Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-04-15

or ruin, of course, he consented, es-
pecialiy as portion of the money
went to purchase the hall where the
present marquis now lives
"And is the present marquis the
only SOM" asked Mrs. Dalton.
Mr.. Head had his wineglass to his
lips at the moment, and he paused a
second before replying, while very
faint line wrinkled his forehead.
1.-THE present marquis was the
next in succession" he said, slowly,
| and with certain gravity.
| Lucille, who was listening intent
ly, noticed the hesitation and the
tone of the reply; and Marie Vern-
er's sharp eyes glanced at the law
yer's face.
There is something behind;
| tell US the whole Of the story,
Mr.. Head" He looked toward Luz
ellie. There is something behind"
he said gravely-"a dark shadow
which rests upon the house of Merle.
Some other time" be said, biting his
lips.
We'll as it is beyon" the power e
mortal man to, say nothing of three
poor women, to force anything from
a lawyer, l suppose we must possess
our souls in patience" said Marie
Werner, lightly. But you have sue
ceeded in throwing a still more ro-
mantle halo round the interesting
marquis, Mr.. Head. I'm more entirely
lost than ever"
Il think we had better leave Mr..
Head to the enjoyment of his wine,'
said Mrs. Dalton, primly, and Lucille
rose and led the way into the drawing
room.
You don't mind my playing? Music
is the only possible vent from my suf-
locating emotionsi This lovely place,
this dark and melancholy marquis
with shadow over his house, the ex-
citement, and the brass band have
turned my head! And you" pointing
to Lucille, as she stood like a lovely
statue in the center Of the splendid
room-"you can be cool and collect
ed! 1t passes my comprehension"
Miss Darracourt is happy in the
possession of a we'll balanced mind, -
said Mrs. Dalton with solemn appro-
| baton. ITO a well-balanced mind
the vicissitudes of fortune are I'M
MATERIAL"
Then I must have a mind without
any balance at ALL" retorted Marie
Werner. For the vicissitudes of for
tune-if that's what you call being
left such a place as this-would send
me stark, staring mad!"
"You will send Mrs. Dalton stark,
staring mad if you go on in this ia
shion, Marie. Play by all means and
give your feelings vent!''
And how are you going to give
yours vent-always supposing you
have any?" demanded Marie.
In the fresh air. I can hear you
on the terrace here"
Marie Werner plunged into an op-
cratic overture, and the music rang
through the room and fioated out to
the fresh evening air. Lucille stood
for a few minutes listening, but after
a time the music seemed too oppres-
siVe, and she walked along the ter
race until she reached a small, cir
cular space which overlooked the
park.
In this nook there was a seat, and
welcoming the quietude, Lucille
walked to the edge of the parapet and
looked over.
As she did so it was with sudden
start of surprise that she saw young
man sitting against a trunk of a tree
almost Immediately beneath her.
For moment she thought it was a
gardner, but as she looked at him
she saw that his dress was scarcely
consistent with that of a servant. 1t
was hardly that of a gentleman
either. Lucille decided that it must
be a gamekeeper; there was a dog
lying beside him
All unconscious. y he had assumed
and attitude of easy, almost patrician
grace, his long legs outstretched. his
head resting upon his hand, and there
seemed something in tie pose that as
! little suited a servant as his dress.
Scarcely knowing that she was
| scrutinizing him, Lucille looked down
at him, the thought crossing her mind,
/ Even this man belongs to mel" when
suddenly he raised his head. If Lu-
ellie had felt surprised and doubt
before, both we're redoubIed now as
the appraised face seemed to ash up
on her. 1t was face of a Greek
god, beautifully nodded, with dark
eyes and deIicately cut lips. From
the sun-tanned forehead the closely
cut hair broke into ripples of light
waves.
1t was the handsomest face Lucille
had ever seen, but something beyond
its manly grace smote upon her. The
eyes were beautiful. but the express
sion, full Of an innate nobility and
power, far exceeded their beauty. 1t
was he face of a Saxon prince, full
Of a dominant masterfulness, tenn
pered by a nameIess something which
might be that of great grief or a
great, unsatisf1ed desire
Lucille's breath came fast and her
heart beat quickly, why, she knew
not. She would have turned and
walked away, for it seemed unfair to
be standing there looking down at
him while he was all unconscious of
hnr T7roCouoo I,,- n c+rovpo lind of