Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-04-14
Love $ Conquest
By CHARLES GARVICE
By CHARLES GARVICE


exception of the sash the dress was
without ornament, and Lucille shook
her head when Susie unlocked the
brand-new jewel casket, with its
brand-new suites of pearls and dia-
monds, also bought in Paris under
Mrs. Dalton's directions; and Susie,
although she would have liked to
have decked her young mistress in
all the glories of the Orient, and
was little disappointed, could not
repress little smothered cry of won
der and delight, as her eyes rested
upon her handiwork. In all her life
Susie had not seen anything-not
even picture in the Illustrated Lon.
don News-so beautiful as her young
mistress with the thick, golden-brown
hair and lustrous, hazel eyes.
4 great bell startled Lucille by its
sudden clangor, and a moment or
two afterward Marie Werner knocked
at the door.
That's the dinner bell, Lucille, -
she said. Are you dressed? Oh,
my dear, that muslin suits you!" and
her keen eyes roved over Lucille's
slim figure. 81 thought I looked
rather nice, but you-'and she made
a little move.
Il have got very good little maid. -
"Oh, Miss" she murmured, Its
you, who are so beautiful, not the
dress or me who put it on"
"There!" exclaimed Marie Werner.
CAS- a specimen of rustic compliment,
that's unique"
They went down into the hall,
where Mr.. Head, in evening dress,
stood aiting for them, and he gave
Lucille his arm and led her into the
dining-room.
1t was large room, and the light
from what seemed a forest of candles
for the heavy curtains had been
drawn to exclude the sunset, shone
upon carved oak and Venetian glass.
upon the table glittering with some
of the famous Darracourt plate, re-
heved by flowers in vases and pla-
teaux.
Fresh from the bare dining-room of
the st. Malo school, Lucille felt awed,
and stood motionless for moment.
looking round her; then the lawyer
led her to the head of the table the
others took their places and the din
ner commenced.
With grave faces and noiseless
steps, the trained servants, presided
over by the dignified butler, served
the meal with the precision of ma
chimes. Marie Werner, upon whom the
novel magnifcence acted like cham
payne, talked and laughed with Mr..
Head, and Mrs. Dalton occasionally
put in a slow, grave word or two but
Lucille sat almost silent.
She was in dreamland still, Was
this splendid room, these masses of
gold and silver, these servants,
really hers, Lucille Darracourt's. or
would it all fade away presently, and
give place to the bare schoolroom
with its dingy forms and soiled table
cloth?
The voices of the others seemed to
come from distance, and to be as
1mpalpable as the rest, and it was not
until the butler had left the room,
and Mr.. Head addressed her by name.
that, with a slight start, she awoke
to the fact that all she saw was real.
and not a vision of imagination.
Lucille" said Marie Werner, "that
is the third time Mr.. Head has spoken
to you! Come back from dreamland-
just for a minute or two"
Il beg your pardon said Lucille.
with faint blush, 81 think 1 was
dreaming
Il hope have not disturbed you,
but Miss Werner insists that l should
communicate a piece of family his
tory
"Oh, DON'T exclaimed Mary. "Pry
don't begin in that way, or we shall
all go to sleep at the commencement.
Let me tell Miss Darracourt, and if |
go astray you can correct me-
"You will tell it much better than
l shall, Miss Werner
"At any rate l shan't put in any
'aforesaids,' as you would probably
do" she retorted. Lucille, we were
talking TO the marquis. can't talk of
think of anything else, That's be-
cause I've never seen a real live mar
quis before
My dear Miss Werner murmured
Miss Dalton, rebukingly. IF you will
permit me, think that such terms
are scarcely fitting