Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-08-04
CHAPTER ".


snow had fallen; it lay like white,
thick, soft mantle over the earth.
The sky above was darkly blue, and
the wintry rays of the sun shone like
palest gold Far and wide was he
snow. rlelds were all covered, the
hedges were white, the bare branches
OF the trees were fringed. The green
holly held soft white snow in the
hollow of it's leaves. The scarlet
berries cleaned out like points of
flame: the robin-redbreast hoped on
the white snow and the bare tWigs. 1t
was a winter scene so full OF poetry
that Lady Ianthe could have watched
it for hours; but she drew back with
a sudden start of pain. Not much
longer would she watch those grand
old trees, the growth of centuries; not
much longer would the magnificent
home be hers. Where the Cares had
lived and died the plebian race OF
Culros would take up their abode.
The girl clasped her hands in pas
sionate sorrow as she thought Of it.
She would have given her life to save
her home from such terrible desecra-
ton They would be sure to cut down
the old ancestral oaks, just as they
would have new gliding in the draw
ing-room, and modern pictures in place
Of old family portraits. Then she re-
membered that she had to go down
and be civil to him, the representative
of the race that she detested.
If Herman had thought Lady Ianthe
beautiful in her evening dress, he was
at a loss what to think of her in plain
morning toilet-a simple morning
dress of dark rich blue; fastened high,
and closed round the white throat,
showing every line and curve of the
graceful figure. The fair, pure, proud
face blOomed with health; the rich rip
ping brown hair was loosely and
gracefully arranged. She babe him
Good morning" not offering her
hand, and just raising her white eye
lids, and then took her seat to pre-
side at the breakfast-table. But her
presence made paradise for the tan
who worshiped her with such ?as-
siOnate love.
After breakfast the earl sent for
her. He looked, she fancied, 2. little
more cheerful.
you because I want particularly to
see you. Last night, alLer you had
left us, we had long talk about my
misfOrtunes. He was so kind to me
this young Herman Culross; he
could not have been kinder hal he
been my own son.
81 am very glad" she observed,
calmly; the idea of being "kind'' to
her father, Lord Care, hardly pleased
her. Kindness implied something of
patronage, and between peer and
parvenu such a thing was of course
absurd.
"He took so great an interest lii
what said," continued Lord Carre,
that confded in him entirely.
told him everything-of the ten
thousand pounds owing to him-or
the five owing to Wyndham-and of
the two hundred thousand borrowed
for that detestable silver mine"
did you tell him all, papa? You
must have trusted him greatly"
II did indeed, my heart was drawn
to him. He is earnest, frank, sincere.
like him so much, Ianthe."
81 am very glad" she said, chat
you have found a friend in your
troubles, papa. Do they-these gentle
men-see any way out of Chem?'
mo; they both averred that it was
black, bitter, irretrievable ruin-thac
there was no possible escape from it;
but they have promised in every way
to do their best. Mr.. Grantley is COM
PEELED to return to London this even
ing; but / have asked Herman Culross
to remain with us for the next fort
night, at least, He has promised to
do so. You will be civil to him,
Ianthe?"
Civil she repeated, impatiently-
II am always civil to him, papa"
'You will try and amuse him, and
make the time pass pleasantly 10
him?"
Certainly; I hope, papa, that you
are always satisfied with my conduct
toward your guests
Eyes" he replied, wistfuIly; but
there is a shadow of something n
your manner toward MI. Culross-
nothing tangible-a shadow-yet | can
feel it. 1t is as though you never for
enc moment forgot the difference in
your POSITIONS
There is a difference, papa" she
said-''you admit that?"
Certainly, Ianthe. He is the son of
manufacturer, a man risen entirely
from the ranks of the people; you
are a daughter of one of the Oldest
families in England"
Then, if difference exists, papa,
it should be observed. You can no
more break down the barrier of caste
tran you can make a negro white"
Lord Care moved uneasily; he
looked at the pure, beautiful face, with
Its high-bred calmness.