Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-04-07
LORRIE

N~OS~~~~~G
could be too good.
my boy shall be a gentleman and
NV gal a iady!'' he had said, and il
money could make them respectively
LADY, and gentleman, then there was
no reason why they should not be.
Certainly Diana Melford looked
lady as she lay full length upon the
couch at the Pines. Lorrie Lattimer's
description of her was not a bad one
but it did not go far enough. Diana
was fair, but the fairness was OF q
marvellous description. Her skin was
like ivory, colored by a master hand
There was not freckle upon her face
not a blemish upon the white neck
and shoulders, and the dark eyebrows
only seemed to make the clearness OF
her skin more lovely.
Her eyes were blue, but at times
they deepened almost into violet; t-aI
hands were not particularly small
Mr.. Melford's were the size of a
shoulder of mutton-but they were
very shapely, and as white as milk.
AS she lay on the couch she looked
like an Ariadne; soft, fair, white
sleek, and sleepy, and no one looking
at her, would ever have guessed that
behind the soft blue eyes was brain
as keen and acute as that of stock
broker.
1t was she who had furnished the
house, chosen the decorations-and
arranged the sober-tinted hangings
and it was she who decided that the
seryants-there was. an army of them
should wear dark, almost sombre
livery, instead of the purple or blue
which her father would have selected
In word, as she lay there, she
looked utterly sleepy. and Indifferent
and careless, but was in reality as
sharp and alert as the tiger who lies
in the jungle with his eyes cloaed and
to all appearances asleep, but who is
quite ready to spring up at the slight
est stirring ofthe underground, and
earn his supper.
Beside her, almost hidden by the
folds of her soft summer robe. lay
Burke's Peerage, and she was about
to take it up again when the clock on
the mantel shelf struck the hour and
before its chimes had quite ceased
the door opened and a footman in sub
dued tones, announced "Mr. Sey.
mOur"
Diana turned her head as a thin
young man entered the room.
He was her opposite in every partic.
ular. She was fair, he was dark, so
dark that there was almost a swarthy
tinge in his complexion. She was tall
for woman, he was very little above
the middle height and while she was,
outwardly, indolent and supine, he
was wiry and energetic. And yet, as
he came across the broad room. there
was a faint resemblance between
them, for he moved with soft tread
which one likens to that of the cat,
and his manner, as he bent over her
and laid his hand which was small
and white, was stealthy and catlike.
We'll, Seymour, you have got back,
then?"
eyes yes"
And father?"
Father? The House is still sitting.
left him in London"
You want your dinner, suppose %
Dinner? No. A mere nothing will
satisfy mel dined in town. Any
news?"
News! What news should there be?
l went to church yesterday, and rode
out today. What news have you got?''
He went to the fireplace, though
there was no fire, and seemed to want
to warm himself.
mot much. They will not make ia.
Their baronet."
MOP"
mo. learned that much. 1t appears
that they have made too many bar.
onets already, and they must hold
their hands,"
Then you will not be Sir Seymour
Meiford. Accept my sympathy"
Thanks" he said.
"And where have you been this last
week."
In good quarters. have been stay.
ing at Latcham Court with the Earl OF
Latcham."
"Oh!'
How did you get there?' she asked
Through the governor The earl
is in Queer street. Hard up! All the
estates that are available are mort
gagged to the neck"
Father has been lending him
money!"
Yes he replied; "a great deal"
There was silence for a moment
during which she spread her skirts
over the 'Peerage" and SO completely
covered it.
And them" she said.
The earl has a son, viscount Ken
dale"
"Yes?"M
He is in the army. Like his father
spendthrift. He will inherit the
title. but if he does not take cares lit
tie else"
Did you see him?"
No ne was on service. Diana. dt
We understand each other?"
I think so" she said, with a sof
smile
Il think so. too. You and / havs
only one object, one purpose in life
to get on. to rise. We are rich, W.
have money. There is no reason VII,
should not die an earl and you /;
countess-at least. Our father was ;
navy. He glanced at the door an,