Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-12-15


ment TO his admirers.
Foremost among the latter was MISS
| Tomkinson, a tall, muscular brunette.
Lady Brighton had heard her an
nounced earlier In the evening, ana
had noted the impertinent manner Ia
which the young woman had squeezed
her husbands hand, and the flush OF
pleasure that mounted 70 Augustus
forehead.
The political discussion became ami
mated, and for some little time the
lord chancellor was engrosSed IN
heated argument. When she looked
round, during a breathing interval,
she discovered that the group had dis
persed, and that her husband was 40
longer TO be seen.
Her annoyance was Increased on per-
ceiying that Miss Tomkinson had dis
appeared also. Making some excuse
to her companions, she left the room
and hurried downstairs In search OF
Augustus and the missing guest. She
looked In the supper room, but 1t was
empty. She tried the library and her
own little sanctum. the smoking
room; but with no better result. No
body was there.
Then she remembered the curtained
recess on the staircase.
Lady Brighton retraced her steps,
and noiseless.y approached secluded
retreat that had been arranged half
way up the flight OF stairs leading
from the drawing rooms to the regions
above. Crimson draperies OF rich
damask hid the occupants; but the
sound of voices was audible from
without.
The lord chancellor paused and lis
tened.
why did you consent to marry her.
them" were the first words that fell
upon her ear. The harsh strident
tone were Enthusiastically those OF a
woman.
The soft, dulcet, masculine accents
OF Augustus made answer.
1T all happened when | came out
and papa took me to my first party
he said. There was shy hesitation
In his speech, and Lady Brighton
could see In imagination Augustus
treacherous head bent In mock mod
esty, and his soft hand playing ner-
yously with her rings. She was at
torney-general then, but everybody
knew the lord chancellorship was only
question OF time. And papa got
somebody TO introduce her to me.
She didn't seem SO old that night; |
was so inexperienced, you know. And
she asked me to give her three dances,
and made me such pretty speeches
that 1t quite turned my head.
When did the horrid old thing pro-
poser" inquired his companion.
The lord chancellor remained mo-
tionless. Bur she bit her lip till the
blood came and her fists were
elenched ominously
"Oh, papa gave her leave to call, and
she came rearly every day for a fort
night" replied Augustus. "Then--
then she told me how much she cared
for me. and she put her arm around
my waistr-~because the suddenness of
1t all made m quite Authorization
she k"
stop" cried Miss Tomkinson,
whose voice betrayed her impatience.
II can't listen TO 1t any longer. TO
think OF another woman daring to
clasp you In her arms!"
Hush! lush you lrghten me with
your violence cried Augustus, tremu-
lousy: and Their was the sound of the
stopper being drawn from a bottle of
smelling salts,
II can't help 1t. Augustus dec AIRED
the woman passionate accents. i
love yoI, darling. | love YOU. must
l will"
There was slight struggle, fol-
lowed by an auulble kiss.
:"Iow dare YOU" exclaimed Angus
tus. weakly. But his voice belied his
words and the offense was repeated
again and again.
This was more than the lord chan
cellor could bear. Rushing forward,
she pulled the curtain on one side and
disclosed her faithless husband in
Miss Tomkinson arms,
Tho latter rose instantly to her feet.
And for moment the two women
stood giarinr at one another.
Thon Aus. rs threw himself be-
tween them in an agony u apprehen-
sion,
spare her!" he cried, going down
ON his Nnecs TO the lord chancellor
Il ought to puuch your head, you
heartlesS Don Juan, gasped Lady
Brighton, shaking ner list in Miss
lomkinson face.
The after made 40 reply. but put
herself in an attitude OF delense.
oh. uont fight! please don't fight!
moaned Augustus, and ths tears began
to course down his launched cheeks
III you do shall scream for help" he
added TO his wife, knowing the lord
chancellor's horror for scandal.
Lady Brighton pointed downstairs.
Leave this horse" she said, sternly,
and II ever catch you In 1t again III
give you good thrashing,'