding farewell
to the husband in whom her life was
centered Piteous, passionate words
came quickly from her overcharged
and almost breaking heart-words,
I tender, touching,-full Of love, and alb
solutely free from all reproach. Little
did she guess as she wrote that parting
letter, what desperate misery it would
cause to the receiver!-
When she had finished it, she felt
quieted-even more composed than be-
fore. She folded and sealed it--then
put it out of sight and rang for Britta.
That little maiden soon appeared, and
seemed surprised to see her mistress
still in walking costume.
Have you only just come in, Fro
ken?" she ventured to inquire.
mo, | came home some time ago."
returned Thelma gently. "But | was
talking to Lady Winsleigh in the draw
ing-room, and as I am going out again
this evening | shall not require to
change my dress. / want you to post
this letter for me, Britta."
And she held out the one addressed
to her father, Olaf Guldmar Britta
took it, but her mind still evolved the
question of her mistress's attire
! If you are going to spend the even
ing with friends" she suggested,
would it not be better to changer"
II have on velvet gown" said Thel-
ma, with rather wearied patience. 1T
is quite dressy enough for where | am
going" She paused abruptly, and
Britta looked at her inquiringly.
Are you tired, Froken Thelma?"
she asked. "Your are so pallet"
j II have slight headache" Thelma
answered. 1T is nothing,-it will soon
pass. wish you to post that letter at
once, Britta."
Very well, Froken." Britta still
.hesitated. will you be out all the
EVENING"" was her next query.
Yes"
Then perhaps you will not mind if
/ go and see Louise, and take supper
with her? She has asked me, and Mr..
Briggs"-here Britta laughed-"is
coming to see If can go. He will es-
cert me, he says!" And she laughed
! again. i,
Thelma forced herself to smile You
can go, by all means, Britta! But
thought you did not like Lady Wins
leigh's French maid?"
II don't like her much" Britta ad-
mitted-"still, she means to be kind
and agreeable, l think. "And'-here
she eyed The1ma with mysterious and
important air-"I want to ask her a
question about something very particu-
lar"
Then, go and stay as long as you
like, dear" said Thelma, a sudden inn
PULSE of affection causing her to caress
softly her little maids ruff1ed brown
curls, Il shall not be back till-till
quite late. And when you return from
the post. | shall be gone-so- good
bse."
Good bye," exclaimed Britta Won
deringly why, where are you going
One would think you were starting on
. long journey. You speak 50 strange
ly. Froken'"
DO IT, and Thelma smiled kindly.
1T is because my head aches. | sun
rose But 1t is not strange to say