Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-02-03

bGOlu I'LL AUi iCdNiu6 hio OAiu W LlOpe
in her London cage!"
81 do not NOPE" declared Thelma.
"And you must not scold him, please!
Poor boy! He is working so very
hard, and has so much to attend to.
He wants to distinguish himself for
for my sake!"
THAT looks very much as II he were
tired Of you!" laughed Mrs. Lorimer.
Though I dare say you'd like him to
stay ut home and make love to you all
day! Silly girl! You want the world
to be sort Of Acadia, with you as
Phyllis, and Sir Philip as Corydon!
My dear, we're living in the nineteenth
century, and the days Of fond shep-
herds and languishing shepherdesses
are past!"
Thelma laughed too, and felt soon
ashamed Of her depression. The figure
Of Violet We're now and then danced
before her like hooking will-o'-the-
wisp-but her pride forbade her to
mention this,-the actual source of all
her vague troubles.
She left Mrs Lorimer's house, which
was near Holland Park, about four
o'clock, and as she was passing Church
Street, Kensington, she babe her
coachman drive up to the Carmelite
Church there, Familiarity known as the
CAIRNS" She entered the sacred edi-
fee, where the service of Benediction
was In progress; and, kneeling down,
she listened to the exquisite strains of
the solemn music that pleaded through
those dim and shadowy aisles, and a
sense Of the most perfect peace settled
soothingly on her soul Clasping her
gentle hands, she prayed with innocent
and heartfelt earnestness -not for her.
self,-never for herself, always,
always for that dear, most dear one,
for whom every beat Of her true heart
was a fresh VOW OF undying and de-
voted affection.
Dear Cod" she whispered, "if
love him too much, forgive me! Thou
who art all Love. wilt pardon me this
excess of love! Bless my darling al
worthy OF Thy goodness and his ten
derness!"
And when she left the church, she
was happier and more light-hearted
than she had been for many long
day. She drove home, needless of the
fog and cold, dismal aspect of the
weather, and resolved to go and visit
Lady Winsleigh in the evening, so that
when Philip came back on the NOR
row, she might be able to tell him that
she had amused herself, and had not
been lonely.
But when she arrived at her own
door, Morris, who opened 1t, informed
her that Lady Winsleigh was waiting
in the drawing-room to see her, and
had been waiting some time. Thelma
FASTENED thither Immediately, and held
out her hands joyously to her friend.
Il am so sorry you have had to wait,
send word and say you were coming?
Philip Is away and will not be back to-
night, and | have been lunching with
Mrs. Lorimer, and-why, what makes
you look 30 grave?"
Lady Winsleigh regarded her tixedly.
How radiantly lovely the young wife
looked! her cheeks had never been so
delicately rosy, or her eyes more bril-
liant The dark fur cloak she wore
with its rich sable trimmings, and the
little black velvet toque that rested on
her fair curls, set off the beauty of her
clear skin to perfection, and her rival,
who stood gazing at her with such
close scrutiny, envied her more than
ever us she was once again reluctantly
forced to admit to herself the match
less loyeliness Of the innocent creature
whose happiness she now sought to
destroy.
"Do look grave, Thelma?" she said
with a slight smile. well, perhaps
We reason for my gravity. And so
your husband is away?"
Eyes. He went quite early this
morning,-a telegram summoned him
and he was obliged to go" Here she
drew up chair to the fire, and began
to loosen her wraps. "Sit down, Clara!
| will ring for tea"
M, don't ring" said Lady Wins
leigh. mot yet! want to talk to
you privately" She sank languidly on
u velvet lounge and looked Thelma
straight in the eyes.
Dear Thelma," she continued in
sweetly tremulous, compassionate
voice. Can you bear to hear some
thing very painful and schocking,
that I'm afraid will grieve
you very much?"
Tho color fled from the girls fair
face-her eyes grew startled.
What do you mean, Clara? Is 1t
about--about PHILIPPE"
Lady Winsleigh bent her head In as
sent, but remained silent.
"lf." continued Thelma, with Il little
return of the rosy hue to her cheeks,
IF It Is something else about that
that person at the theatre, indeed,
Clara. would rather not hear It! I
think have been wrong in listening to