Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-28

not apologize-he would not call thar
boyish, earnest, passionate love ali
impertinence Did she remember it ?
He must know; it might pain him 70
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 a 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 all
nounced, and they went to the dining,
room.
Lady Ianthe adhered most strictly to
the letter of her word. She was
"civiP' 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 ad-
dressed to her-yet that very smile
seemed to widen the distance between
them. She never voluntarily adj
dressed him, except when her
POSITION 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. H.
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 a game at ecarte. Lord
Care would not breach business that
evening. He had asked Mr.. Culross
if he played at chess, adding that, If
he did so, he would find an able OBJ
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
after that Herman said to himself
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, II trust by
this time you have forgiven my boy
ish indiscretion."
The proud, serene eyes looked in
differently at him.
cit would be ungenerous to re-
member me faults of the boy again II
the man." she said, calmly. Il nave
forgiven it."
The reply siIenced Herman for a
time. Then she had considered his
love fault-a fault, that impetuous,
honest worship which he had lavished
on her! It was rather hard. He re-
covered after awhile.
"You must have thought me very
presumptuous," he said.
ST beg your pardon, it is your
move, not mine. Presumptuous? No
I did not think Of you at all"
Again Herman sank back silenced
She had not even found it worth
while to be angry. She had simply
ignored him. He would not be
daunted.
'It was a terrible blow to my
vanity he continued, rashly. q
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.
eff I were wise man." thought
Herman, st should say no more; but
I am not wise, and know l shall
commit myself. If she would but look
at me-even if 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.