Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-12-26

saw that wherever Miss Rane was her
husband invariably made his way to
her. But as yet Lady Laura had borne
was coming when her pain must find
words.
CHAPTER XXI.
Angela, | want you. Come to my
room with me-"
And the girl followed her mother
] into the room where she had promised
, to make the most foolish will that was
ever drawn up"
The boudoir was looking its bright
est 1t was nearly the end OF May
now. and the room was filled with the
sweet fragrance of flowers, and the
sun, shining in brightly, touched the
golden head of Lady Laura and the
fair face of her daughter.
But Lady Laura's eyes were filled
with tears and her face was pale. Sne
seemed TO have lost much of her
bloom and radiance.
"Angel, come and talk to me- she
said.
Then the tears that filled the usually
bright eyes fell, and Lady Laura burst
into a passion of weeping.
ION, Angel" she sobbed; Il am so
unhappy. I must speak 10 you. | am
so unhappy that l fear I shall die!"
And, before another word was ut
tered, Angela knew to what her moth
er referred, and she realized that the
about to fall upon them.
Come and comfort me, Angel! "
cried the hapless lady. II am in sore
distress. Ny dear, you said, not once,
but often, that the captain did not
love me, and that he was going to
marry me for my money. Did you
mean it? Did you believe it?"
If her mother had taken her warn
ing at the time, Angela would have
been grateful, and would have per
sisted in ali she then said. But the IA
tai knot had been tied, and There vas
nothing for it but to make the best Of
i.
you must not remember what I
said then, mamma, darling. 1t is use
less recalling the words now
But. Angel, you said that the cap
tain did not love me because he loved
Gladys Rane. Oh, my dear, was it,
ttue-was it true?'
u hope not, mamma" she replied.
1T is OF no use thinking of such things
now"
Il cannot help thinking Of hem and
must speak Of them o. my heart Will
break" she .yDbod oh, Angel, You
who love me 80 truly, can you not see
how / suffer-"
Angela drew near aud kissed the
pale, sad face,
u will comfort YOU and help yon ali
I can, mamma she said, gently.
4 am so unhappy, Angel" said her
Iadyship; "and yet l cannot bear to
tell you why. Il seems like treachery
But | have borne it in silence until /
can bear it no longer"
"Perhaps. darling mother, l can
guess what it is that distresses you.
q almost wish you could, Angel
It. would save me the pain of telling
you.
Angela bent her fair face over her
mothers head.
Il do know" she whispered. You
are unhappy because of Gladys Rane, %
Heaven knows I am, Angel: so I'M
happy that | cannot 60 on bearing this
pain mucL longer.
Angel was too noble to say, as many
in her place would have said, Il knew
it would be so; told you so; l warned
YOU" She only kissed, with added
love and tenderness. the face of the
beautiful mother whose martyrd0m
would be, she knew. so terrible.
Tell me-" continued her ladyship
have you noticed it? Have others re
marked it? Tell me all, Angela; do
not keep anything from me. Is it
spoken of. gOssiped abOut?"
Il cannot tell you. I have not heard
il mentioned, mamma"
Then you have noticed it yourself?"
cried Lady Wynyard.
Il could not help seeing that the cap
tain spends a great deal of his time
with, and pays great attention to,
Gladys Rane. But, then, mamma dar-
ling, they are very old friends, and it
Is quite natural that they should have
much 10 say to each other"
To be continued.