Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-25


soiree, and the crowd was so great
they were unable to stir. 1t is possible
tC be quite alone in a great crowd, as
these two were now.
Leone had on a dress of white satin
trimmed with myrtle, the rich folds of
which trailed on the ground. They
shook hands in silence. 1t was Lord
Chandos who spoke first.
Il am glad to see you, Leone; but
you are looking ill-you must not
look like that Has anything hap
pened to distress your"
He saw great trouble in the dark
eyes raised to his.
"Is Lady Marion here?" she asked.
NO." he replied. "She was to have
come with my mother, but at the last
moment she declined; I do not know
why"
She was debating in her own mind
whether she would tell him about his
mothers visit or not. Then she de-
cided it would be better He bent
over her.
Il came" he said, Gin the hope of
seeing you. heard you say last night
that you should be here"
In low tone she said to him:
"Your mother has been to see me.
Talk about dramatic scenes,-we had
one Has she told you anything about
it,"
mo-" he replied; "she does not
speak to me. am in disgrace. My
lady passes me in silent dignity. She
was just going to Lady Marion's room
when I came away, but she did net
speak What was the object Of her
visit, Leone?"
'It was about Berlin" she said in a
low voice.
He started.
HAS she been to you about that?"
he asked. Il thought she had exhausted
all the remarks she had to make on
that subject.
The green foliage and crimson flow
ers of a huge camellia bent over them.
Lord Chandos pushed aside the GRIM
son flowers so that he might more
clearly see his companions face.
what has my mother said to you
about Berlin, Leone?"
'%She came to beg of me to forbid you
to go. She says if you go either with
me or after me you will be a ruined
man"
ct will be most sweet ruin" he
answered.
Lance" said Leone, edo you know
that while Lady Lanswell was talking
to me | went mad-I am quite sure of
it. I said such dreadful things to her;
did mean them?"
How should I know, my-Leone;
but we will not talk about it. Never
mind what my mother says; 1 do not
wish to hear it. She came between us
once, she shall never part us again
never. There can be no harm in my
going to Berlin, and there shall go
that is, always with your consent and
permission"
''That you have. But, Lance, is it
true that Lady Marion does not wish
you to go to Berlin and threatens to
leave you if you dds it true?"
LET us talk about something else,
Leone" he said. 1--WE have but a few
moments together"
"But 7 cannot think of anything
else" she said; because my heart is
full of it,"
What else she would have said will
never be known, for at that moment
there was stir in the crowd, and they
were separated.
She took home with her the memory
Of his last look-a look that said so
plainly, Il love you and will go to Ber-
IN for your sake" She took home
with her the memory of that look, and
lay sleepless through the whole night,
wondering which of the evil spirits
had taken possession of her.
The countess had gone IN search of
Lady Marion. She found her in her
boudoir-the beautiful room she had
shown with such pride to Madame
Vanira.
Lady Chandos looked up eagerly as
the countess entered.
"Have you good news for me?" she
cried, eagerly.
And my lady could not destroy the
lingering hope she saw in that fair
face.
''Not yet" she cried, "but you must
be patient, Marion.
Patience is so difficult when so
much is at stake. Tell me-you had
some plan, some resource; I saw that
when you left me. Have you tried it?''
Eyes, I have tried it, replied Lady
Lanswell sadly.
HAS it succeeded or fai1ed?" she
asked, eagerly.
E'It has failed" answered the count
ess, dreading to see the effect Of her
reply.
But to her surprise, tender, dreamy
smile came over the fair face.
why are you smiling, Marion?" she
asked.
because I, too, have plan," she re-
piled; zone quite of my own; and ]
pray Heaven it may succeed"
''Will you tell it me?" asked Lady
Lanswell