Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-05-25

Heron has not come tonight--he
has not come tonight"
That sense of loneliness and unrest
which falls like a clock upon ones
heart, when one is waiting for what
one knows will not come, enshrouds
her. and it is with something like a
start of nervous dread that she hears
the library door open and footsteps In
the hall.
The door opens and Mr.. Dalton ap-
pears.
Papa" she says, II have had sup
per laid" then she stops, smitten to
silence. Standing in the doorway is
father of every day life that she can
not realize him.
CHAPTER Xxx.
His face, usually so red, is white
and strained-his eyes bloodshot and
Ieaden-ringed his very manner is
changed, and in place of the familiar,
pompous, self-sustaned air, his whole
gait and bearing Is downcast and
broken-spirited
AS she moves forward he stops, and
turns as If to avoid her.
"Er-Boxall," he says TO the little
man close beside him, "I-er-I think
I'll go back and write that letter while
,ou-er-have something to eat. Come
hack to me when you've finished.
May, don't sit up; Mr.. Boxall and I
n hrcinGc Good -ptubt
Where's-where's Carrier"
And he looks around with a dis
traught air.
Carrie has gone to Sed, papa; she's
very tired" says May Can l do
anything for you? Will you let me
come and write for your"
"No-no." he says. you're a good
girl, May, but | don't think you can
help mech, Boxall?"
Let me send you glass Of wine,
papa" she says, putting her hand on
his arm pleadingly.
mo-" he says, vaguely-"no, thank
you"
Then he looks up, and pats her
shoulder.
you're good girl, May. Boxall"
turning to the little man-"this is
my eldest daughter, Miss May Dalton,
the-ahem" and the old manner
comes back to him-"the future Lady
Letchford."
Papa" murmurs May, distressed.
"The future Lady Letchford Boxall,
!, h., y1tith ho
goes out.
May stands, pale and white and
anxious. Has her father been drink
ing. Some city dinners, perhaps.
Mr.. BoXall throws no light on it, not
even when he is seated in the dining
room, making weak attempt to ap-
pear hungry.
Il am afraid papa is not WE'LL" says
May, at last.
Mr.. Boxall shakes his head.
Trying weather. Miss Dalton-one
day hot, next day cold. No more,
thank you. Yes, this is a beautiful
place-must have cost an enormous
sum of money!"
And he looks around gravely at the
handsome appointments of the vast
room.
Eyes, suppose So" says May, alb
senty. Were you ever here before,
Mr.. Boxall?"
"No-no," he says. But I've heard
Mr.. Dalton speak of it. A beautiful
place Freehold of course?"
Il don't know" says May. I'm
afraid" smiling, that l don't under
stand quite, and yet do, of course.
Yes, freehold"
and settled, no doubt, on one or
both of you young ladies?'
May laughs and shakes her head.
THAT do not know" she says.
oh" he says, sure to be.
think will so to Mr.. Dalton now, he
may want me-
Perhaps you would not mind TAX
ing glass of wine In if | carry 1t to
the door," says May.
with pleasure" ne asserts, and they
cross the hall.
May gives him the wine and turns
back; but before she has reached the
drawing-room she hears sharp cry OF
alarm. With bound she is at the
library door, but Mr.. BoXall stands
against 1t and puts her back, His pale
face is white now
NO no." he says: for Gods sake,
ion't so in"
May stops for moment-then
looks at him,
My father?" she gasps.
"Your father isis very i'll! For
Heavens sake, be calm This-this
Is dreadful! BE calm. miss"
Il am quite calm says May, each
word dropping like stone from her
white lips; quite calm, Touch me,
do not even tremble. Something has
happened must go to him. | will;
you must not stop me, please"
"Wellt" he hesitates-"you-yo
promise not to cry out? The ser.
wants."
May makes a gesture of assent; he
stanls aside and goes in with her,