Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-04-07

"Your nearest neighbor, Lucille.
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, the 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: l revel in them!"
81 don't think we ought to talk so
much,' remarked Mrs. Dalton, grave
ly; "we distract Miss Darracourt
from her duties!"
"Duties!' echoed Marie Werner;
what duties? All she has to do is
to bow Acknowledgements to the hom-
age of her adherents and retainers."
"And the proper demeanor to be
observed in acknowledging the re-
spectful greetings Of a crowd is no
light natter said Mrs. Dalton,
solemnly. Il have heard my father,
who was an aide-de-camp to the great
Duke of Wellington, declare that the
reception of the homage of a crowd
required grace and genius COM
bined.''
"Then, Lucille has them to per-
fection!" replied Marie Werner,
promptly. can empress couldn't
smile and bow more graciously and
gratefully I do wonder whether the
marquis will be there to meet us!
You don't know, suppose, that OAR
racourt itself belonged to the late
marquis, and that it was only by a
f1uke that your uncle got it?"
81 am afraid know very little
about anything! You shall tell me
when we get"-she paused second
home"
ooh, Mr. Head will be there, he'll
tell you. He likes to hear himself
talk. It's strange story! Oh, what
crowd! Look, Lucille; what mag
nificent gates! Behold, we are near
ing our palace!'
The carriage, with its four grays
and positions, had reached the
lodge gates, and passed under the
arch. The Darracourt brass band
played out at it's loudest, the people
shouted, the men waved their hats,
and one or two children, made bold
by the beauty of their new mistress,
ran up to the carriage and tossed
some wild flowers into Lucille's lap.
The gates flew open with clang,
but the carriage still remained stand
ing, and an old man in smock frock
hobbled forward.
"The Oldest inhabitant," whispered
Marie Werner. Nov, Lucille, pre-
sent arms and prepare to receive
speech"
The old man came forward, bare
headed, and peered up at the ladies.
(Which be the young mistress?' he
quavered.
81 am Miss Darracourt.'
"And l be Simon Taller, Miss; the
oldest man on the estate be come
to wish you welcome to the Court,
Miss. And welcome you be; God bless
your pretty facet"
This abrupt conclusion of what was
evidently great speech gone wrong
so exactly nit the sentiment of the
crowd that they cheered and cheered,
until the terrible arch shook again.
The flush deepened on the face of
the beautiful girl; then faded away,
and left her rather pale, as she bent
forward.
Thank you, thank you all very
much she said. st hope, am sure,
that we shall be great friends. Thank
you once more"
1t wasn't very much of speech,
but the musical voice, with the Oar
racourt ring in it, seemed to make up
for the brevity of the Grafton, and go
straight to the hearts of the simple
people. They cheered, and shouted.
and pressed round the carriage, and
it was not until the prancing of the
restless horses threatened to deal
death and destruction all around that
the carriage was permitted to go on
it's way.
What an article this will make in
the local paper!" said Marie Werner.
arrival of the heiress at the Court!
Magnificent reception by the ten
antry! Crowd surrounding the car
riage! Strewed with flowers! Flo
quent address by Miss Darracourt!'
Lucille smiled, her eyes fixed upon
the court, which now came into view,
her fingers caressing the flowers.
you have fine talent for bur-
lesque, Marie" she said
Haven't L? 1t is my only gift. Ii
could only have persuaded that old
man to dance breakdown, should
have been completely and ecstatical-
ly happy"
Really, Miss Verner,' said Mrs.
Dalton, in solemn remonstrance; the
present does not appear to me a fit
ting moment for such pronounced
levity. Dance IA breakdown"
"Hush!" said Marie Werner; "here