Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-02-19

you must not wear 1t till we are
married" he said; that would be I'M
lucky"
He watched her, as with a happy
smile, she placed the ring in the case
and then closed It.
A few days after that they were in
London; and Leahs heart beat more
quickly and lightly when she thought
Of the treasure hidden in the jewel
case"
CHAPTER XIV.
The season was a brilliant one.
The news Of Miss Hatton's engage
ment was received by some wlCh
plasure, Ly others with annoyance.
Those who had known her before
saw "A wonderful change in her; the
restless expression had gone from
her face and in its place reigned per
feet calm. No one could look at her
and not know that she was happy
beyond words. In time the crowd Of
"fashionablcs" grew accustomed to
seeing Sir Basil always by her side;
ever her admirers accepted the stua-
ton and resgncdly took the second
place.
Sir Basil tried by most assiduous
attention to make up for any short
He was LEANS shadow. Every day
brought her flowers, books, music,
presents Of every kind, from one who
externally was the most devoted Of
! lovers. There were times when he
almost believed himself to be one Of
I the happiest men living, when he
was lost in wonder at the prize he
! had won, and tried to assure him
| self that there was nothing left for
| him to desire. Yet he knew that the
! depths of his heart had never been
stirred, that ne was capable Of a
deeper, far greater love than this;
his heart had never yet beaten the
quicker for any word Of LCah's; he
! had Il kindly affection for her-that
was all He would have given her
the love Of his manhood If he cOulu
have done SO; but she had failed to
! touch his heart. She would never
! know it, He would make her happy,
/ he could crown her life, and she
| should never suspect that he had not
loved her with Is whole heart and of
his own free will. 1t did not occur
to him that it was a dangerous thing
| to marry without love. no matter how
I great the temptation might be; he
+ forgot that few mon pass through life
| without such touch of the great
fever called love, nor did he reflect
| that the foyer might awake in his
! heart when It was all too late, Leah S
! beauty delighted him, her grace and
! brillianCy fascinated him, he re-
| ioicod in the admiration that her
! lovolincss excited, but it was not
Ga2cd upon her; and she was too
much cngrossod in her own love and
happiness to notice any failure III
| him.
one evening, by some mtschancc,
Sir Basil had been unable to accom-.
pany Leah to the thCatcr, and she
! had gone with the Duchess of
/
koSod"he' IT was TO see lNEmaII"h
and Galatca.'
by some strange fortune Hettio
I was in the thcatcr that night Martin
Ray had long loen ailtng, and had
lived for the last two years in the
country. lie had como up to town
ON business, and. for his own com.
forts sake, he ha dborught Hottie with
him The landlady of the house
whore he was staying happened t.
have some tickets sent to her. and
She begged Miss Ray to accept one
IIcttie, who seldom had any kind OF
enjoyment. whose life was one
monotouous round Of duty. was eager
to avail herself of II. Martin RAY
raised no objection; he would y,
busy aat evening with his com
panions. and she could please herself
Hottie was dclightcd She had
grown into a lovely girl She hat
not the briuiancy of Leah. she had
mot her fire or passion. she lacked
thor spirit and daring put she was