Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-04-09
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! 00 LesIie'S NIL
| 0I Loyalty : :;:.::
C0ntinued.

Lucy had been working for some
months, and could stick to her task
with a logged perseverance which
Leslie enwied, whereas Lucy regarded
Leslie with an admiration and affee-
ton which almost amounted to wor-
ship. To her Leslie seemed the
epitOme of all that WAS beautiful and
sweet, and graceful, and if Leslie
would have permitted it Lucy would
have become kind Of Eady's maid as
well fellow-student.
The afternoon was a hot one, bat
Leslie wore her veil down, walking
along with absent, preoeeupied eyes
and only half listening to the bright.
CHEEKY chatter of the hrawe-hearted
girl at her side.
after all, London is not so bad"
stupidity fond of it-without knowing
it. It doesn't seem so hard and cold
hearted after awhile, and Yes,
really think it is more friendly than
the country. The shops are so
bright and cheerful that they
seem to smile at you and tell
you to cheer up; and then there's the
noise l didn't like it at first, but
I don't mind it so much now. 1t
seems like company. Do you know
what / mean, Leslie?"
She was thinking of what Yorke
had said about London, and how good
it was to get away from it. Where
was he now? she wondered.
Yes, if l were a rich woman l would
have a house in London. Not for the
season-oh, no, Fancy all the rich
and fashionable people leaving the
dear delicious country when it is just
beginning to look at its very best, and
coming UP here into the hot streets
and stuffy houses, though the parks
are pretty, l will admit that. No. I
would come up here when the days
draw in and the country lanes are
muddy and the roads dark. Then
London is at its best, and the lighted
streets, and the theaters, and the
warm houses Yes, Leslie, If / were
rich" She laughed. How strange
it must seem to any one who becomes
suddenly rich! One hears Of girls
marrying wealthy men and stepping
from poverty to luxury. l suppose it
must be confusing and bewildering
at first-at least to most girls, !
don't think it would be to you, Leslie"
she ADDED, glancing up at her with a
reflective smile. think if you were
to marry a duke you would take it
quite calmly and as matter OF
course. Sometimes when I am look
ing ct you when you are bending over
the books, or, better still, when you
are standing at the window with your
arms folded and that strange, far
away look in your eyes, I think what
a pity it is that you are not great
lady. You are so tall and-and-
what is the word ?-distfngue-unaJ I
can fancy you dressed in white satin
with long train, and hear you being
called your grace
4 am not distingue, or so foolish to
believe all you say, Lucy" she said,
scarcely knowing what she said, 70.
the aimless chatter had set her heart
aching-not for the loss of the duke
dom, but for the man. Where are
we?"
IF ! don't know half so much OF
other things as you do, I know London
better" she said. I'VE are coming
Z out into St. James, anu we will walk
into the park and through Pail Mall,
and then take bus, your grace,
E0A
Il beg your pardon. / am so
sorry, Leslie, if /"
mo, no." broke in Leslie, ashamed
of the agitation into which Lucy's
idle bandage had thrown her. Call
me what you like dear"
Lucy looked up at her timidly and
wonderingly, and was silent, and
Leslie had to force herself to talk to
restore her companions peace OF
mind.
They went into the park, talking
Of the future and their chances.
1T will not be long now said
Lucy. ooh, how I long for the day
whea we shall hold those certificates
in our hands, | shall be so proud
and glad that shall scarcely be able
10 contain myself. l shall have to
telegraph to mother. 1t will cost
eighteenpence, for they are two miles
from the telegraph Office; but I don't
care. And you'll wire, too, Leslie?"
Z have no one to tell" she said. AT
least I shall save the eighteen pence,
and she smiled bravely.
You will have me, at any rate"
murmured Lucy, gently, and Leslie
pressed her hand gratefully.
They wandered in the park-what
host of memories it calls up to him
who knows his history Of London,
that same park!-until the twilight
came, and then they turned home
ward.
OoI NfaiI