Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-04-16

all thess things made her wonder
fully and unutterably happy.
Sir Basil's heart was moved when
he looked at her; she so we'll de.
served the greatest love that any
man could give her. And he? All. If
Heaven would but take from him the
memory of the pale sweet face
drowned in tears. If he could forget
that for one half-hour in his life he
had known what true happiness was,
After dinner, under the pretense OF
looking at an accumulation of bust
ness letters, but in reality to indulge
in ten minutes slumber, the general
went for half an hour to his study,
and Leah and Sir Basil were left to.
gether A sense of the cruel wrong
that a loveless marriage would be to
her. came over the baronet; and he
vowed to himself that he would
make amends to her by increased
| kindness, by studying her wishes in
every way. He little dreamed how
clearly the eyes of love saw H
would put an end to all doubts at
once; better a thousand times to fix
his chain SO tightly that he could
not even move it.
Leah was standing against the
carved mantelpece in the drawing.
room; a bright fire burned in the
CRATE, the lamps were lighted, and
halfsolden radiance from them filled
70
head with its crown of rich dark
hair, on the beautiful face thar was
TRANSPORTED with love and happiness.
and on the white graceful throat and
rounded arms. The fine white lace
swept the floor. A prince might have
wife; her beauty and grace would
nave charmed any man. Perhaps
out of the whole wide world, this
man who was to marry her was the
only one who would have looked on
her loneliness without emotion.
He went up to her, and put his
arm round her waist He was not
given To caressing, and Leah raised
her face with an expression OF halt
amused wonder
II want to ask YOU question
Leah" he said. gently, What day
shall we choose for our wedding-day?
shall leave it entirely to you, dear
he continued I'VE arranged that
the wedding should take place in the
sprins-in what month shall it be-"
Something in his tone arrested her
attention; his voice was not musical
with love, hut earnest, as though he
weighed each syllable. She looked
at him keenly; he was cain, with
thoughtful expression on his face;
there was no rapture, no warmth.
She could not tell why, but in that
moment her heart chuICd; then she
repruached herself for X He could
give her no greater proof of love
than this-that he asked her to be
his wife. Why should she find fault |
with the manner OF his asting? Yet
she wished that there had been
more passion in his words.
May marriages are unluc'W, so
people say" he continued The
NlplNlS blpolIl anu llIt llttS DtGlu W |
bud in April Shall it be in April !
Leah ?"
She put her arms around his necK |
and raised her face to his; the love |
that shonC in her eyes might have
melted n heart of stone.
Are you quite sure that you wish
1t then, Basil?' she asked, anXiously +,
Il am quite sure" he replied with |
more firmness and greater tender
ness.
Then 1t shall be just as you will" |
she replied; and they parted that
night with the distinct understanding !
that the marriage was to take place !
in April.
You have the wedding ring, /
Leah" said Sir Basil.
YES, have it in safe-kcepng,
She replied, with a happy smile.