Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-14
Continued

grand old walls of Croombe abbey
seemed to re-echo with mirth and
amusement. The old earl saw that
Lord Ravencourt paid his daughter
great attention; but he could not see
that his beautiful Ianthe was more
gracious to him than to others. Once
she refused to join in the dance but
came instead, and stood by his side
He looked at her-the light in her
jewels was not so bright as the light
in her eyes. Her dress Of pale rich
rose fell round her in graceful folds
her fan, made of the rich plumage of
some tropical bird, was opened, and
held against her white breast--her
lovely face was flushed with girlish
happiness and delight.
"Ianthe," he said, quietly, II think
you are very happy
She raised her radiant eyes to his
Happy, papa! This is sman
word to express what l feel. / am
wonderfully harDy. I would not
change places with any one in the
wide world"
81 wonder" he said eff you could
tell me what makes you happy?"
She laughed, and the light cleaned
in her jewels.
81 can give you faint idea," she
replied "I am happy because I love
you and have in you one of the
dearest of fathers-my ideal gentle
man. | am happy because l belong to
a grand old race, on whose name there
has never rested a stain, on whose
shield there has been no blot, md
because am what all the Cares are
pleasant to see, because I am young,
and my life, all full of bright pos
Sibilities, lies before me-
The least CLEAN of mischief came
into her eyes, and she looked at him
with bright smile.
"I am happy, too, because am queen
of myself and all that surrounds me
also because my heart is light and
free. Are those reasons sufficient,
papa?"
more than enough" he replied;
and then, as she went away, he asked
himself how he was to take tins
sparkling cup Of life from her lips
how he was to change her innocent
gladness into deepest misery. From
his lips came the prayer:
ooh, Heaven, help me to bear my
sorrow, or save me from it!''
Once again he looked at his child
as she stood where the light of large
chandelier fell full upon her; and he
said to himself it would be easier
much easier-to place her in her
coffin and kiss her dead lace than to
tell her what he had to tell. Yet it
must be told, and the time was draw
ing very near
The ball was over at last, and tha
guests wearied with pleasure, had
driven home under the light of the
Christmas moon; the lights had been
extinguished-th mantle of darkness
and silence had fallen over Croombe
abbey. Lady Ianthe slept, dreaming
OF jewels and flowers and sweet
whispered words; but the earl pa1e1
to and fro-wringing his hands-wtth
bitter signs that ended in low broken
wailing. He wandered with light IN
his hand to the great picture gallery.
and stood before the portrait of his
dead father He placed the taper on
the ground, and looked up at the face
so noble and so stern.
What have l done with it," he
cried, wringing his hands-'this fair
inheritance-this spotless name
what have I done with it? I am the
last Of my race, but have been toe
first to act dishonorably. 1t will le
said that l was weak and easily
tempted-that 1 could not distinguish
rogues from honest men, They will
brand by name as name has never
been branded before. They will say
Maurice, the eleventh earl, left his
family name ruined-left, in fact, less
than nothing. Yet I meant to add So
much to the glory of my name. WhaC
have l done? Oh, Heaven, what have
l done?"
1t was pitiful to see the old man
fall down before his fathers picture
burying his face in his hands, weep ,ng
aloud and praying Heaven to pardon
him.
Then he rose. Christmas morning
had broken; the light of the moon
and the stars had given place to the
early dawn; the sky was gray, 1ne
frost had deepened. He must not be
found there by his servants; they
would know soon enough what a.
happened. Let him save his credit
while he could. He went back to his
own room, carefully closing the door.
The day had dawned-the day on
which he had to tell her-to strike
with his own hands all the brightness
and light from his daughters life IF
he could but avert the blow He
knew that the worst of the evil must
fall on his beautiful daughter; and
how would she, one of the proudest
girls in England, bear the shame?
1t was easy to see that he came Of
a heroic race-a race whose sons lad
high hearts and noble souls, who