Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-02-16
Continued
By Bertha N. Clay.

Of one soul; now they were united
and shared but one life, one soul be-
tween them. Sure that he felt as she
did, she made no secret of her love.
Sh did not measure her words; she
disclosed her whole heart to him.
She puzzled him greatly on one oc-
casion. They had wandered through
the woods down to the sea. The
tide was rolling in; and sun shOne on
the water till it looked like FURNISHED
gold; afar off cleaned the white sails
of many a graceful yacht. Beautiful
as was this fair world, love made 1t
fairer. They sat under the shelter of
the cliffs; and Leah turned from the
ripping waves to look at her lovers
face.
Basil" she said, 81 have often
wished to ask you-did you recognize
me on the morning that you met me
frst?"
con the morning when you stood
like beautiful statue, draped in
white and gold, among the passion
fowers?" he said. what a picture
you presented, Lean"
Did you recognize me?" she re-
peated.
I'm what way, my darling?" he
asked.
"As l did you. l knew in one mo-
ment that the lover for whom had
waited had come at last. How strange
that I always had that feeling! Some
times, when the duchess talked to me,
and seemed angry because | had dis
missed one whom she considered an
eligible suitOr-sometimes my courage
failed me. She thought my ideas
vain and sentimental. Yet, you see,
l was right. Tel me, Basil did you
recognize me? Did you say to your
self That is the girl who has been
made for me. the one woman out OF
the whole wide world who is to be my
wife?' Did you, Basil?"
He was puzzled. If he had said
mo" she would be unhappy, and he
could not bear to cloud her beautiful
face; yet he could not say Yes with
out swervtng from the truth.
Zen have not those quick intui-
tons" he said. THAT which woman
knows, discerns by instinct, is some
time in piercing the denser brain and
more stolid heart of man.
She looked a little disappointed.
when did you find it out then"
she asked, anxiously.
Find what out, Leah q
why, that you loved me, Basil"
In spite of himself a flush rose to
his face, but she took that as a sign
of loving emotion.
Am l to tell you the exact hour and
minute?" he said, laughingly.
eff you can" she replied.
81 cannot, Leah. Isuppose, as the
novelists say, cit stole upon me I'M
aWares."
Basil" she whispered, edo tell me
one thing. When you are away from
me, you know, like to sit and think
over every word that you have said to
me, I like to dwell on all the pleasant
AID happy thoughts l have about you.
Tell me Basil, I'D you admire me
when you first saw me?"
Indeed, I did, he replied, heartily.
81 thought you then, as I think now,
the fairest woman IN, the world"
Did you? l am so glad. I am we'll
content that you should think me fair.
I have never cared or thought about
what people call my good looks; but
now I am glad, since they please you.
He was very near loving. her, she
was so loving to him. Yet even on
that morning, when she opened her
mind to him as flower opens its
petals to the sun, even then he did
not catch one spark of the divine fire
that men call love. The time came
when she counted the happy days Of
her life, and this was one of the
brightest
The news of their engagement had
been made public at once. Sir Basil
had gone direct to the general and told
him. They had not said much to
each other, but the general was great
ly comforted. He believed that Sir
Basil had grown to love his niece,
therefore, all was well.
The duchess was not surprised; she
had forseen from the first, she said.
She congratulated Sir Basil in such a
fashion that he was prouder than ever
Of what he had won.
Il shall always think Of you," she
said, 'as of a most remarkable man.
You have won for yourself what no
other could win"
Later on she said to Leah, after kiss
ing her:
81 am right we'll pleased, my dear.
I suppose, Leah, it is this or none""
Heaven has been very good to me,
and has given me my hearts DESIRE
replied the girl as her eyes filed with
tears.
There was to be no hurry about the
wedding Glen must be altered and
improved, must be decorated and re-
furnished. During the spring of the
coming year a general election was ex-
pected, and Sir Basil would be busy
trying to secure a seat in parliament.