Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-02-02
Continued.


was the love he had never appreciated,
never even understood. How strong,
and deep and terrible it must be thus
to torment one on whom the brightest
gifts of earth had been lavished. He
forgot the Indian news-all that had
interested and puzzled him. So this
was Leah's secret-she loved Sir
Basil, and he did not love her!
Poor child, poor child" muttered
the general. How distressed she
was. No wonder she loves him; he
is the finest young fellow I have ever
met. Any woman might love him. The
wonder is why he does not love her.
Perhaps" thought the simple old
soldier, "he is like me. I did not IN
derstand such things until they were
pointed out to me. | should never
have proposed to dear Lady Bourgoyne
if Major WrattIe had not told me that
she loved the very ground I stood up
on After that it was plain sailing.
1t may be the same with Sir Basil.
Something must be done. 1t is a sad
thing when girls lose their mothers;
it is only women who understand each
other If Doris we're here, she would
know what to do
His heart was heavy. He had meant
this girls lot to be so fair, and she
was so unhappy. He grew nervous at
the thought of meeting her again;
but to his surprise, when he saw her
at the luncheon table, there were no
traces of sorrow on her beautiful face
She looked colder and prouder than
sickness about her
''Who can understand women?" said
Sir Arthur, appealing to some in
visible power. They were beyond him
altogether.
CHAPTER XXI.
The general was greatly perplexed
and quite at a loss what to do. At
first he thought he would consult the
duchess, who appeared to him to be a
compedium Of all worldly knowledge,
but he soon dismissed that idea. 1t
would be a betrayal Of a secret that
he had discovered himself only by
chance. During the next few days he
he had the key. he understood the
enigma Of her conduct better. He
saw how completely engrossed she
was in her IOve-that she seemed to
have no thought, no interest, no care
outside it. 1t would be in every re-
spect most eligible match, thought
the general. The two estates would
become one, and Sir Basil would make
name for himself. They were both
young, handsome, gifted. What a pity
that Sir Basil did not fall in love with
the girl who was so devoted to him!
Leah came down one morning look
ing pale and tired; she had not slept
during the night, and the dark eyes
we're languid and shaded. Sir Arthur
grew alarmed and anxious about her.
He wanted to take her out for a drive,
but she declined going. She admitted
that she was not well. He proposed
that he should take her into the woods,
or for a walk down to the sea; but the
sun was hot-she would not venture.
The general was greatly disturbed.
The duchess found him wandering
uneasily up and down the terrace.
you are looking very grave this
morning, Sir Arthur" she said. MAY
l venture to ask what occupies your
thoughts?'
u am thinking about subjects that
do not in the least understand" he
answered. 1T seems to me that even
after so many years experience,
know but little of life. Tell me,
duchess-you understand matters-do
girls ever really suffer and die from
Iove?"
The duchess started. Had he, too
found out the secret that she had dis
covered?
Yes" she answered, 81 think they
do sometimes die of love. Not often;
there are exceptional cases, as there
are exceptional natures"
His face, cleared a little.
1T is not the kind of thing you
would expect from sensible girl?" he
interrogated.
mo" replied tie duchess; cit is the
last thing that would happen to a SEN
sibIe girl
1LC save O. 81 cat S15h VI 1S4AS1'
"And yet you think there are girls
who would really die if they were what
is called crossed in lover"
YES" said the duchess, 81 do
think so. If a girl is full Of romance
and poetry, and throws her heart and
soul into her love, the consequences
are likely to be serious if matters do
not progress smoothly"
There was little comfort to be
gained from this--for Leah he knew,
was visionary and romantic.
1T seems to me-" he said gently,
that such love causes more pain than
pleasure"
Il think it does" agreed the duchess.
Then she went away. She would
say no more; it did not seem to her
either fair or honorable that they
should discuss the secret which both