Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-03
A MID LOVE
BERTHA M. CLAY.
BERTHA M. CLAY.


dOlI LiN hu9o nav "'ho'' - -
sixteenth today, and it does not seem
TO be twenty-four hours since 1t was
the first.
That shows, at least, that life has
been pleasant to you, said the count
ess
Yes, 1t has been very pleasant, he
replied, and then he sighed deeply.
why do you sigh, Lance? The flu
ture can be as pleasant as the past,
can it not?"
He looked up, half impatiently.
Il sigh to think that my share In II
the end of June.
Make the most Of the time left,
said my lady; there's another week,
at least. Let us go everywhere and
see everything In all probability, we
sail not meet at Nice again.
He had expected contradiction, ne
had expected his mother TO oppose MS
desire of returning home, and he was
slightly piquod to find that so far from
opposing him, she seemed TO fall into
the idea as though it We're the most
natural one.
II think" he pursued, that IL l
leave here on the twenty seventh that
will be soon enough"
Yes" said the countess, quietly.
1T is not such u long journey, after
all. :"
SO she would not oppose him, she
would not argue with him, but left
him to take his own way The hand
some face grew Swallowed, the frank
eyes troubled. 1t Is very hard when
man cannot force anyone to contra
dict him. He rose from his chair, he
walked uneaslly up and down the
room; no spoke almost nervously on
one or two points and then he said:
Mother, suppose you know what
intend doing?"
She looked up at him with the bland
est smile and the sweetest tir
Doing, Lance-about the boat to-
night, do you mean?"
She purposely affected to misunder
stand him.
i Nv boht Nv iNBN"tSu' AN't
mean about-my-my --future, my
marriage.
II cannot say that know what you
intend doing, Lance, but | am quite
sure you will never again have the bad
taste to offend your father and me.
can trust you so far.
He looked still more uncomfortable,
he could always manage the countess
better when she was angry than when
she was amiable. He stopped abrupt
ly before her, and looking ut her, said:
II must marry Leone, mother;
must.
Very we'll, Lance. When you are
twenty-one, you can do as you like. g."
"Oh, mother" cried the young lord,
more humane; do not be SO frigld
and cold; speak to me about 1t. nm
your only son. Surely my marriage
Is matter OF some Importance TO
you.
There was II passion of cntreaty in
his voice, and Lady Lanswell looked
kindly at him.
Certainly your marriage is of more
importance than anything else IN
earth; but You cannot expect me to
look with favor ON that tempestuous
young person who ranted at me like a
theater. You must excuse me, Lance
but there are limits to human endur
ancc, and she Is beyond mine"
Mother, let me be happy let me go
ana marry her; let me bring her back
here and we shall all be happy to-
gcther."
My dear Lance, | should not con
slider person of her position a fit COM
panion for my maid. For myself, |
quite declare | shall not oppose your
marriage with the girl it is quite use
less since You are OF age To do as
you like; hut | shall never see YOU II
speak to You again, when YOU leave
me here for that purpose our good-py
Will last beyond death. Still YOU I'M
dcrstand | do not seek to Win YOU from
Your purpose. You are free to do as
You viii"
The misery on his handsome young
Caer touched her Il little, aud she Aad
to remind herself that she was doing
all she did for his own good.
We Will not talk amy more about
H. Lance, she said, kindly; words
viii NO, .t,ter facts. Did your father
lciy YOU what he proposed about The
boat ,oulght?"
His lips uvmhicd as he tried to an
! sNcr her
I cannot throw off sorrow rs Won
/ yan mother, am talking to YOU
about that which will make he misery
or ;hc happiness OF ny !ife, ana YOU
thnb Of nothing but a boat
Words are useless, Lance. repeated
my lady. obey are but empty sounds.
an1 gatng out to look for some cam
eos thtnl> | should Ike 4 set. they
are very elegant and recherche
So saying. NY lady left the room rs
though no serious thought occupied h.,
mind
Thpn for the first Eimp sbnrthInr