Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-02-09

| primrose
| There was about her this evening u
| certain consciousness Of her own
beauty; those who looked at her
noticed her flush Of delight, the CLEAN
in the dark eyes, the smile on the per-
| feet lips. The general had noticed
her with ardmiring eyes.
eff Sir Basil does not fall in love
with her tonight, he has neither taste
nor reason, neither sense nor heart,
he said to himself. What more could
man desire? Who is more worthy of
love than she?" He felt happier
presently, for he saw that Sir Basil
was more attentive to her.
The baronet had begged her to give
him the first waltz, and then he asked
for another. He was beginning to feel
the intoxication of being loved by a
beautiful woman. He saw the most
eligible men in the room crOWding
round her. He knew there were some
present who would give anything they
possessed for the smiles. the bright
ness she lavished upon him. and which
were his without asking. 1t was
something worth living for, an intox-
ication Of vanity, triumph, to know
that this superb woman loved him; he
had but to speak, and her whole face
changed for him. She loved him-he
said it over and over again to himself
this woman whose smiles were so
hard to win. He watched her, he
danced with her, falling every moment
more and more under the spell Of her
beauty and charms.
"You are tired" he said, when the,
dance ended and she leaned on his
arm; come out into the moonlight
and rest"
All, the beautiful world into which
they went! There lay the broad ex-
panse of sea in the far distance, the
moon shinig on it: around them were
the brightly Illuminated grounds. One
of the principal fountains was
marble Undine an eXquisitely- carved
figure, whose hand. touching marble
basin, seemed to scatter the ripping
sprays of water.
''This is my favorite spot" said Leah.
II think this Undine is the fairest
work of art in Dene. Have you no
ticed the elegant pose of the head,
the grace of the upraised-hand as
though she were bidding the waters
flow?"
They stood still for a few moments
looking at the fountain in the moon
light. The marble Undine was beau
tiful, with its statuesque grace, it's
serene calm; but the girl, with her
passionate, living beauty the moon
light falling on her fair face and on
the rich folds of pale primrose, was
more beautiful still. Slowly but sure
ly the spell of that witching hour came
over Sir Basil. The knowledge that
Leah loved him, the faint odor Of the
flowers the charm of the night sky
and the distant sea, the dark eyes
that dropped beneath his gaze, the
white hands that trembled in his, the
face bent over the dimpling water
all conspired to shed a glamor over
him.
''This reminds me of the lovers
night in the Merchant of Venice"
he said at is just as perfect; one
can think of nothing but flowers and
| love-"
"a happy night" she returned,
gently, bending her face over the
glistening marble.
How plainly l can see you there!"
he said, looking at the reflection.
Every primrose can be seen distinct
| ly in the water Now tell me, are
you not pleased with your costume?"
eff you are" she sighed. Her heart
was beating fast with passion of love
and pain He could be so near her, |
he could stand with her in that lovely
spot, and yet nothing brought his
heart nearer to hers! She did not
| know that at that moment he cared |
for her more than he had ever done;
, for Sir Basil, as he gazed at the face
reflected in the water. had seen some
thing there which had stirred his
heart-a sad, wistful look, not at all
suited to the beautiful face; and he
knew quite we'll what had called it
there 1t was love for himself,
The next minute he had clasped her
hands in his, and bending over her,
whispered to her the words that made
the music Of her life.
She made no answer-tO have saved
her life she could not have uttered a
word but the light on her face was
answer enough to him. The happy
eyes fell; the beautiful head, with its
primrose crown, rested on the edge OF
the marble blasin. In her heart she
was thanking Heaven for the blessing
given to her.
"Do you love me, Leah?" he asked.
All, Heaven, the love that shone in
her eyes, that radiated from her face!
A voice of sweetest music whispered
81 have loved you from the first
moment I saw your face. I pray
Heaven that may see it last in this
world"
The words fell softly over the rip
ping waters softly as the sigh of a
summer breeze; and when they ended