Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-12-08
would do anything, %


for your friend. L like him i'm
mensely. But 1 have promised so
much for the girl-to chaperon her, to
present her; and, if she should not
be just what | like it, it will be aWlz-
ward"
The duke assured her that she
might rest content.
The next day she went over to
Brentwood. Any fear she might have
had was dissipated by the sight OF
the face and figure Of Leah. Her
manner was simply perfection. She
showed no over delight, yet she was
most attentive and polite to the
duchess. She allowed her to see that
she felt her visit to be a great honor,
yet that, while she acknowledged it,
she was in no way unduly elated over
it. The duchess was charmed with
her. She thought Leah one of the
most beautiful and graceful girls she
had ever seen. She was struck by her
face There was more than mere
beauty; passion, poetry, and eloquence
were in it. She marVelled at LEANS
grace, her good breeding, her accom-
plishments, and her refined education.
graceful or better fitted to take u
high position in society. Il shall be
proud of her, though the duchess;
sit will be difficult to surpass her." It
was not often that her Grace Of Rose
dene deigned to Chaperon any young
lady; but when she did it was done
effectually.
She watched Leah with keen eyes.
Every gesture, every pose, every word
pleased her. "She should marry
WE'LL" thought the duchess. There
will not be another face like hers
next season. Yet, beautiful as it
was, there was something in it's ex-
preston which the duchess did not
quite understand the dawn of restless
passion, the longing that could never
| be gratifed, the story that could never
| be told. "She is not like other girls,
thought her grace; what satisfies
them will never content her. There
is something like a longing for the
infinite in those dark eyes of hers"
4
/ Arthuris luxurious drawing-room, sur
rounded by everything most costly
and lovely, looking into the fair, proud
face Of Leah Hatton, there came to
the duchess foreboding that made
her grow faint and pale with fear.
They were delighted with each
other. The duchess pressed Leah to
go over to Craig on the following day.
Il am sorry" she remarked, that
we are not remaining longer in the
neighborhood; but, go where we will,
you must remember our compact. We
are to be friends always. Do not for
get that [ am to be your social god
mother, and that next season | am
to present you. l predict for you
grand success
| The duchess added how delighted
she would be if, in the winter months,
Leah could join them in a trip she
, and her husband intended taking to
! Rome.
That same evening the duke, enter
! ing his wifes boudoir, found her
standing against the window, looking
thoughtfully out on the tall, spread
ing trees. She did not see him or
hear him, and started violently when
he laid his hand upon her shoulder
What are you thinking about,
, Muriel?" he asked. 81 do not often
! find you meditating."
| She looked up at him gravely.
Il am thinking she said, about
Leah Hatton's eyes,"
what is the matter with them?''
he asked, laughing. 81 saw nothing
, wrong"
"There is nothing wrong she re-
piled. '"They are the most beautiful
eyes l have ever seen. Do you re-
member that superb heartsease OF
which Hawkins, the gardener, was so
proud? 1t was not black, but rather
rich dark purple with a CLEAN of
gold in it. Her eyes are of just such
color. I thought of the heartsease
the moment I saw them. Yet it was
not the color, rare and perfect
I though it be, that struck me the most;
it was the expression. I am quite
sure, Harry, that she will have no
common fate.''
! my dear Muriel," said the duke,
'you are surely not growing roman
tic?"
mo, I am not; but there is some
! thing in the expression of the girls
eyes-a passionate longing; I wonder
for what-whether for happiness, for
wealth, for honors, or for lover"
'Do you not class happiness and
, love together?" asked the duke.
mot in her case, I'm sure!' cried
! the duchess. eff ever that girl loves,
it will be with her whole heart; and
you know my belief on that point
any woman who loves with her whole
heart suffers the direst pain with the
most exquisite bliss. To be really
| comfortable in this life, there must be
no grand passions"
Perhaps you are right" replied the
duke. "For steady wear in the long