Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-02-12
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A Golden Heart. /
! BERTHA NJ. CLAY.
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Continued.

That went straight home" she
said to herself. CAS- though l had never
read love in his eyes! 1 am certain
that he likes Dolores Cliefden.
Dolores thought that the desire of
her heart was to be accomplished at
last. Sir Karl was making his way
to her. Her heart throbbed and her
face flushed; then a great, almost
solemn calm came over her. If he
cared for her, she was sure that in
some vague manner she would dis
cover it.
He did not look very happy; the
ring had gone from his voice, and the
laughter from his face. In brief
words he told his Grand adding:
L fear I shall ask in vain. If
Lady Fielden could not persuade you,
it is hardly likely that I shall be more
successful"
She looked up at him with a smile.
'Since you ask me, and it will
please you" she replied, II will sing
but not at present. The room is so
get an ice?"
He took the hint and offered her
his arm, and they went in search of
refreshments. Sir Karl found Dolores
a seat; and then, remembering her
resolution that she would he neither
cold, shy, nor proud, as she partook of
the ice and fruit he had brought her,
she talked to him brightly @lnd gayly
The more brilliantly she chatted, how
ever, the darker grew his face. He
said to himself:
ct is all very we'll for her; she can
be happy and bright; she has no re-
grets She is going to marry for
money; and she has secured one Of the
wealthiest men in England for hus-
band"
His face grew darker and graver.
She saw it, and her heart failed her.
She remembered how interested he
had looked when Lola talked to him.
Gradually silence fell upon them
both.
Il am afraid, Miss Cliefden that you
do not find my society very entertain
ing" Sir Karl remarked presently
Il do not remember ever to have
she said with forced laugh.
Just then a musical voice near them
exclaimed
''What a melancholy tete-a-tete. Sir
Karl, | could not imagine where you
were. Do you remember having prom
ised to arrange a charade for us?'
Did I? [ am afraid I must ask you
to enlist the services of some one more
competent. [ am not quite myself to-
night"
NONSENSE" said Lola, gayly. "That
is like a bad riddle. If you are not
yourself, who are you? I cannot let
you off your bargain. I have set my
heart on a charade; and what I have
set my heart on l must have"
She looked so bewitchingly defiant
that it was impossible to refuse her.
A moment later she went up to some
vases and took from them two flow
-ers; one was a white rose, the other a
red one.
This white one is called Queen
Marie, " she said, "and the red one is
|Erin's Pride Which will you have,
Sir Karl?"
Sir Karl had been piQued and hurt;
he thought only of giving passing
thrill of vexation to the girl whom he
really loved; but by one trivial act he
decided her destiny and his own. Dol
ores watched him with Wistful pain.
If he took the white rose, she would
know that he loved her best; if not
Lola looked with great, shining
eyes into his face.
Take your choice" she said; and
he took from her hand the deep
crimson rose, "Erin's Pride"
No one saw that the fair, young face
grew deathly white, that the golden
head dropped for a moment. Then
Dolores raised it with proud, careless
grace.
4 will sing now, Sir Karl" she
said, eff you still wish it,"
Certainly l do he replied, again
Offering her his arm.
or A TO-1THT1