Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-10-26


| she was not.
mo; the earl has made an engage
ment which | am compelled to keep,
much to my regret,
And she spoke truthfully. The
proud and naughty countess found
herself much impressed by the grace,
genius, and beauty Of Madame Vanira.
Leone had looked forward to the
ball as to an ordeal that must be
passed through. She dreaded 1t, yet
longed for it. She could not rest for
thinking of 1t. She was to enter as a
guest the house where she should have
reigned mistress. She was to be the
visitor of the woman who had taken
her place. How could she bear 1t?
how would 1t pass? For the first time
some of the terrible pain of jealousy
found it's way into her heart-a pain
that blanched her face, and made her
trembe; new pain to her in the fire
OF It's burning.
found her with a pale face; her usuAl
When the night of the ball came 1T
radiant coloring faded, but she looked
all the loyelier for it. She dressed
herself with unusual care and magnifi-
cence.
Il must look my best tonight" she
said 10 herself, with a bitter smile.
Il am to see the home that should
have been my own. | am to visit Lady
Chandos, and | believed myself to be
Lady Chandos and no other. | must
look my best.
She chose a brocade Of pale amber
that looked like woven sunbeams; 1t
was half covered with point lace and
trimmed with great creamy roses. She
wore a parure of rubies presented by
an empress, who delighted In her
glorious voice. On her beautiful neck,
white and firm as a pillar, she wore a
necklace OF rubies. On her white
breast cleaned q cross OF rubies, in
which the fire flashed like CLEANS of
light.
She never looked so beautiful. The
low dress showed the white shining
arms and shoulders like satin. The
different emotions that surged through
her whole heart and soul gave soft
ened tenderness to the beautiful pas
sionate face.
She was a woman at whose feet a
man could kneel and worship; who
could sway the heart and soul OF a
man as the wind sways the great
branches Of strong trees.
On the morning of the day of the
ball, n bouquet arrived for her, and she
knew that it held her favorite flowers,
white lilies of the-valley, with sweet
hanging bells and gardenias that filled
the whole room with perfume. She
had assurance enough to face the most
critical audience in the world.
She sung while kings and queens
looked on in wonder, the applause of
great multitudes had never made her
heart beat or her pulses thrill; but rs
she drove to Stoneland House faint
languid sensation almost oVercame
her. How should she bear it? What
should she do? More than once the
impulse almost mastered her to return,
and never see Lord Chandos again;
but the pain the fever and the longing
urged her on.
1t was like Il dream, the brilliantly
lighted mansion, the rows of liVerled
servants, the spacious entrance-hall
lined wl.h flowers, the broad white
staircase with the crimson carpet, the
white statues holding crimson lamps.
she walked slowly up that gorgeous
staircase, every eye riveted by her
queenly beauty. She said to herself:
"All this should have been mine
Yet, It was not envy Of the wealth
and magninccnce surrounding her, it
was the keen pain of the outrageous
wrong done to her which stung her to
the quick brilliantly dressed ladies
passed, and she saw that more defer
cncc was paid TO her than would have
been paid to a duchess.
Then, in the drawing-room that led
to the ballroom, she saw Lady Marion
In her usual calm. regal attitude, re-
ceiving the guests The queen of
blondes looked more than lovely; her
dress was of rich white lace over pale
blue silk, with blue forget-me-nots in
her hair. Leone had one moments hard
il"ht with herself as she ga2ed at this
beautiful woman.
she stands In my place, she bears
my name; on her finger shines the
, ring that ought to shine on mine; she
has taken the love believed to be
mine for life" said Leone to herself
"How shall bear it?"
AS she stood among the brilliant
crowd there came strong impulse TO
| go up to Lady Marion and say:
stand aside; this is my place. Men
cannot undo the laws of God Stand
aside give me my place.
Words were stll burning from her
heart to her lips when she saw Lady
| Marion holding out her hand in kind
Hest greeting 10 her. All the bitter
thoughts melted at once in the sun
| shine of chat fair presence. her own