Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-05-20

They are delightful exclaimed
Marie Werner. I'VE have got nothing
like them here; have we, Lucille?
I'll go and get few of our miserable
specimens, and you shall see how far
you excel u.s." and she ran from the
room as innocently as possible.
The marquis took chair near the
| couch.
Il cannot tell you how gratitied L
am, Miss Darracourt,' he said, in a
| low, humble voice.
"Gratifed?" repeated Lucille. rails
ing her brows.
THAT you should receive me-" he
that you would have declined to see
me. l deserve that, and any punish
ment you might think fit to visit up
on me for my conduct"
do not say any more, Lord
Merle she said. IF you think
that you have offended me, how
much more cause have you to consid-
er that you have injured another per-
SOM"
His lips frightened for a moment,
then he looked up her with humble
| eagerness.
eyes, l know. You allude to the
young man Harry Herne. l did in
suit and wrong him, Miss Darracourt,
and l am anxious to make amends. l
have sought him with the intention
of doing So but he has kept out of
my way, l fear persistently. Believe
me that | will make whatever amends
may lie in my power; and if / sue
coed, may l venture to hope that you
will not only forgive, but forget my
display of hasty and evil temper?"
Lucille could not resist the plead
ing voice, the humble, imploring
gaze. She held out her hand with a
smile.
His pale face flushed as he took
her hand, and it seemed as if he were
about to raise it to his lips, when
Marie Werner, who had been waiting
outside the room or a suitable mo-
ment to enter, came in.
Here are the miserable speci-
MEMS" she said, land I had to beg
hard for these
Really" said the marquis. How
l wish l could show you my orchid
house. Is it quite impossible?" he
added, looking from one to the other
eagerly.
Nothing is impossible tC a man."
said Marie Werner, pertly. Il don't
know why we shouldn't go and see
them. Mrs. Dalton can come with
us and play propriety. What do you
say, Lucille?" =.
Lucille thinking that it would seem
ungraciOus to refuse, got up at once.
Il will ask Mrs. Dalton if she could
go. You mean for us to come now"
eyes, certainly. No time like the
present"
The four set out for the short walk
to the Hall.
Suddenly, as they passed through
the large gates of the park and were
emerging in the road, they saw Harry
Herne on horseback.
the heart at the awkwardness of the
meeting, was passing on, when the
marquis, whose face had paled at
the sight of his foe said in a low
voice, Excuse me a moment" and
leaving her side, advanced towards
Harry Herne.
"Herne," he said, in SLOW, dis
tinct tone, Il lost my temper the
other day and-insulted you. |
have been looking for an opportunity
of apologizing, and am glad that /
have met you this morning. In the
presence Of Miss Darracourt, before
whom the insult was offered. and
these ladies, beg your pardon"
Every eye was fixed on Harry
Herne. For a second the color rose to
his handsome face, and he remained
motionless, his eyes glancing from
the pale face of the marquis to the
group of spectators; then he raised
his hat.
1T is granted, my lord" he said
gravely, Il, too, lost my temper and
spoke hastily
mo, no, it was my fault; say no
more about it Herne. We will let by
cones be bygones.' he added, sig
nifcantly; then he held out his hand.
Harry Herne bent down to take
it, but at that moment the horse,
grown FESTIVE, shot on one side, and
the marquis let his hand fall with an
air of relief.
"We'll shake hands another time,
when we are both on level ground"
Lucille's face was a study, but she
said not word.
They passed into the Hall grounds,
possible, more respectful and charm
ing as he pointed out the various
points of interest.
"A poor place after the Court he
said, with a smile to Lucille. "A
poor place, but my own"
The drive led in a semi-circle to
the house, a modern mansion in good
style, but, as he had said OF the
grounds, poor in comparison with the
Court. The greenhouses were, how
ever, of great extent and admirably
kept. and Lucille, glad to find some
thing better than her own, praised
them unstintingly. The gardener
came forward, hat in hand, to at
tend them, but the marquis dismissed
him.
q cannot permit any one to share
my pleasure in your visit he said,
1-oTaa +o led