Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-03-15

OuS-SuOulQ ne Caught ny pretty
face. Why, she, Lady Eleanor, was
pretty She looked at her pale,
agitated face, and kind of indignant
rage consumed her for moment
| She was the acknowledged belle of
many a ballroom. She might have
been professional beauty If she had
cared TO be one. she was accom-
plished was In his own rank and
class, fitting mate, yes-she told
herself with inward conviction
fitting mate for him.
With her by his side as his wife, he
could have filled conspicuous place
In the world--their world, the upper
ten thousand, the rulers and masters.
And he had passed her by and was
going to marry a halfeducated, I'M
cultured, uncultiyated country girl
with pink cheeks and simpering
smile.
The thought nearly drove her mad.
Finetta mad said that she had tried
to prevent 1t, and that now it rested
with her, Lady Eleanor, TO make an at
tempt.
Lady Eleanor shuddered and red
dened with shame at the Idea of be-
ing conspirator with such an one as
Finetta of the Diadem, and yet was
not the object to be attained worthy
even of such means?
She would not ask herself why
Finetta desired to stop the marriage.
She put the question away from her
resolutely, and told herself that it was
of Yorke and Yorke's welfare alone
that she was thinking.
A servant came up to announce Wis
ltors, but Lady Eleanor answered
through the locked door that she was
not at home.
81 will see only Mr.. Ralph Dun
combe," she said; and she longed for
his presence with feverish i'm
patience, though she had no fixed plan
| in her mind--nothing DIV an eager
idea that Ralph Duncombe, the cute
city man, might be able to help her.
About six O'Clock the servant an
nounced him, and she had him shown
up to her boudoir. She had had time
to collect herself and regain com
posure, to change her dress for tea
gown, and do her hair; but her face
was pale, and still showed traces OF
| the terrible agitation which she had
suffered, and Ralph Duncombe, as he
took her hand, looked at her inqulr
ingly.
Il am afraid YOU have found the
heat trying, Lady Eleanor. | hope
YOU are we'll" he said in his grave
sedate voice.
THANK you--yes, she said, ! am
we'll, quite we'll. But | am What
| Is the word you city men use when
YOU want to say that you are worried?
Pray sit down." and she pointed to Il
chair SO placed that she could see his
face while hers was against the light,
we find worried good enough for
us, Lady Eleanor; but we are worried
so often that we think little of it, and
take things very much as they come :
"Ah, then envy you!" she said,
with 4 genuine sigh. Il am afraid yon
viii think me very inconsiderate in
sending for you--you who have SO
much to occupy your time and
energies"
Il am always glad to be of some
slight service to you" he said, with
grave courtesy, "and can always
spare time to come to you when you
send for me. Is anything the mat.
ter? Are you anxious about the min
ing company? You have no cause to
be, for everything Is going on re-
markably well. and succeeding be
yond my expectations. Some of the
hest men in the city have joined us,
and. as | wrote TO you, the shares al.
ready stand at a high premium. You
have made a very large sum Of
money. Lady Eleanor, and are on the
way 10 making still larger"
Money, money" she exclaimed. 1T
is always money, You talk as If 1t
were the one and only thing desirable
aud worth having, And, after all,
what can il bring? Can 1t bring the
one thing on which ones heart Is
set? Have YOU found II so allpower
full that you set such store by it,
IL beg your pardon she said
hurriedly, and almost humbly, Il did
not mean TO be tmpertinent or oh
lrustve. but just now am in trouble
in which think the alpowerfu
money will be powerless
Tell me what 1t is he said in q
low voice and rather absently, as i
the Tasty words she had just spoken
were still haunting him. That Is,
suppose You sent 70 consult me about.
"Weli-yes." said Lady Eleanor
moro calmly, but with her color com
ing and going, Il sent to YOU be
cause you are the only friend have
whom care TO consult about this
this trouble. Because | feel that 20,
will understands and, what Is mort
important not misunderstood me, o.