Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-01-05
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
Half an hour passed, and they were
still talking under the veranda on the
western terrace. 1t seemed to Leah
but a few minutes, and yet what a
| change had been wrought in the time!
| Quite suddenly, and almost uncOn-
sciously to her, the whole world had
| changed for her-her lie had grown
complete. But little while before
her heart had been desolate. Despite
the brilliancy with which she had
| been surrounded, there was a sense OF
chill and loneliness, of unrealized
wishes, of vague hopes, Of ungratif1ed
| desires-a sense Of the emptiness OF
! all things. 1t had vanished as snow
before the sun, and a sweet har-
monious sense of the fulness of life,
had taken possession of her. She
could have stood for ever by the
passion flowers, looking at Sir Basil
and listening to him; but the general
remembered the duties of hospitality.
'You will stay for the day." he said.
Zone of the grooms can ride over to
Glen for anything you may want"
He did not know that his niece,
whom the noblest and wisest in the
! land had failed to win, was waiting
with the keenest anxiety to heal
whether their guest would accept her
uncle's invitation.
Leah" said Sir Arthur, perhaps
Sir Basil would like some refreshment
after his long walk. You walked from
Glen, l believer"
Eyes; l came through the woods, .
replied the young baronet. Il envy
you those woods and the river
eff you will take my advice, Sir
BASIL" said the general, you will
have some claret-cup. For a warm
morning like this there is nothing like
it. l will join you in few minutes
l have to see my steward. Leah, you
1 will take Sir Basil into the house.
When he has had some refreshment,
he will join the party on the lawn"
With a smile for his niece and a
bow for his guest, Sir Arthur fastened
away, leaving them alone together.
1t seemed to Leah as though the air
throbbed; her heart beat fast, her
hands trembled all the rest of the
world had fallen from her, and she
stood alone with him.
This is a beautiful old place." he
said. Il like the river. What fancifuI
lights and shades there are on it,"
lie calm, quiet words brought her
down from an exalted frame of mind
to commonplace life.
ut is indeed lovely" she said. do
you like boating? I am very fond
Of it. l have pretty I4.,le boat Of
my own, and [ spend many hours
upon the water But l must not for
get my uncle's instructions. You
must come and have some refresh
ment"
She replaced the trailing sprays of
the crimson flowers which she. had
held all this time in her hands. She
did nothing in the least degree I'M
usual, yet every little incident was
stamped on her mind. With the
strange, new feeling about her she
walked by his side down the long
terrace. She took him into the draw
ing-rOOm.
Bring some light refreshments
also some fruit she said to a ser
want and VIII. her own hands she
offered him some delicious grapes.
She remembered every word he
uttered, every glance, every move
ment of his and when he had taken
what he wanted she looked at him
with anxious, happy eyes.
Shall we go on to the lawn now?"
she asked.
81 am quite at your service, Miss
Hatton. Have you large party at
Brentwood"
She looked at him again, with the
dreamy, vacant gaze of one who has
forgotten everything, then remem,
bered suddenly, and blushed as he
had seen no other woman blush be-
fore. The first thought that occurred
to him was that perhaps she had a
lover among the visitors, and was
shy of mentioning his name-else
why that vivid, beautiful blush? 1t
was gone now, and she was smiling
as she spoke.
Not a very large party she re
plied-"the Duke and Duchess of
/ Rosedene, old friends of Sir Arthur's !;
Lady Maude Trevar, who is distantly
related to the duchess; Colonel
Fraquharson, whom my uncle loves
very dearly because his face is
bronzed and he calls luncheon
tifin.'"
"Old Indian friends, l suppose?
said Sir Basil
Yes, they were inseparable fol
some years. There are also Captain
Langley and a very pretty niece OF