Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-06-08

stop now, dear" says May; but
Carrie shakes her head and glides out.
May stands with folded hands, her
head cast down, her heart beating.
There is d sound of hushed talking in
the hall; she cannot hear the beloved
voice, so deep and grave, and yet so
musical, but she feels that it must be
he
Then the door opens, and she looks
up and sees, not the tall figure In its
morning coat and squarelike CATERS,
but The graceful form of Rose Vava-
sour, clad in serge and sealskin.
A dead weight seems to drop upon
Mays heart, and she has much to do
to keep her lips from quiyering as she
comes forward.
The beauty sails in, her perfect,
faulty faultless loneliness" as Ten
nyson calls it, heightened by the deli
cate flush of triumph in her face, and
the cold sparkle of victory in her eye.
She comes forward with outstretch-
ed hand, a faint curiosity visible in
her raised brows at the unusual still
ness which seems to reign in the
house, a curiosity which grows deep
er as she sees how pale and wan Is
the face of her hated rival. What has
happened? Is 1t possible that she has
been forestalled, that May has already
learned that her short reign is over?
pang of disappointment assails
her. Is she too late TO deal the blow
aud goat over the misery ii will in
fict?
How do you do, dear Miss Dalton?"
she says, holding out her hand and
smiling sweetly into the dark, sorrow,
deepened eyes. Il am an early visitor,
am ! not?"
Mays lips moved.
Yes she manages 10 articuate.
Perhaps" says Rose Vavasour,
with an arch smile, you expected
some one else? / hope not. for then
! have got little disappointment for
you. Did you-now tell me truly
Gil you expect Sir HerCn?"
A faint flush rises Slowly TO Mays
check, but to leave it colder and
winter than before.
Yes" she says, scornlng conven-
tional falsehood, 81 lid expect Sir
Heron"
There, now! | thought So" muir
murs Rose. Il quite felt that and
almost turned back-for a substitute
is always unwelcome. But it Is
such a fresh morning. and | knew you
rise early. But how pale you look!
Are you not well?"
May looks aside.
Il am-tired," she says, in a low,
sweet voice.
"rirel'" echoes the soft voice.
Now that is the effect of your drive
yesterday. | told Heron that 1t
would be TOO much for you May
sit, DOWN."
May moves her hand to a chair, but
she stands and looks at the lovely
face with its cruelty sweet smile,
looks at 1t as one might look at pic
ture which repels ana yet fascinates.
Men are so careless" goes on the
beauty: they measure our strength
by their own. But indeed you do
look tired out"
May opens her lips at last.
is Sir Heron coming?" she says,
utterly unable to keep the question
which her heart has been asking from
forming on her lips
nnbppC pnsn 'NNhV .lpD't
you know? He started for London
this morning"
May looks up with sudden shrink
ing, as il a blow had been dealt her.
Cone" she murmurs, her lips
Gu,ycring. Gone this morning."
by the first train" says the beauty,
putting up her veil and smiling with
keen enjoyment at the disappointment
and sorrow depicted on the pale
face He went off, my dear Miss
Dalton, like a-a-- flash of lightning!
They ten me that this is his usual
way of entrance and exit, and that
he makes up his mind to come or go
on the spur of the moment"
where has he gomez" asks
May, breaking in on the soft, silvery
voice.
The beauty raises her shoulders.
"Ah, that is the question! No one
knows; not even Lady Letchford. He
disappeared from our ken before din
ner yesterday; something upset him
| am atraii You will not have the best
tempered Of men for husband and
this morning we learned that he was
gone"
Gone" echoes May, a cold wave of
helpless loneliness sweeping over her
spirit. and haunting her. "Gone-and
--and--did he not leave a message for
for me?"
The beauty gives a little start.
Now. really, this is toe bad of me!
was nearly forgetting the purpose of
my visit. Yes, he did leave a mes
sage for you, letter. 1t found it's
way into the hands of my maid and
she is the most forgetful creature.
am afraid II wouldn't have reached
You if hadn't felt that you should
have had it at once, and brought It TO