Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-06-10

WOuIuh sOu, ouSIS
ooh, yes, Miss!' assented Susie,
with whom Marie Werner had ingra-
tfated herself, as she well knew, how.
There, sit down." exclaimed Luz
ellie, jumping up and pushing her
gently into the chair.
How good you arei And it is so
very good of Susie to do double work
Oh, how I wish, Susie, you could
brush my locks into something like
Miss Darracourt's hair!'
"Oh, it's pretty nair, I'm sure
Miss" said Susie. But she added,
as if the truth could not be suppress
sed, "it isn't quite so beautiful as
Miss Darracourt's.
mo, long way off that, Susiei''
| assented Marie. ut isn't given TO
every one to have hair that would
| send an artist raving mad with long
ing to paint it! But it's fortunate
| that some men like yellow hair better
that brown, isn't it, Susie? l heard
that Harry Herne is rather partial to
| the blonde, isn't he, Susie?"
Susie's hair was of a light color.
and at this direct appeal her face
went crimson. She was given to
blushing at the least provocation, and
the mere suggestion that Harry
Herne could see anything to admire
in her, overwhelmed her with con-
fusion
Lucille had seated herself On a
couch, and was looking on at the op-
Grafton with smiling, faraway eyes,
but at Marie's cunning speech a bolt
seemed to go straight through her
heart Then the sharp pain gave
place in a moment to swift indig-
nation. How dare Marie, any one
couple his name with a servant-maid:
with any one, indeed, but herself?
you don't answer, Susie" went
on Marie Werner; but [ mustn't tell
tales out Of school, must -" and she
yawned carelessly.
Lucille's face grew hot, and then
cold, but Susie became the color of
the peOny and she stammered;
I'm sure, Miss, Master Harry"
ooh, Lucille" broke in Marie Yer
ner, as if she had not heard her. and
had forgotten the subject; 81 didn't
tell you that I met the marquis in
the park this evening""
NO." said Lucille, coldIy. She
scarcely noted the remark in the
emotions which the speeches linking
Susie to Harry Herne had aroused.
yes, and we had quite a pleasant
chat. Do you know the more [ see
Of Lord Merle the better l like him?
He was most pleasant and agreeable
this afternoon; and as Mrs. Dalton
says, he is a most polished gentle
man. Do you remember-but of
course you dO-the fun We had over
that secret plate-closet of his? What
an enormous quantity of plate, wasn't
it? | had my little joke about burg
lars in my little playful way, but
really, when one comes to think
about it, what a tremendous haul
burglar would make if he got into
that closet! That's a fearfulIy hard
brush you have got, Susie. An enorm-
Gus quantity of plate" continued
Marie Werner; there must be thous-
ands Of pounds worth there-enough
to make man rich for life, the burg
lar sort of man, l mean. You may
depend upon it if it was known that
there was such a treasure slowed
away there, that some one would try
and steal it,"
She paused to yawn, and Susie sus-
pended her brushing to listen open
mouthed, then fell to work harder
than ever.
"A man might break in there quite
easily and carry off The lot, and then
make for Spain, or some place where
We cannot touch him.
You forget" said Lucille as gent
ly, and for the sake of speaking,
that it is quite secure against all
who do not know the secret word
which must be found upon the key"
"Oh, of course assented Marie
Then she yawned again. ''The Sc
cret word. Oh. Lucille, do you know.
now | think of it, the marquis and |
talked about that plate this after
noon, and just try and guess what he
said?"
4 cannot. l am not good at guess
ing" said Lucille, colby and absent
ly.
you won't! Well, you would never
guess! Why. what do you think ?" and
she leaned back so that the chair
tilted on tiptoe, her yellow hair hang,
ing down below her waist. her frank
innocent eyes burning with archness
and meTriment. Il asked him to tell
me the secret word which unlocked
his treasures! You remember he
promised to tell me whenever
asked? Do you remember?'
Yes assented Lucille, absentIy.
Susie piled the brushes on the
golden locks, but listened with limo
cent, curious eyes vide open.
We'll, wanted to see il he would
keep his promise. You know what
men are. dear-all honey and sugar.
polished and politeness. until they are
put to the test And so | thought
would put the marquis to the test.
asked him she repeated slowly, in
so many words to tell me the secret
word which, spelled on his key.
would prove an open sesame TO his
wonderful plate cupboard"
And he refused to tell you" said
Lucille. CURLY.
Refused, How lite you know the