Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-04-08

LQGTe was a mOTH UeduLllu4 HOudu
than Lucille Darracourt as she rode
into her inheritance, it is one Of the
bestknown pictures Of Joshua Rey-
nolds, the picture which a great art
critic declared to surpass any living
woman as real flowers surpass arti-
fetal ones.
The old lady, Mrs. Dalton, sat stifiy
in the carriage, bland and smiling;
Miss Marie Werner, the companion,
bent forward with a half amused, half
ironicaI smile; but Lucille Darracourt
leaned back with a somewhat dreamy
expression on her lovely face. 1t was
not apathetic; it is difficult to say
what it was beyond thoughtful and
somewhat sad.
AS they passed under one Of the
triumphal arches and the crowd
cheered, one man, more observant
than his fellows, remarked:
She's mighty beautiful, but she's
mighty proud
Proud" exclaimed d neighbor !;
"all the Darracourts are proud, and
with reason!"
The carriage approached the last
and the largest Of the triumphal
arches, the one near the gate, and the
road was lined with villagers, who
waved their hats and shouted Miss
Darracourt leaned forward and bowed
her beautiful head, and then dropped
back, and Miss Werner, who, of course,
did not bow, looked sharply from one
side to the other, then turned her eyes
upon the occasion of the demonstra-
ton.
My dear Lucille!" she exclaimed,
with half laugh, how cool you are!"
Cool" said Lucille, letting her
eyes rest for a moment on the eager
ones of her companion.
Cool! Yes! Snow! Ice! Good
heavens, look at me! I'm all excite
ment! Even Mrs. Dalton is moved;
aren't your"
1T is most touching spectacle, -
said the old lady, with prim urban
ity.
Most touching" exclaimed Marie
Werner, mimicking her; land, yet, Lu.
ellie, you take it as if you had been
used to it all your life
What would you have me do?"
asked Lucille Darracourt, quietly.
What would have you do? Any
thing! Eyerything!"
IF l were man, l might get up
and take off my hat and thank them;
but I am not a man"
But, even a poor, miserable woman
might show some emotion" retorted
Miss Werner. But you sit there,
and take it as if you were an en-
press. Who would think that one
month"; week-ago, you were
half-starved pupil in the south OF
F'rance!"
I'VE were very well fed" said Lu-
ellie, with smile
Bah, l know! But think of it! A
pupil at school at st. Malo, with no
expectation of anything better, and
now the mistress of-aIl this" and
she wtYed her hand to right and left.
I'll anything were needed to prove
that you are a Darracourt, which,
thank heaven, there is not, your de-
meanor would complete the evidence"
A faint flush spread over the clear,
oval t9ce Of Lucille Darracourt.
You forget" she said, that all
this welcome is meant for the heir
the Owner-of Darracourt. 1t Is not
meant for me, for me myself, II I had
been anyone else-old, middle-aged, a
man, for instance, they would have
shouted just as heartily. It is the
owner of Darracourt they are well
csming, not me, Lucille
Well but you are the owner of
Darracourt," argued Marie Werner.
and it is for you, and yet you sit
there as calm and cOol-Oh, good gra-
CiOus me, what is that?"
1t was the Darracourt brass band,
which, having caught sigh of the
carriage, had burst forth into dishar-
mony.
We are near the house That is
the brass band
Miss Werner leaned forward, and
as she did so, she saw through the
trees which lined the lane a large edi-
fee to the left of the Court.
What is that?' she asked, pointing
her sunshade at it. That must be
Merle Hall, Lucille, See"
Lucille glanced aside, and just
caught a glimpse of the long, white
facade shining between the trees.
That's the Marquis OF Merle's
place" said Miss Werner, eagerly.
Your nearest neighbor. Lucille. Next
to yourself. the most important per
son in Darracourt. What a beautiful
place."
Lucille Darracourt turned her head,
and glanced at it with faint interest.
Your nearest neighbor, Lucille. l
wonder whether he will be here to
welcome you. He is very poor. and
ought, therefore, to be very polite"
How do you know all this?'
Marie Werner tossed her head, and
laughed. her keen eyes looking to
left and right, and taking in every
thing, as she answered:
Mr.. Head. he lawyer told me,
she said. He might have told you,
but you were too absent-minded, too
absorbed by your new greatness to
pay any attention. Details are my
forte: I revel in them"
4 don't think we ought to talk so
much remarked Mrs. Dalton. grave
Iy: we distract Miss Darracourt
from her dutieS,"