Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-05-19

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Are you regretting your bargain,
already, Lorrie?"
Not just yet, Guy. Now, agree
But why-why?" he demands,
impatiently.
"Because-oh, Guy, know how stu
pid and silly thing this is you have
done tonight, and / want to avert the
storm for a little. Who knows what
may happen in three months? r.
she laughs with infinite mockery-
catch the measles in the village and
die like heroine in a novel. or-oh,
anything may turn up to prevent your
father regarding me as kind of
stumbling block and blight to the
noble house of Latcham 1t is only
three months! Be good now, Guy,
and say yes
He hesitates moment 1t is not
pleasant prospect of having TO
go to his father and say: Il have
fallen in love and offered marriage to
a young lady whose fortune consists
in her extremely pretty face" And
the chance of postponing the "row"
which would ersue upon the deoiar-
alton is not unwelcome; but still he
hesitates Can he be sure of this beau
tiful little witch who has stolen his
heart? 1t is only by a fluke, as it
were, that he has got her to admit
that she loves him-a little. Will she
keep her promise for three months if
that promise is not made public, and
solemnly ratified?
Well, sfr?" she says, wistfully.
'Lorrie, there is nothing in this
world l could refuse you; am like
reed in your hands, you witch, and
you know it. Yes, you shall have your
way
For three months we are to say no
word Of what has passed between us
tonight. You are to be free. and / am
to be free, as free as tiff you had
not forced me to say-what | did,
Very we'll; but, Lorrie, can l trust
you? You seem to have been mine,
my very own, for such a few minu-
ties. Can l trust you?"
What do you think?'
It was answer enough, andhe was
satisfied.
Jack" she says. 81 can hear him
coming down the road Goodnight
and remember"
CHAPTER TX.
OF the four persons who were out
in the rectory lane so late tonight,
two only sleep soundly-Jack and
Guy. Love as Byron remarks, is of
mans life thing apart, a woman S
whole existence" and notwithstand-
ing Guys honest sincerity, he sleeps
soundly enough.
But now different with Lorrie,
When she throws herself upon her
bed in the dainty little room under
the caves, her whole being is thrill
ing with the electricity of a girls first
passion. To most men a kiss is an
idle thing, matter of little moment,
to be forgotten or remembered as it
may suit the giyer, but to girl in her
teens, a kiss of the first man she has
! loved is fraught with an argosy OF
golden wonder. Lorrie, as she lies
bathed by the same moonbeams which
smiled upon her in the lane, cannot
sleep for the memory of the kisses
that burn upon her lips, and cheeks,
and hair.
To love is good, but to be loved
oh, how much better! To know that
the one man in the world whom one
worships adores one in return!
He loves me! Guy loves me! Beau
tiful!' he called me- Beautiful and
his witch!' - she murmured. "And
I'm not! I'm dark and-and-oh, no,
not beautiful! Not like Diana, with
her golden hair and lovely eyes! And
yet he has passed her by and loves
me! Oh. my darling, my darling!"-
and it was not herself she addressed,
but the vision of Guy-"if you only
knew how I loved you! And he asked
me to be his wife! He would make me
his wife tomorrow if l said 'Yes!' Oh
my darling! my king! Three months.
It is long time. Cant keep silent all
those months? Shall be able to keep
from crying out. He loves me! am
going to be his wife!' I wonder what
Jack and Greta and pupsie would say
if they knew that Viscount Kendale
had asked me to be the Countess of
Latcham! Poor pupsie, am afraid he
would be better pleased if it had been
someone else-Seymour Melford for in
stance! No, it shall be you. nv darl-
ing, or no one else in the wide. wide
world"
The other person who spent a bad
night was Seymour Meiford knowing
full we'll that in his present condition
of mind he should not sleep, he did
not attempt to go to bed. but content
ed himself with such rest as can be
obtained by pacing the floor ali night
He descended to the breakfast
room before his father or Diana were
out of bed, and, afr snatching an
early breakfast, had himself driven to
catch the early London train.
Mr.. Melford had spoken Of his sen
as rather a law ya,InC man huf &C a