Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-09-08
CHAPTER <.

They were coming hOme-the we'd
ding tour had been unduly prolonged.
Lady Ianthe had seemed to be enjoy
ing herself so thoroughly that Her
man did not care to put the longing
of his heart into words and ask her
to go home She would never care for
him abroad; he consoled himself by
thinking that she was too much alb
sorbed and engrossed in the novelties
around her But at home, at Croomoe,
where his love would surround ner,
where she would have leisure to think
of him, there she would learn to love
him. Still, he himself would never
have suggested their returning. To
his great delight, when the month OF
July came, with it's dazzling glory OF
flowers and it's fervid heats she told
her husband that it was time they
thought of going home.
1--WE shall find Croombe at it's fair
est" she said ''It is always beautiful,
but it is most SO when, the fulness OF
summer is over it," And then she
added, gracefully, ct is to be your
home, I remember. I hope that you
will like it." She did not add, "and
that you will be happy there" He
noticed the omission but he had de-
termined to be hopeful.
1t was a lovely evening in July when
they once more reached the abbey. 1t
seemed to Ianthe that there had never
been such sunshine-never such a
glow of color, such warm, sweet frag-
rance.
Italy was beautiful she said to
her husband, ''but in the whole world
there is no place like home"
s'Do you like Croombe so much?'
he asked, gently.
The tears shone in her proud eyes
as she answered:
Eyes, love it inexpressibly."
And then he thought to himself that,
whether she ever loved him or not, he
would be content, for he had given
her this great happiness-he had
preserved her home. He would have
done twice as much to hear such
words from the lips he loved.
1t was a pretty homecoming. There
were arches of evergreens and flowers,
each one surmounted with the word
Welcome There were pretty colored
flags and bowers with inscriptions OF
| welcome-there was crowd of ten
antTy and children.
| Lady Ianthe's beautiful face flushed;
it was so strangely sweet to her, this
welcome from those she had lived
amongst and loved. The sun was set
ting over the trees, the rich ripping
foliage was gently stirred by the sweet
| south wind, the air was balmy with
| the fragrance of flowers: it seemed as
| though even nature had donned hel
| fairest robe to bid them welcome.
The old Earl was in the grand en-
! trance-hall, and Lady Ianthe looked a.
him with incredulous delight His
eyes were bright, the worn, haggart
look of pain had left his face, he was
more erect, more stately. She had mo-
seen him looking so well for years
With a joyful cry she threw her arms
round his neck.
Papa" she said, delightedly, II
does my heart good to see you again.
The earl looked at his daughter, ant
was delighted with her improved ap
pearance, her increased beauty; h'
could hardly take his eyes from tht
radiant face. Suddenly he remem
! 9ered Herman, waiting for his wei
come!
"My daughter" he said with grace
full courtesy, eve must not forget tt
whom we owe all our happiness. M!
son, a hundred welcomes home!"
Then he watched Lady Ianthe as sh'
went over the beautiful house. Thu
improvements made therein durin.
her absence had all been suggested
by her husband, and superintended b.
the earl.
Lord Care had had but little tt
spend on Croombe; Herman. however
had had new stables erected, and
what was better filled with some o
the finest horses in the county. /
new wing had been added to tn
abbey, and it had been fitted up witt
every modern appliance. There wer
new Conservatives, and the ground
had been put into perfect order. TIL
interior of the house had been almos
entirely refurnished.
In the picture-gallery Lady Ianth
saw again the pictures and statue
that had gladdened her eyes in othe
lands Thither had been brought, a
though by magic, all that she ha
most admired. All was owing to tn
untiring love, the unwearied devotion
the generosity of the husband who ba
been forbidden to speak even one a
fectionate word to her. He was nc
even by her side now-he would nc
detract from his munificence by seen
ing to want her thanks. 1t was tn
earl who showed her everything.
What do we not owe him, Ianth 3?
he said at length.
She did not love her husband; sh
looked down upon him from the seren
- height of her nobility. But she wa
not deficient in gratitude