Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-07-06
Continued.

not done that. No, at all costs we
must keep that from him"
Lady Letchford looks up.
Rose you have been very good 10
me. oYu will save him II you CAM"
Il will make a strong effort" Is the
smiling reply.
Meanwhile Heron sips his as port,
II is dHicult for man To feel dis
satisfied and unhappy with such wine
following after such dinner.
For the first time for month Mays
sweet, bewitchlng face pales before
his mental vision. For the first time
for month the restless wearlness
gives place to a reposeful calm.
He finishes the half.bottle OF price
less wine, and goes into the drawing
room.
An air of restful reposs seems to
peryado the room On one side OF the
FIRE his mother sits In her hlgh-backed
chair, and on the other Rose Vavasour
lounges on spacious ottoman; the
tea.urn stenms on table between
them.
AS he enters Rose gathers her long
train together and makes room for
him.
"1ea Is only just In" sho says;
"let me give you some"
And she fills u dainty Sevres cup
for him and puts It In his hand with
smile.
Heron stretched out his long legs
before the fire and sips his tea. Lady
Letchford appears to be doing.
"Yoh are quite n stranger" says
Rose, smiling forward at him why
do you not come and see us oftcner2"
He looks at the fire silently for a
moment.
81 have been about great deal late.
ly."
IT you have been amusing your.
self that Is quite sufficient excuse"
He smiles grlmly.
Il don't know that | have been
amusing myself Does any one be.
tween the ages of fifty and sixty ever
amusc himself?"
She laughs softly.
myself, and | am not slNty-quite."
He raises his eyes slowly, and lets
them rest on her No. she Is not
sixty SHE Is young, too young for
professional beauty Ho looks at
her with sense of pleasure which Is
quite novel to him; there ia something
about her tonight which strikes him as
novel and strange he certainly
thought he knew the face most mi
nutely- as indeed did most people,
seeing that her portrait could be
bouRht--in many attitudes and divers
eXpresslons~-In every fancy shop In
London, he certainly thought he knew
the face. and yet tonight there was an
added charm about II, touch Of ton.
dcrness and melancholy softncss, that
was like balm to his wenrIcd spirit
He thought that 1t was because sho
hal grown moro beautiful In reality.
in reality, II Is because he, thought
far from feeling IT, Is worn out. body
and spirit; and the exquisite lowell
ness tolls upon him like toned music
He does not know II would laugh at
any one who should presume to tell
him So but the hard lie which would
have cruz he'd n less ironlike eonstltu.
ton, has done IT'S work even with him,
lnceRsant dissipation and restless
nights are far more fatal than broken
hearts
let me give YOU some moro tea p"
she says. Then must go, think"
lie raised himself and looked up.
Co where oh, yes, to the
Merlvalesl Must YOU no tonicht?"
She hesitatos, and moves tho dainty
hand.screon slowly to and fro,
Il am afraid | have half promised"
Halt promises are less reliable even
than pie crusts, Whom have you
promiscd?"
She hositateS again, and shifts tie
screen so that he cannot sec her face.
Lord Cornvale," she replies,
Heron raises his head and frowns;
then he gets up slowly and stands
with his back to the fire, looking down
at the hearthrug.
They are to have n large party for
this time OF the year; | fancy It Is got
up for him, WIN you not come with
me?n
No" he says, abruptly.
She does not look offended indeed
rather faint light OF satisfaction
CLEANS in her blue eyes II she can
but pIQne him into anger and resent
ment she will gain all she wants.
mo, | suppose not" she says. "You
must be tired You were hunting
Yesterday, were YOU not? They said
that you had wonderful run. DO you
like your now horse?"
He mods absently his mind Is halt
Inc In the balance. Shall he ask he,
to stay, or shall he lot her 70, and re
sign her to tho old. worm-worn roue?
with restless imratlenoe he goes tc
the window and back again. ant
stands looking down ut her as she sit,
apparently serenely reposeful, but Ii
reality with fa st.beaftnp hoo ~ for oh.