Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-07-24

not apologize-he would not call thai
boyish, earnest, passionate love all
impertinence. Did she remember it?
He must know; it might pain him %
discover that she still resented the
love verses--it might pain him to find
that she had forgotten them-but any
! thing was better than indifference.
After time the earl came in. and
he shook hands warmly with both
| gentlemen. There was something CT
| trepidation in his manner as he spoke
| to Herman Culross-a shadow of
| dread which his daughter observed
with surprise. Then dinner was ali.
nounced and they went to the dining,
room.
Lady Ianthe adhered most strictly to
the letter Of her word. She was
civil" to Mr.. CORRESPONDING more
If, from any need or obligation, her
father had invited one of the neigh
boring tradesmen to dine, she would
have been just as civil. With a
courteous smile she acknowledged
every remark Herman Culross adj
dressed to her-yet that very smile
seemed to widen the distance between
them. She never voluntarily adj
dressed him, except when her
Iosition as hostess obliged her. She
did not neglect one trivial act OF
courtesy, yet, when they rose from
dinner, Herman felt as though a
frozen ocean lay between them. He
would bridge it over, he said to him
self, let it be as deep and cold anu
hardly frozen as it might
Then, after dinner, the earl and his
solicitor had q game at ecarte. Lord
Care would not breach business that
evening. He had asked Mr.. Culross
II he played at chess, adding that if
he did so, he would find an able op.
ponet in Lady Ianthe. Herman was
only too delighted to draw the little
chess table near the fire; he placed an
easy chair and footstool for her. She
thanked him with courteous gravity |
and they sat down together.
They had played for an hour, anu
dlltl ludI Jlcl HAL pdlu w hllI6Nll
that he must know whether she re-
membered his boyhood love. He look
ed at her; the fair, highbred face was |
bent over the board, her white hands |
lightly touched the chessmen, there |
was no indication of the faintest
consciousness of his presence. Sud
denly he took courage.
Lady Ianthe" he said, Il trust by |
this time you have forgiven my boz
ish indiscTetion."
The proud, serene eyes looked in
differently at him
ut would be ungenerous to re-
member Ine faults of the boy again u
the man. she said, calmly. 81 nave
forgiven It,"
The reply silenced Herman for
time. Then she had considered his
love fault--a fault, that impetuous,
honest worship which he had lavished
on her! 1t was rather hard. He re-
covered after awhile.
you must have thought me very
presumptuous," he said
81 beg your pardon, it is your
move not mine. Presumptuous? No,
| did not think of you at all"
Again Herman sank back silenccd.
She had not even found it worth
while to be angry. She had simply |
ignored him. He would not be
daunted.
ut was a terrible blow to my
vanity" he continued, rashly. 81
thought my poor verses very fair"
"Did you? Your queen is in danger
Mr.. Culross." The calm pride of ler
perfect repose was not to be dis
posed
"If | were a wise man" thought |
Herman, 81 should say no more; but |
am not wise, and | know | shall
commit myself If she would but look |
at me-even II angrily-I should not |
care"
But he found himself suddenly |
checkmated, and the game ended; and |
then Lady Ianthe rose and said
Good evening"
She went to her room, quite pleased |
with herself and her own efforts. She |
had been very civil to her fathers
guest.
To be continued.