Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-15
CHAPTER xxxIv.

stretched down toward the road.
Another hour!" an at the thought
a smile-yet scarcely smile, but Q
suitable light like sun ray stole over
her face.
The great poet Tcnnyson has, in one
of his greatest poems, portrayed a girl
who, all unconscious Of the bitter mo
ments awaited her, decked herself In
her brightest ribbons to receive hei
expectd lover.
now, but Una had paid some, for her
extraordinary attention TO her toilet.
Jack was never tired Of calling her
beautiful; had even gone so far as to
speak of her loyeliness, and II had
raised no vanity in her; but this even
ing she felt she would like to appear
really and truly beautiful In his eyes,
so beautiful that even Lady Bells
spirited face should be forgotten.
She had chosen the dress he liked
best; had selected, with unusual care,
couple Of flowers from the costly
bouquet, which, morning and evening,
was sent 10 her room from the hot
houses, and had decked herself In the
locket and bracelet and ring which
Jack had given her.
Mrs. Davenant had made her many
presents of jewelry, some OF 1t costly,
and even rare; but she would not
wear anything but Jacks own gifts to-
night
HE will come fresh from Lady
Bells diamonds and sapphlres, and
would think little Of mine beautiful as
they are but he will like to see his
locket and hs bracelet and will know
that | love him best"
Not once, but twice and thrice she
had moved from the window to the
glass and looked into It. Not with any
expression of pleased vanity but rather
with merciless criticism. For the first
time, she would like to be as beauti-
ful ms Jack thought her, For the last
few days she had been rather silent,
and somewhat pale. Stephens Gun.
ming hints respecting Jack and Lady
Bell had had their effect; but tonight's
expectation, and the nearness of Jack b
approach, had brought faint rose-lilte
tint to her checks, and her eyes shone
with the subtle light of love and hope,
Mrs. Dayenant looked up Mt her as
she entered the drawlng.room and
smiled affectionately,
"How well you look tonight, dear,
she said as he kissed her and drew
her down beside her I'm inclined TO
believe Jack when he says that You
grow more beautiful than ever"
Hush" said Una, but with blush.
Jack says so many foolish things,
dear"
"If he never said anything more fool
ish than that he would be wise man, "
he DO now, dear?"
Una glanced at the clock.
"Juts forty minutes" she said
simply.
Mrs, Davenant smiled and pattod her
hand
Counting the very minutes" she
murmured, gently. what thing
love is' What would life be without
it?"
Death" said Una, with grave
smile ~ wonder whether stephen
will come down this EVENING""
DO you not know said Una, ab.
sently.
No. replied Mrs Dayenant u
thought, perhaps, he might have told
L."
ME-" said Una, with open eyes
oh, no Why should hc2"
Il didn't know" said Mrs, Daven
ant quietly. lie tells You everything
think"
Una smiled,
"He is very good and kind" shg
said, still little absently, ooh, very
kind No one could have taken more
trouble to make me happy"
Eyes, stephen likes to see YOU hap
ny" said Mrs navenant softly, Poor
Stephen'" and shc sighed
But Tina heard neither the express
sion of pity nor the sigh She hat
risen. and was moving about the room
with that suppressed impationce which
marks the ono who watts nm expected
Joy
Presently her quick cars heard thC
rattle Of approaching wheels, and witt
4 throbbing heart she looked at The
clock. 1t wanted ten minutes to The
appointed time for Jacks arrival win
quick flush of gratitude for his pune
tEality she moved to the door, and stol,
swiftly and softly to her own room. I,
regain composurc, She heard tn,
carriage pull mp and SO away to th'
stables heard the hurried tread o
footsteps In the marble hall-and then
with the faint flush grown into full
blown blush went downstairs and on
tered the drawing.room.
sudden shock or disappointment
chilled her. stephen was standing be
fore the fire warming his hands, hu
Jack was not there.
stephen, In the glass. saw her enter