Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-05-10
A Golden Heart.
BERTHA M. CLAY.



there was no sign, no trace OF him.
He vanished completely, as though he
had disappeared from the face OF the
earth
He had said that he would be back
by half-past nine at the very latest;
and Lady Allanmore wondered how
she should spend the time. 1t was
the first evening she had been alone
since her marriage; Sir Karl had never
left her before, and she could not help
wondering what this most mysterious
business was; 1t was evidently some
thing that engrossed his thoughts.
But she would not trouble about 1t;
he would explain when he came home.
She took up book; 1t was one OF her
favOrltes. But on that evening 1t had
lost Its charm. She could not read;
she turned over page after page with
out even scanning their contents.
She would go to the piano, she thought
and play away dull care. How strange
1t was that the first piece Of music she
opened was the song she had sung to
Sir Karl when in her own mind she
had hidden him farewell for ever. How
well she remembered having sung
that to him-the pain In her own
heart, the despair and reproach she
had read in his eyes! All the anguish
Of those days came back to her.
"He ls mine now" she said to her
self, "and there will be no more part
ing"
She longed for his presence that she
might feel the clasp Of his arm around
her, his kisses warm on her face; but
he would soon be back. 1t was strlk-
ing nine, and he had said he would re-
turn by half past. She put away the
little song that was 30 closely asso-
clnted with him, and played all the
airs she could remember She was
startled when, mingllng with the notes
OF the piano, she heard the clock strike
ten.
He must have returned, she thought
and. owing to the music, she had not
heard him. She rang the bell quickly
Frodsham, the butler, said NO
Most Of the servants had gone to rest +;
but he was sitting up for Sir Karl. He
was dismissed with graceful gmile-
nothing pleased Lady Allanmore SC
much as attention to her husband.
II will never sit up ut night alone
again" she thought
After few minutes, her nervous
fears increased so greatly that there
was nothing left for her to do but &C
down to the old butler In the hall. He
looked up In surprise at the beautiful
vision of silk, velvet and pearls GOV.
cred with white lace
MY lady!" he cried. jumping ny
asleep! Did you want me?"
Il am uneasy about your master,
she said Gle was to have been back
at half-past nine, and now 1t Is past
eleven"
The anxious voice aroused the
faithful servant. He went to the hall
door and opened 1t, letting in food
of moonlight
There Is no cause for fear, my
lady" he repllcd-"not the least. See
how light the night Is 1t Is bright as
lay"
She looked down the broad steps:
the moonlight lay on flowers and
trees, on the grass and the statues.
What could there he to fear on such
"A night? Nothing. There could be no
accident, she reflected, such as was
oceasioned at times by losing ones
way in the dark.
May | ask, my lady. where Sir
Karl has gone" inquired the butler.
lie very often tells me himself: but
tonight he did not say word OF his
Intentions indeed, my lady, thought
That he did not seem quite we'll"
lie was not we'll" she replied
quickly; "it is that which has made
me uneasy"
Il am sure, my lady, that there is
no need for anxiety. Did you say
where my master had gomez"
There was look Of distress ana
childlike hewildermeut on her face,
Il do not know. Frodsham. He did
not tell me-, Even rs she spoke, a
thrIll of terror passed over her, and a
dreadful rorobodiug of sorrow made
her tremhle.
Y am quite sure, my lady, that YOU
need not be anxious No accident
could have happened ON a bright night
IKE this. You see for yourself that II
Is almost as light US day"
Yes, sec" she answered
What she would have liked would
nave been to 40 ont herself in search
of Sir Karl,
I should not like to leave YOU alone
my lady" said the butler. but IL Won
viii permit me to call the housekeeper
To remain with you, will 40 to the
lodge gates, II would be better to call
Mrs Pickering than your ladyship's
maid"
1t occurred to him that, II there had
been any little conTctemps, Il would
hn far haitian ~