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

BDe LuTeW OfeI uei SuouiuSio +" iNh
mantle gllttering with embroidered
trimmings, and poised coquettlsh
Paris model hat on her thick uptwisted
coils OF hair. Thus attired, she passed
out of her dressing room, locking the
door behind her, and after brief con-
versation with the jocose acting man
ager, whom she met on her way out,
she left the theatre, and took cab to
the Criterion, where the young duke OF
Moorlands, her latest conquest, had In
vited her to sumptuous luncheon with
himself and friends, all men OF fashion,
who we're running through what money
Trey had us fast as they could go.
Lady Winsleigh, on her way home,
vas tormented by sundry uncomfort-
able thoughts and sharp pricks of con-
science. Her interview with Violet
We're had instlnctively convinced her
that Sir Philip was innocent OF the In
trigue imputed to him, and yet, the
letter she had now In her possession
seemed to prove him guilty. And
though she felt herself to be playing a
vile part, she could not resist the temp
tation OF trying what the effect would
be of this compromising document on
Thelmas trusting mind. 1t was UNI
aoubtedly yery discriminating epistle
ANY lawyer would have said as much,
while blandly pocketing his fee for say
ing It. 1t was written off In evident
haste, and ran rs follows:---
Let me sec you once more on the
subject you know OF. Why will you not
acsept the honorable position offered to
you? There shall be no stint OF money;
all the promises | have made ! am
quite ready to fuliill--you shall lose
nothing by being gentle, Surely you
cannot continue to seem 30 destitute or
all womanly feeling and pity? ! Will
not believe that you would so deliber-
ately condemn to death man who has
loved, and who loves You still 80 faith
fully, and who. without you, Is utterly
weary OF life aud broken-hearted!
Think once more and let my words
carry more weight with you!
Bruce Errington."
This was all, but more than enough!
Il wonder what he means thought
I.ady Winslelgh. ut looks as II he
were In love with the We're and she re-
fused to reclprocate. 1t must be that.
And yet that doesn't accord with what
tho creature herself said about his
preaching ut her. He wouldn't do
that IL he were In love-"
She studied every word OF the letter
again and again, and finally folded 1t
up carefully and placed II In her poe
textbook.
Innocent or guilty. Thelma must sec
It." she decided, II wonder how she'll
take It! If she wants d proof---it's one
she'll scarcely deny Some women
would fret themselves to death over 1t
but l shouldn't wonder II she sat
down under 1t quite calmly without n
word of complaint" She frowned u
little. why must she always be 81.
perior to others OF her sex! How de-
test that still solemn smile of hers and
those big baby blue Dyes. | think II
Philip had married any other woman
than shea woman more like the rest
OF us who'd gone with her time
could have forgiven him more easily.
Put to pick up Norwegian peasant
and set her up as a sort OF moral finger
post to society--and then go and com
promise himself with Violet We're
that's Il kind of thing | can't stand!
I'd rather be anything In the world
than a humbug!"
Many people desire to be something
they arc not, and her ladyship quite
uneonsciously echoed this rather gen
oral sentiment She was, without
knowing 1t, such an adept in society
humhus, that she even humbuggod
herself. She betrayed herself az she
betrayed others. and told little sooth-
ing lies to her own conscience rs she
told them To her friends. There are
plenty of women like her, women Of
pleasant courtesy and fashion, to whom
truth Is mere coarseness,- with
whom polite lying passes for perfect
breeding. She was not aware, rs she
was driven along Park Lane to her own
residence, that she carried with her on
the box OF her brougham private de-
tectiVe In the person of Briggs. Perch
cd atitly on his scat, with arms tightly
FOLDED this respectable retainer wus
quite absorbed In meditation. so much
30 that he exchanged not word with
his friend, the coachman. beside him.
He had his own notions OF propriety, -
he considered that his mistress had no
business whatever to call on an actress
OF Violet Veros repute, and he re-
solved that whether he were reproyed
Cor over righteousness or not, nothing
should prevent him from casually men
tioning to Lord Winsleigh the object OF
her ladyshlp's drive that morning.
For" mused Briggs gravely. "a
lady as responsibilities, and 'owever
she forgets 'erself. appearances ms to
be KEEP up"
With the afternoon. the fog which
had hung over the city all day. deep.
ened and darkencd. Thelma had
lunched with Mrs. Lorimer, and had
Il n