Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-07-06

but so falsely happy. She stood for
some time on the terrace where the
passion-fiowers grew-the spot where
she had seen her lover first, and
where her heart had gone out TO him.
She kissed the bare brown branches.
They would live again; they would be
Oenone, recalling every word that had
flowers when leaves and flowers
should gladden. her eyes no more.
She kissed the picture face of
lAenone, recalling eyrey word that had
been spoken between Sir Basil and
herself on that day when they had
stood in front of it. II was like part
ing with a living friend. She stretch
ed out her hands with a great cry
when she took her last look round the
room where she had spent such happy
hours. All earth AMI air seemed burn
ing fire. Oh for rest, for change, for
the coldness even Of the grave?
Those who saw Miss Hatton's face
when she left Brentwood never forgot
il.
IL was a strange journey TO Dover.
Sir Arthur was the only one who
talked. Hettie avoided either looking
at or speaking 70 Sir Basil, and Leah
could have laughed in bitter amuse-
ment at the scene. Sir Arthur spoke
of his niece return, of the mar
riage, Of Glen, of Basil in parliament,
and saw nothing wrong.
They stood together on the deck at
last. a blue sky above them, the sun
shining on the white cliffs of Dover
and on the sea. which was almost as
smooth as a mirror.
Sir Arthur took Hettie 10 the other
side OF the vessel.
They will have so much to say to
each other; lovers always have. We
will leave them alone, Kettle"
So they stood side by side, the
deathly pallor Of Leah's face hidden
BY her veil. A terrible calm had
fallen over her. She loved Sir Basil
still with her whole heart; she could
have knelt down there, and have
covered his hands with burning kisses
and burning tears. She held them
for a moment in a close grasp. while
she looked in his face for the last
time. The solemn shadow of eternity
lay over her.
He was telling her something about
Glen and about parliament. She did
not hear the words. To her the
moment was solemn, as though her
soul were on her lips. and her eyes
were fixed on his with a strained,
lingering gaze. How wei she had
loved him! And he had cared moth
ing or her: he had preferred
some one else. He was asking her
If she was sorry TO leave him, and
she was unable 70 answer him. The
white lips were quite stiff and cold
Then there came a shout from the
sailors. All was in readiness; those
who were for shore must leave. The
moments were numbered; her eyes
never left him, her hand still held his.
Il must 60" he said. "Goodby,
Leah"
He bent down and kissed her lips.
He started TO find them so cold.
"Goodby," he repeated. "A pleas
ant, prosperous journey, Leah, and a
happy return"
"Goodby, Basil; gOodby, my love"
she said: and the next moment she
was looking over the waters alone.
The rest of the Journey was like
dream TO her, and she never awoke
from II until she stood in the salon
Of the villa at Mentone, and saw the
duchess regarding her with fearful
eyes.
Great Heaven" she cried, this is
not Leah; this is a shadow. / thought
1t was Hettie who had been ill.,"
so IL was. l have not been i'll"
said a voice which the duchess hardly
recognized as Leah's. 4 am well;
hut my journey has tired me-"
What can be the matter? What
has gone wrong in the girls life?"
thought the kindly woman. The
only thing that she reminds me Of is
flower broken by a tempest"
When chante gave her a few
minutes alone with the general, she
turned 10 him with an anxious face.
Sir Arthur" she said, abruptly.
What has happened TO Ieah?"
ITO Leah? Nothing" he replied.
Nothing" said the duchess. Are
you blind, that you cannot see? She
has death in her face"
My dear duchess, you exaggerate,"
answered Sir Arthur, laughing. she
has not been well lately; she has
tired herself by nursing Hettie. Be.
sides. the journey has been a trying
one" #
Nonsense" said the duchess.
THAT will not account for the change
Tell me-for am her best friends
all rignt between Leah and Sir
Basl?"
Yes. The wedding has been de-
layed on account of Hettie's illness,
hut Leah does rot mind il. Basil
would have been with rs now but for
the parliamentary business"
And you are quite certain that
there has been no misunderstanding
between them?" pursued the duchess.
ssra~fafn9 Most aSSurndlyi Basil