Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-01-13

the servant retired, she quietly re-
sumed her occupation. There was
short silence, only broken by the hum
OF the wheel, Sir Francis slipped his
tea with meditative air. and studied
the fair woman before him as critical
ly as he would have studied a picture,
Il hope I'm not in your way?" he
asked suddenly. She looked up sur
prised.
"oh no--only l am sorry Philip is
rot here to talk to you, 1t would be
SO much pleasanter,
Would it?" he murmured rather
obviously and smiling, Well shall
be quite contented if you will talk TO
me, Lady Errington"
"Ah. but l am not at all clever in
conversation" responded Thelma quite
seriously. Il am sure you, as we'll as
many Others, must have noticed that,
| never do seem to say exactly the
right thing to please everybody, Is 1t
not very unfortunate?"
He laughed a little. Il have yet to
learn in what way you do not please
everybody" he said, dropping his voice
to low, caressing cadence. who,
that sees you, does not admire-and-
al love you?"
She met his languorous gaze without
embarrassment while the childlike
openness of her regard confused and
slightly shamed him.
Admire me? Oh yes!" she said
somewhat plaintively. 1t is that of
which l am so weary! Because God
has made one pleasant in form and
face,-~to be stared at and whispered
about, and have all ones dresses
copied all that is so small and COM
mon and mean, and does veX me so
much !"
1T is the penalty you pay for being
beautiful" said Sir Francis slowly,
wondering within himself at the ex-
traordinary incongruity Of feminine
creature who was actually tired of ad-
miration.
She made no reply--the wheel went
round faster than before, Presently
Lennox set aside his emptied cup, and
drawing his chair little closer to
hers, asked
when does Errington return?'
81 cannot tell you," she answered.
He said that he might be late. Mr.,
Neville is with him.
There was another silence. Lady
Errington," said Sir Francis abruptly
pray excuse mel speak rs a
friend, and in your interests, how
long is this to last?"
The wheel stopped She raised her
eyes,-thsy were grave and steady.
Il do not understand YOU" she re-
turned quietly. What is it that you
mean?"
He hesitated-then went on, with
lowered eyelids and a halt-smile,
II mean-what all our sets talking
acknowledgements queer fancy for
that actress at the Brilliant
Thelma still gazed at him fixedly,
ut is a mistake" she said resolutely,
altogether mistake. And as you are
his friend, Sir Francis. you will please
contradict this report-which Is wrong.
and may do Philip harm. 1t has no
truth in it at ALL"
mo truth" exclaimed Lennon. ITS
true as Gospel! Lady Errington, I'm
sorry for it--but your husband Is de-
ceiving you most shamefully!'
How dare you say such thing!"
she cried, springing upright and facing
m.-then she stopped and grew very
pale-but she kept her eyes upon him.
How bright they were! What chill
ing pride glittered in their sea-blue
depths!
you are in error" she said coldly,
IF 1t Is wrong to visit this theater
you speak OF, why are you 80 often
seen there-and why is not some harm
said of you? 1t is not your place TO
speak against my husband 1t is
shameless and treacherous! You do
forget yourself most wickedly"
And she moved to leave the room.
But Sir Francis interposed.
Lady Errington." he said very
gently, don't be hard upon me-pray
forgive me! or course I've no bust
ness to speak-but how can help it?
When | hear every one at the clubs
discussing you, and plying you it's
impossible to listen quite unmoved!
I'm the least among your friends, !
know,-but / can't bear this sort OF
thing to go on,-the affair will be dish
ed up in the society papers next!"
And he paced the room half i'm
patiently very well-feigned ex-
preston Of friendly concern and sym
pathy on his features. Thelma stood
motionless. a little bewildered-7her
head throbbed achingly, and there was
a sick sensation OF numbness creeping
about her.
Il tell you 1t is all wrong!" she re-
peatsd with an effort II do not I'M
derstand why these people at the clubs
should talk Of me. do not need any
pity. My husband is all goodness and
truth, she stopped and gathered
courage as she went on. Yes! he is
better, Drawer, nobler than all other
men in the world, it seems TO me! He