Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-07

! her is true-she is one of the proudest
girls in England"
Lady Ianthe knocked gently at the
door of her fathers room.
Come I'M" called a faint voice.
She entered quickly, and fastened
to the dropping figure seated by the
| fire-an old man, with snow-White
hair, delicate, refined, aristocratic
face, and eyes dimmed with years and
cares. His trembling white hands
were clasped tightly when she entered
was it the shining freight, or were
there traces of tears on the worn face?
She knelt by his side, and clasped
her arms around him.
Dear father" she said, "they tell
me you are looking ILL., Do you feel
SOP"
I The sweet musical voice soothed
and charmed him He looked at the
beautiful, eager face.
GIL, my darling-ill on Christmas
eve? When you give your grand hall
do you think I would pay you SO
POOR a compliments"
! She looked wistfully into his face.
It grew calmer and steadier under her
gaze.
''You do not look ill.," she said;
"but there is something in the souno
of your voice that do not like. Are
you keeping anything from me-any
bad news, papa?"
"Bad news on Christmas eve! You
are joking, Ianthe. Who has brighten
ed you? Who has told you that I am
ill?"
MRS. Charles"
The earl interrupted her with a
laugh.
"That is because I sent to the
housekeeper's room for a strong
cordial" he said. "You may be quiet
at ease about me, Ianthe; am not
ILL., How do you like Lord Ravens
court, my darling?"
81 like him very we'll, though l had
not much time to spend with him. she
replied, evasively.
81 shall be well pleased observed
the old earl, eff you approve of aim,
Ianthe; he is wealthy, and his is one
of the Oldest titles in England. am
ambitious for you, but I think that I
should be content to see you LADY
Ravenscourt."
The fair, stately head was raised in
/ disdain.
81 am in no hurry to marry, papa;
I shall never love any one in the Fild
world so well as I love you"
The thin hands trembled as they
| rested on the proud head.
"Still, my darling, it would comfort
me: [ should like to know, when | am
called away, that I had left you in
safe hands. Try to like Lord Ravens
court if you can, Ianthe. Now it is
| time for you to dress. You will wear
the famous Care diamonds tonight.
It is your eighteenth birthday, and the
Ladies Care were always considered
of age at eighteen"
| Lady Ianthe smiled a grave, sweet
smile that softened her face into
startling loneliness.
ST came of age long ago, papa she
! said; ct can hardly believe that | am
| but eighteen. I have been mistress
| of Croombe abbey so long that | have
! forgotten what it was to be a chilE
:, You will be punctual, papa, for the
| dinner! No more dreaming over the
! fire! Shall I call Morgan?" she bent
down and kissed his face. ST wish,
she continued, laughingly, that
could kiss every line and every
wrinkle away from your face, papa
and make you quite young and hand
some again Remember, I am to be
the first to wish you happy Christ
mas. [ shall come to show you the
Care diamonds; you will wait here
for mes
In another minute she was gons
The old earl met her glance at me
door with smile, and then, when 'hf
door had closed, and he was alone,
look of almost CHASTITY fear came owe
his face.
GLOW shall I tell her?' he cried
wringing his hands. 'How shall
live through the mockery and deceit
How bear to see her surrounded
she will be this evening know IN
truth and yet not tell her!
His lips trembled, and he bowed nj
white head, as though the storms an
tempests of life had been too man
? for him.
''Not tonight" he said-"she sha
not know to night. She is so yo1n
and so happy, so beautiful anu 6
! proud she shall have this one nigh
: of perfect happiness, and tomorrow
will tell her ALL
: Half consoled, half suspicious, Lad
:, Tanthe had gone back to her dressln:
room: she knew her father so wei
she loved him so dearly, with sue
!, ntter and entire devotion, that it we
n hard to deceive her.
Gle does not look ILL., she sale
f ''but there, was something strange
his understanding I have new
> hoard before"