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

we'll think SO, certa1nly-but,
you see, it's no good dashing his hopes
ono never knows-she might turn up
any day-it's a sort of chance!"
Il wish l could help him to search
His eyes do look so full OF sorrow"
she paused and added musingly, al
most like Sigurd's eyes sometimes"
ooh, he's not losing his wits" said
Philip hastily, hes quite patient, and
and all that sort of thing. Don't
right"
And he fumbled hastily with some
papers, and began to talk of something
else. His embarrassed manner caused
her to wonder little at the time as to
the reason of it,-but she had many
other things to think about, and she
soon forgot conversation that might
have proved small guiding-link
in the chain Of events that were soon
about to follow quickly one upon an
other, shaking her life to its very
foundation. Lady Winsleigh found
It almost impossible to get her on the
subject of the burlesQue actress, Violet
We're, and Sir Philips supposed ad-
miration for that notorious stage-si-
rem.
II do not believe it," she said firmly,
"and you-you must not believe it
either, Clara. For wherever you heard
1t, it is wrong. We should dishonor
Philip by such thought-you are his
friend, and l am his wife-we are not
the ones to believe anything against
him, even if it could be proved and
there are no proofs"
my DEAR" responded her ladyship
easily. "You can get proofs for your
self If you like. For instance, ask Sir
Philip how often he has seen Miss
We're lately,-and hear what he says"
Thelma colored deeply. Il would
not question my husband on such a
subject" she said proudly.
ooh WE'LL if you are so fastidious!"
And Lady Winsleigh shrugged her
shoulders.
Il am not fastidious," returned
Thelma, only l do wish to be worthy
of his love-and l should not be so if
l doubted him. No, Clara, l will trust
him to the end"
Clara Winsleigh drew nearer to her,
and took her hand.
Even il he were unfaithful to your
she asked in low, impressive tone.
"Unfaithful!" Thelma uttered the
word with little cry. CLARA, dear
Clara, you must not say such a word!
Unfaithful! That means that my hus-
band would love some one more than
me!-ah that is impossible!"
Suppose it were possible?" persist
ed Lady Winsloigh, with cruel light
in her dark eyes. Such things have
been!"
Thelma stood motionless, a deeply
mournful expression ON her fair, pale
face. She seemed to think for mo-
ment, then she spoke.
Il wo, d never believe it," she said
solamnly. Never, unless l heard 1t
from his own lips, or saw it in his own
writing, that he was weary of me, and
wanted me no more"
And them"
"Then"-she drew a quick breath
II should know what to do. But,
Clara, you must understand me well,
even If this were SO, l should never
blame him-no-not once!
mot blame him." cried Lady Wins
leigh impatiently. mot blame him for
iIfdelity?"
A deep blush swept over her face at
the hated word, 'infidelity," but she
answered steadily
mo. Because, you see, 1t would be
my fault, not his. When you hold a
flower in your hand for long time,
till all it's fragrance has gone, and you
drop it because it no longer smells
sweetly-you are to blame-it is nat
ural you should wish TO have some
thing fresh and fragrant,--it is the
flowers fault because it could not keep
its scent long enough to please you.
Now, If Philip were to love me no long
er, l should be like that flower, and
how would he be to blame? He would
be good as ever, but II should have
10 ALI"
She put this strange view of the
case quite calmly. as if it were the only
solution to the question. Lady Wins
leigh heard her. half in eontemptuous
amusement, half in dismay. What
can do with such a woman as this"
she thought. And fancy Lennie
imagining for moment that he could
have any power over herr" Aloud
she said-
"Thelma, you're the oldest creature
going-a regular heather child from
Norway, You've set up your husband
as an idol, and you're always on your
knees before him. It's awfully sweet
d you, but it's quite absurd, all the
same. Angelic wives always get the
- worst OF it, and so you'll see! Haven't
You heard that?'
sYs have heard 1t. she answered.
milling little. But only since
kana to London. In Norway, it is
III