Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-01-09

night, Laura" the captain remarked.
She looked at him with a satisfied
smile.
The strangest part of it is she
said, that amongst them there is not
one thorn"
CHAPTER XIII
There was a faint murmur of admi-
ration as the beautiful mother and
daughter, accompanied by the gallant
captain, entered the ball room at Lady
Hotties.
Angela was soon surrounded by a
small and select group of the jeunesse
doree, to most of whom she was a
queen.
Lady Laura, after speaking to her
hostess, crossed the room with her,
and in doing so met Lady Kinloch
with Gladys Rane.
The meeting could not be avoided
even had Lady Laura wished it.
For a few minutes these two beautl-
full women, who were destined to
cross each others lives so fatally,
stood looking at each other,
each measuring the other
strength, the one triumphing in the
consciousness that she was loved, the
other triumphing in the knowledge
that she was a lawful wife.
Outwardly, everything was pleasant
and gracious; within, were the ele-
ments Of tragedy.
The men awarded the palm Of beau
ty to Lady Laura-for few under
stood the dark, passionate face OF
Gladys Rane. 1t never lighted to per
lection save for Vance Wynyard, and
none but he knew the full beauty of
the dark eyes and crimson tinted lips
1t was when the two women looked
steadily at each other that the soul
of each shone in their respective eyes
Il am his wife; he is mine forever
and ever!" could be read in Lady
LaUa's face
'He loves me-" shone in the dark
eyes of Gladys.
And then came another phase OF
Lady Laura's martyrdom. Hitherto ii
was from a distance that she had seen
her husbands devotion to Miss Rane
He was standing by his wife's side
now, when ne asked Gladys for hel
programme and begged to know how
many waltzes she would spare fol
him.
1t was Lady KinlOch who answered
| the question. She did not seem wei
| pleased with the captain, and, setting
aside his questionable conduct il
showing such marked preference fol
| her niece, Lady KinIOch considered
that it was for Gladly a waste Of time
to firt with man who already mac
| beautiful wife of his own.
"You must not expect to monOpolizf
my niece, Captain Wynyard, she said
in a clear voice; Miss Rane has
many friends in the room"
Lady Laura felt a glow of gratitude
toward this woman, whom she hat
never even liked before; but the cap
tain was not to be put down by 81
mild a protest He merely bowed Il
Lady Kinloch, and turned to Gladly;
with smile on his face.
"Monopoly is charming in such ;
case as this. There are plenty o
waltzes; may I have the first, LIZ
Berceuse'?'
Gladys blushed with delight unde1
the eyes of the two who were look
| ing on so coldly.
''You may have that and the third
! the 'ManOla.
Better give Captain Wynyard YOU
programme to fill at his pleasure
Gladys" said Lady Kinloch, satir
/ ically.
And the girls dark eyes, looking a
! him. said plainly: Il would if [ dared.
Lady Laura saw the look, and real
lied all that it conveyed.
Then the captain and Miss Rant
went to Join the dancers, leaving the
! two ladies together. Lady KinlOcl
would have made some remark as tC
| the captains conduct. but one look al
he pale face beside her disarmeC
her. She never forgot the yearnins
expression in her companions Wistfu
eyes. A few minutes later Lady
Laura was surrounded by little
court of admirers. She remembered
| her resolution, and she tried braveIy
to carry it out; but her heart gave
way, her wistful eyes turning ever tC
her husband. who seemed only happy
when with her rival
That night her partners wondered
what had befallen the lovely Lady
Laura. She talked, but it was easy
to see that she did not take any in
terest in what she was saying, and her
smiles were forced and cold. While
she danced and conversed her whole
heart and thoughts were with her hus-
l,G nd and her rival
To be continued.
LURED BY SCENT.