Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-01-02

10" / FEAR MS IOFS II Slipping dh d.
from me"
we are going TO Italy in September
mamma, and there will be no GIadys
IRanc there to cause you pain" said An
gela. comfortingly.
rs she so much more beautiful than
! am. Angelo" asked Lady Laura.
The girl looked at her mothers
graceful figure. her golden hair, her
white, slender neck, her blue eyes and
lovely features. Could any woman be
more beautiful? The dark, fascinating
! face Of Gladys Rane rose before her.
1T is no question Of more or less
! beauty, mamma" she replied. you
differ as a red rose from white one.
| She is not one whit more fair than
you"
Then it is not by her beauty that
Vance is attracted" said Lady Laura.
II wonder, Angel, if | were to try
! to be brighter, to amuse him mOre---I
begin to see that men require a great
deal of amusement-wOuld that win
bacl- his lOve?"
Angca'S heart sank when she heard
the simple question. She knew so well
that her step-father had never loved
her mother. and that now the fleeting
fancy was dead, nothing her mother
could do would win the love she Gov
cted.
you are always bright and beauti-
full, mamma" she said. "Any one who
could not be happy and content WIN
you deserves neither happiness nor
content"
But, though she tried to speak cheer
fully, Angela's heart was heavy with
dread Of the coming sorrow.
CHAPTER XXI.
Attached to Rood House was an old
fashioned garden; and one morning in
June Captain VINEYARD sat near the
white syrnga trees, then in full bloom
He was cOmplacently smoking a cigar,
and the Morning Post lay carelessly
spread across his knees. The air was
full Of the scent of roses; the sun was
lighting up the brilliant flowers and
wealth of foliage, and the captain was
in an excellent humOr. He had before
him the happy prospect Of spending
the whole afternoon with Gladys Rane.
They were all going to a garden party
at Marlborough house. and he knew that
among such large company as was
certain to be there he would be able
to mOnOpOlize her. Supreme content
was written on his handsome face as
he contemplated the happiness in store
for him. He had been thinking OF
what might have been if he had been
rich enough to marry Gladys Rane, ana
the happiness shining in his face
showed that his thoughts were not un-
pleasant ones.
Presently shadow fell across the
turf, and he looked up to see the fair
face and golden head of his wife. Any
other man must have found her mex
prcssibIy fair; her white morning dress
with it's rich laCes and blue ribbons,
sweeping the grass in graceful folds;
an exquisite bloom. brought by the
fresh morning air, Frightening her
face. knot of roses at her throat.
She had tried to look her best, so that
she might please his eyes and win a
few words of affection from him. But
his face darkened as his eyes rested
en- her. and he looked anything but
pleased at the interruption.
What a lovely morning, Vance.
She began You look the picture OF
luxurious idleness.'
Il do not feel very miserable he
responded but no light came into his
eyes when he saw her. He was tired
Of her soft loneliness.
Lady Laura stood by him in silence
for few moments. while he took up
the paper and began to read, ignoring
her presence altogether.
Vance" she said, gently. IF YOU are
not particularly engaged will you give
me five minutes of your time?"
And considering all that she had be
slowed upon him. she felt that it was
not too much to ask,
He sighed. and resigned himself with
as much grace as he could to listen TO
what she had to say.
What is it. Laura? \ tonet from
WOrth's. a costume for Marlborough
house? Something very important,
see from your face"
There was a ring of satire in his
voice which reached even the heart of
the woman who loved him so we'll.
Nay, Vance; l like nice dresses, but
my mind is not so entirely absorbed
in them as to leave ME nothing else to
speak of. 1t is about yourself that l
wish TO speak" Then a sudden hest
tation came over her. and a fear lest
she should dispiease him seized her,
and almost silenCed the words on her
lips
Me-" he questioned. Why. Laura
what can you have to say about me?"
Il will tell you" she answered. Il
have not been very happy lately
Vance; my heart has ached until - las
grown heavy within me. and tears
come more naturally to me now than
smiles
He moved impatiently in his chair,
but spoke no word. He had a shrewd
suspicion of what was coming.
Il do not think" she continued, that
any wife could love her husband with
deeper, truer love than I give to you"
He smiled complacently. What less
royal gift than perfect love could be
given to him?
And /" she went on. expect the
same love from you; and she added,
1