Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-11
WomanAgainstW Woman
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MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
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wards a door which led into another
chamber.
Still you are wrong saia Alice
smiling and pointing with her whip
60 straight along and you will
reach the big staircase; then you Will
soon find your way. That door leads
to the empty part OF the castle-the
treasure rooms, as the servants cal
them. Yes, now you are right"
"Au revoir, milady!"
Count Jura strobe down the CORR
dor.
Treasure rooms!" he repeated to
himself. paul was right and yet
among all the treasures OF the castle
she Is to me the rarest.'
Alice strobe her way down the
staircase to the central hall. She felt
exhilarated and almost happy. She
I always had that strange flutter at her
heart when near her husband.
Valerie, looking like a goddess In
her perfectly-cut habit, was standing
In the doorway, beyond which the
horses were waiting. A mans form
was beside her and Alice noticed with
q sickenng sensation how low he was
whispering and how eager was his
look. She came slowly up to them,
! and caught few words:
"When | think Of 1t, Valerie, am
nearly mad to know what have lost.
My life Is misery to me tied as |
am to a"
Valerie heard Alices footsteps, and
she drew her hand away from his.
1T IL getting late, we had better
start" she said quietly, giving him
u look full Of sympathy, and glanc-
Ing another OF triumph at Alice as she
hurrledly descended the steps.
Lord Radine now joined them.
May | help you mount, countess?'
he asked eagerly.
He was young man, and Alices
fair loneliness had won his warmest
admiration.
III you please"
She was still hearing her hus-
bands voice, passion-laden, breath
ing his love and misery into Valerie 8
ear.
The earl assisted Valerie to mount
and then the four rode away.
I'VE don't want grooms, Roy"
said Valerie authoritatiyely.
So the earl waved the attendants
back.
Lord Radine glaAced now and then
at his companions face.
"Who was 1t said Darrell had mar
ried farm-glrl?" he mused. What
u cruel scandal This woman Is
peerless! Countess" he said aloud,
ARE you In any way connected with
the Arnolds-you know who | mean;
they are very old famlly-the head
Is always called the master of Ar
nold?"
Alice had blushel, but now she
was pale.
Il have no aristocratic connec-
tions, Lord Radine," she answered
quietly; 81 am only farmers niece.
But you have their face. The
Arnolds are strangely lovely family
forgive me for paying you SO gauche
n compliment; but you are fairer
than was the Lady Enid Arnold,
whose portrait hangs In my mothers
room and who died years ago, and
she was supposed to have been the
greatest beauty of her time
IL have no family" repeated Alice,
II was only Il farm girl. You will
have heard how came-to-to marry
the earl; before then | was neglected,
ill-used, and miserable, l even
taught myself-at least, the village
schoolmaster helped me for some time,
but he died two years ago and then
| had no one to assist ME.
Il do not care what you Were, ".
cried Lord Radine fervently, reaching
for her small hand and carrying it
to his lips; but to ME you are the
embodiment of everything that is
perfection
Valerie turned at this instant and
the earl, looking back, also saw the
young mans act of courtesy and ad-
miration.
My Lady Alice progresses, re
market Valerie with a sheer. Roy,
You must look after your wife"
Lord Darrell did not answer. He un
consciously frightened his hold ON his
reins and his brows met in frown.
Something In the sight he had just
: seen yeNed him strangely, and for the
first time since his return he beheld
: Alce's beauty in all Its power
: Valerie saw the frown and her
heart leaped.
, He is angry with her." she said t.
: herself.
She checked her horse and the earl
did so too.
What Is it?' asked Lord Radine
Il forget the exact path" said
: Valerie, land Roy knows absolutely
nothing about IT,
Il will go and inquire" said the
earl hurriedly.
/ No. Darrell. let me-" and Lord
, Radine rode rapidly down the path
to the right
Alice, whose checks were still flushed