Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-02-05

| primrose suited nef 10 perfection.
There was about her this evening n
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.
''If 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 layished 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 1t 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 a
marble Undine an eXquistely-carved
figure, whose hand touching marble
basin, seemed to scatter the ripping
sprays of water.
This Is my favorte spot" said Leah
81 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 few moments,
1pnly inc Of ihn fountain In tho
light The marble Undine was beau |,
tifuI 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 trembed in his, the =,
face bent over the dimpling water
all conspired to shed a gamor over
him.
This reminds me of the lovers ,
night in the Merchant of Venice"
he said ut 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 can see YOU there"
he said, looking at the reflection.
Every primrose can be seen distinct
~ in the water Now tell me, are
You not pleased with your costume?"
IF 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 ga2ed at the face
reflected in the water, had seen some
thing there which had stirred his
sad, wistful look, not at all
suited to the beautiful face; and he
knew quite well what had called it
there. 1t was love for himself
The next minute he had claspcd her
hands in his, and bending over her,
whispered to her the words that made .
the music of her life,
She made no answcr-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 hlasiu 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- |
u have loved you from the first /
| saw your face. pray ,
Heaven that may see it last in this /
world"
The words fell softly over the rip |
pling waters softly as the sigh of a I.
summer breeze; and when they ended |
Sir Basil kissed her, specChless with !