Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-10-09
Continued.

Stronger nature gained the ascendency,
the stronger soul gained the upper
hand in his life. The love of Leone
had always been by far the strongest
element in his life; it had been set
aside by a series of clever maneuVers,
but now it resumed it's sway. He did
not intend it; he was weak enough and
foolish enough to think that the pru-
dent friendship could replace mad love,
and he was not very long before ne
found out his mistake. But at first all
went well-her praise stimulated MN.
he gave loose to the fiery eloquence
that was natural to him. knowing
that she would read and criticise every
word. he took more pride and pleasure
in his public life than he had ever done
before: he liked to hear her criticisms
on his opinions and actions; he was ue-
lighted with the interest she took IN
his works.
At times the visits he paid were all
occupied with the discussion of these
details. He would tell her of some
great grafton or speech that he in
tended to make on some important
measure. she would talk it over to him,
and her marvellous intelligence, her
bright wit and originality always
threw some light on the matter, some
more picturesque view. In this she
differed from Lady Marion, who was
more tinid and retiring, who looked
upon everything connected with public
life as a dreadful ordeal, who, fond as
she was of literature, could not read
newspaper, who, dearly as she loved
her husband, could not interest herself
in his career.
So gradually and slowly the old love
threw it's glamor over them, slowly the
master passion took it's place again in
Lord Chandos' life, but just at that
time it was unknown to himself. 1t
came at last that the only real life for
him was the time spent with her-the
morning hours when he discussed all
the TOPICS of the day with her, and the
evening when he leaned over his opera
box, his eyes drinking in the marvel
GUS Beauty of her face.
Then, as matter of course, Lady
Marion began to wonder where he
went. He had been accustomed, when
he had finished his breakfast, always
TO consult her about the days plans
whether she liked to walk, ride, or
drive, and he had always been her com
panion; but now it often happened that
he would say to her:
Marion, drive with my mother this
morning, she likes to have you with
her; and my father goes out so little,
you know"
She always smiled with the most
amiable air of compliance with his
wishes, but she looked UP at him on
this particular morning.
'"Where are you going, Lancer" she
asked. Her eyes took in, in their quiet
fashion, every detail of his appearance,
even to the dainty exotic in his button
hole.
Lord Chandos had habit of blush
fng-his dark face would flush like a
girls when any sudden emotion stirred
him it did so now, and she, with
wondering eyes, noticed the flush.
"Why, Lance" she said, ''you are
blIshing, blushing just like a girl, be-
cause I just asked you where you we're
going"
And though the fiery red burned the
at his wife and say:
''You are always fancfful over me,
Marion, and your fancies are not al
ways correct"
She was one Of the sweetest and most
amiable of women, no one ever saw her
ruff1ed or impatient. She went UP to
him now with the Ioveliest smile, and
laid her fair arms round his neck; the
very heaven of repose was in the eyes
she raised to his.
"My darling Lance" she said, "I can
never have any fancy over you; my
thoughts about you are always true. "
She laid one slim, white hand on his
face. ''Why, your face burns now"
she said, and he made some little ges-
ture Of Impotence, and then his
heart smote him. She was so fair, SO
gentle, and loved him so dearly.
''Have I vexed you, Lancer" she said.
81 did not mean to do so. If you do
not like me tn ask you where you are
going, I will not, but it seems to me
such a simple thing"
Glow can 1 object, or, rather, why
should object to tell you where I go,
Marion? Here is my notebook; open
1t and read"
But when he said the words he knew
that on his notebook there was no
mention Of Leone's name, and again
his heart smOte him. 1t was so very
easy to deceive this fair, trusting wo-
man. Lady Chandos put the notebook
back in his pocket.
''I do not want to see it, Lance. I
merely asked you the question because
you looked so very nice, and you have
chosen such a beautiful flower.
thought you were going to pay some
particular visit"
He kissed the sweet, wistful face