Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-12-24

world would have laughed at him, as
all worldly women did, Beatrice Leigh
would have made use of his homage,
turning it to her own greater honor
and glory, hut L.adv Selwyn was scar
ed at it. She took it all seriously
believing every sigh, every idle word
every regretful look, until she grew
miserable over what was to every one
else an idle Jest,
How can he, how dare he, speak
and look at me 500" she would ash
herself All, he sees am not in my
place. or he would never dare TO dc
it,"
And to Lord Vivian's infinite annoy
anee she took to avoiding Lord Bale
cares whenever she could In vain
her husband told her it was all non,
sense; that sensible people only laugh,
ed at Lord BaleCa-res; that no one
thought him worth notice. He could
not make her more reasonable. Beat
rice Leigh laughed with q supercilious
sneer; Mrs, Selwyn wished her daugh-
ter,in-law had more tact, and visitors
amused themselves by heartlessly
watching the course OF events,
Men love honor more in the world
lived in" she said one day to Miss
Leigh. They are not SO refined, per
haps, as the men of your world, but
they call things by their right names
They do not make love to their neigh
bors' wives"
by which you mean there is more
morality in the middle than in the
higher classes" said Miss Leigh, with
the languid Indifference that always
overawed Lady Violante, Neither
plebian vice, nor plebian virtue inter
ests me much. As for making love
that is too stronge term; Lord Bale
cares will never love any one but
himself. The ridiculous compliments
he pays you mean less than nothing"
Then why trouble me with them?
she retorted Il care for no compli
ments except from my husband
"Vivian will not thank you for max
ing a modern Darby and Joan of your
self and him In the world we must
do as the world does" said Miss Leigh
Avoidance was an incentive that my
lord had never met with before He
did admire Lady Violante-"there was
no nonsense about it'-but he liked
her very much, and as a necessary
consequence the less she seemed to
care for him, the more he cared for
her.
One evening, dinner was over, and
the visitors had all assembled in the
drawing-room. Lady Talmis was sing
ing, and had drawn together a charm
ed audience Some of the elders were
at whist, others at chess. Lady Vic
lante. only too happy TO see every one
engaged, and to find herself at leisure
had taken up her station by the side OF
small table, 1t was lighted by a
gorgeous lamp, and covered with
choice engravings, She looked very
lovely that evening, in q dress of pur
pie velvet. made so as to reveal the
exquisite beauty and fairness of heI
neck and shoulders. She wore some
magnificent diamonds. that shone like
flame on her white breast. Many eyes
were turned to that fair, girlish figure
and the serene lovelineSs of the young
face.
She was joined there in few min
utes by Beatrice Leigh who wished to
arrange about some dancing. Before
they had been talking two minutes
Lord Balecarres Joined them.
Il hope | am not intruding," he said
but | remained at the other end of
the room until could bear it no long.
err May sit here, Lady SelwynT'
A woman of the world would have
had her answer ready; a few bright
quick, witty words, a slight exchange
of repartee, and all would have ended,
Violante's face flushed. She was at a
loss what to say,
Then my lord drew from his pocket
book a small folded envelope,
See, Lady Violante," he said; Il
have copied these verses for you
She would have liked best not to
notice 1t, but he held up the paper
and she was compelled to take 1t.
They are love verses" he said
sentimentally; but Lady VioIantc put
an end to his sentiment by tearing the
envelope in two d throwing 1t away
1t was not perhaps very well.bred, II
was certainly not polite, but 1t was
the action of an honest-hearted girl
tired of silly compliments.
Lord Balecarres looked up suddenly
with CLEAN of animation on his hand.
some inane face.
That is too cruel" he said What
have my poor little verses done, Lady
Violante? All ] see. | am intruding
You will be kinder to me tomorrow
perhaps"
He turned away, and Beatrice, with
naughty. cold face and curling lips
looked down on the flushed features OF
the young girl.
To be continued.