Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-07-03

| Sne was tail anu Sllin-tnlS prOu,
daughter of a proud race-with Z
graceful figure of perfect symmetry
while sloping shoulders, a slender
throat, hands and arms Of exquisite
! shape and color; and her movements
were all grace and harmony. She had
a queenly bearing-a certain SWEEP
| and gracious dignity that never he
| serted her-and face that had in IL
all the proud, bright beauty of the
Carres-dark, proud eyes that seemed
| to look out with serene stateliness o.
the world, passionate, beautiful eyes
that could express both love ana
scorn, straight clear brows--a fault
less face oval in contour, with the
most exquisite bloom, surmounted by
a natural ripple.
Eighteen years old that day, the sole
daughter of one of the noblest and
most ancient families in England
beautiful as the fairest dream of artist
or poet, accomplished, gifted. could
any fate seem more happy than that
awaiting Ianthe Care? On this. her
eighteenth birthday-Christma eve
she came Of age, and, by her own
special wish, the day was to be ceIc-
brated by grand ball.
Much to the old earl's delight. he
had received a letter from Lord
Ravenscourt saying that he should he
in the neighborhood at Christmas. an
how much pleasure it would give Linn
to spend a day or two at Croombc
abbey-the answer to which was, Of
course, a cordial invitation for tie
birthday ball.
There were several other visitors IN
the house-Lord and Lady MorstOn,
Sir Harry Tredegar-who was one #
Lady Ianthe's most devoted admirers
Miss Belhoughton, and pretty blOndc
Alice Lowther-a pleasant party II
guests, assembled to do honor to the
beautiful Lady lanthe, and to spend
Christmas under the hospitabIe 'OJf
Of Croomve abbey.
Lady Ianthe had been busily on
gagged for she was sole mistress e.
that magnificent mansion. She was a
perfect and most gracious hostess
ladies of twice her age envied her "a 1T
and judgment on this Christmas eve.
She had found her powers fully taxed.
but she had also found herself equal
to the occasion. Still it was late
when she had gone to her dressing
her toilet had been hurried-ever Ter
own exquisite and fastidious taste vas
gratifed. The pale rose brocade
showed the white shoulders and grace
full neck; the white rounded arms
were clasped by a diamond bracelet
q necklace of the same costly jewels
adorned the beautiful neck, diamonds
shone in the masses of rich hair and
in the shell-ike ears.
Nevertheless, although she was one
of the proudest girls in England, She
thought more of the old earl's admir-
ton when she should see her in her
jewels than Of her own pleasure In
wearing them. She took the jeWelled
fan, the lace handkerchief, her
bouquet of flowers, and went to his
lDoIll, pllt VI lllV ltoi''hI piN'"' ~ W
girlish loneliness and womanly grace
ever seen. She laughed aloud-a low,
sweet, musical laugh-that seemed to
stir the old mans heart as she bowed
before him. and then she raised her
clear dark eyes to his.
DO you admire me, papa?'
"You are the queen of fair women
he said: and, she having taken his
arm, they went down the grand stair
case together.
There was slight murmur as they
entered the drawing-room. Lady
lanthe had never looked so beautiful
Lord Ravencourt FASTENED to meet
and greet her.
1t was easy enough to see then that
her words were true-of all the world
she loved her father the best No
lovers, no admirers, could draw her
attention from him Handsome young
faces, admiring eyes sued in vain.
Lord Rayencourt would have given
much for a tete-atete for a few
minutes, in which to whisper his ad-
miration; but he could not draw Lady
Ianthe from the old earls side
The great gong sounded, and thew
all went to the dning-room where the
grand Christmas banquet was spread
while Lady Ianthe did the hOno"S
with a winning, stately grace; and no
one knew, while Christmas greetings
and good wishes went around, how the
earl was praying in his heart that the
greatness of his anguish might not
slay him-,nat he might have strength
tc endure a little longer, for his
daughters sake No one knew how
he looked at her with the calmness of
deadly despair in his heart, The
anguish of mighty dread in his soul.
asking himself over and over again
how he was to tell her.
Presently he raised his white head
in wonder. What were they wishing
h.m? "A merry Christmas and a
happy new year." He thanked them.
in his courteous high-bred fashion
How could they know the terrible
death. wound that Christmas even had
brought him? "a happy new year.
4. A Al