Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER XVIII.

happiness or heightened by sorrow,
but Leah Hatton kept an account of
the hours. All that was taking place
was a dream to her; the only effort
she could make was to prevent other
people from guessing her secret.
He had come-the fairy prince who
was to wake her from hGT long sleep;
but the world need not know it-must
not know it, 1t would think her mad
this wary, keen, wise old world
that laughs at the sweet foIlies OF
youth
She had surrendered her mind to
host Of beautiful but unreal fanciesi
they had made the brightest part Of
her life TO any other than herself
Lhey would have seemed absurd; yet
she had firm lann in them. She Lc-
lieved In this ideal lover Of hers, who
was looking for her in the world just
as she was waiting for him. She had
nursed herself in the belief that she
would recognize him the moment she
saw him, and it seemed TO her that
she had done so,
Hundreds Of handsome faces had
passed before her eyes, but not one
had touched her heart until now.
when she saw Sir BaBiIs she reCog.
nized It; n strange, magnetic in
nuence seemed to come over her; in
the depths Of her heart she said to
herself; II have met my fate" But
now she must hide her secret, lest
the laughing wicked world should be
amused by it. She never thought OF
Sir Bas's part in the matter
whether he shared her feelings and
lancles, she was too much cngrossod
with her own
The day went on and she spent al.
most every moment Of 1t with him
lovely day, that grew brighter ana
ialror with every hour that passed.
That evening she stood in her
dresslng-room, the pretty Partisan
maid looked at her in something like
wonder, Miss IIatton had most
exquisite taste, and liked always to
bo well dressed; but on this oven
ing 1t seemed as If it were impossible
to please her. Dress after dress was
discarded she could not choose her
jewels.
Take those diamonds away she
said, and the superb suite OF rubies
and pearls were not pleasing to her
On tho toilet table, intormixcd with
crystal ana silver and riChly-cut
Bohemian glass, were some clusters
of scarlet passion.nowers She would
Tho parIslonno sighed. They
would look very beautiful, but they
would give her an immense deal Of
trouble
Leah had II fancy that she would
Hike to be dressed after the fashion
of her picture; but the black velvet
looked to warm and heavy for this
bright summer night. At last she
chose a dress of whito shining silk,
soft and fine, and with it she wore
nothing but passon.nowors. They
crowned her dark, beautiful head.
ana glowod like danes against her
white neck, great trailing sprays
fastened the folds of her dress.
They look far moro beautiful than
jewels said the maid but will they
live madam
They will live as long as | noou
them answered Leah. It seemed to
her that the flowers she wore to
please him could never die.
i think madam said the maid.
as she arranged tho tail pyschc
mirror iii you will look now. You
Will Lo pleased"
Pleased? She flushed crimson MS
she saw the reelection Of her own
most radiant beauty, She was glad
to be beautiful, she rcioicod in her
own lovolnoss. The dart, waves OF
ripping hair with their crown of
scarlet flowers, the exquisite face
with Its fair bloom the white grace.
full throat and white shoulders. the
perfect arms and hands. the figure
SO ropleto with sweet stately, subtle
grace gave her infinite delight She
was child enough to kiss the warm,
white arms, and to smile at the
picture In her mirror.
u wonder" she said to herself "ir
he win find me rair?"
lH'I' were Sllll some minutes he
fore the second bell would ring; she
would not so down until the flush
had departed from her checks and
the sweet happy expression of her
eyes told less or the duchess would
soon discover her secret. She look
ed from her open window to the run.
ming river and snatchcs Of song rose
to her lips. She could have nncied
that even the river knew what had
happened today the waters laughed
aud flashed in the setting sun. oh,
happy day, day to be remembered.
for It stood out from her life as
bright star in the dark sky!
THE sixth of August" she said to
herself; q shall never forget the
date. have boon in the world
twenty-five years. but have never
lived until today"
Then tho bell rang, and she went
down into the drawing More
than one present drow a deep breath