Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-07-28
LORRIE
By CHARLES Garvics

she is in the best and brightest OF
spirits. Quite her old self, as Greta
thinks. with little puzzled and
troubled sigh, however. She talks
with every one, even Sir Christopher,
and, as is always the case, they none
of them have ears for any one else
but Lorrie.
The rector alone seems unmoved by
her Eght-hearteG merriment. Pale,
and wan, and wearied, he sits at the
head of the table, his head bent. his
eyes fixed ON his plate, save when he
rises them now and again to look
across at the lovely face, with its un-
usual hush-at the daughter whom he
loves Sc we'll and whom tomorrow ne
is to give, while life lasts, to Seymour
Melford.
"Lorrie seems to be just waking up
tC the fact that it isn't funeral were
going to celebrate tomorrow" says
Jack to Greta, who says nothing in
response.
your sister has wonderful flow
OF spirits remarks Diana, as they
go into the drawing-room.
Lorries spirits do not evaporate
even during that bad half hour in
which the women are left alone to
drink tea and bore each other till the
men come in.
With sparkling eyes and flushed
cheeks she goes to the piano and en-
ticco the blushing one into singing;
sings, indeed, herself-a rollicking,
jingling, tra-la-la ditty, with which
her clear, musical voice fills the room,
silencing the conversation and max
ing the vague look OF trouble in Gre
ta's eyes still more marked.
Then the gentlemen come in and
begin to drink tea as if they had not
just left their wine, and the buzz of
conversation commences.
Lnrrie sits at the piano, pressing
the keys down noiselessly for some
few minutes, until, indeed, she cam
endure the hum and buzz of voices no
longer, then she gets up and wanders
into the hall.
1t is a foolish thing to dc, for in
half minute Seymour Melford's
soft, catlike step is heard behind He
has come, loverlike, in search of her
80, you are here, Lorrie, dearest"
Il don't attempt to deny it."
Twill you not be cold?'
Cold? No! / am hot-burning hot!
That room is sitting! How can you
endure to sit and talk, talk, talk, by
the hour together?'
I'VE have only been five minutes or
so. am afraid you will catch cold,
dear"
Il never catch cold | came here
because l wanted to get cool and be
quiet"
THAT is a pretty plain hint that my
company is not desired"
Il am not in the talking humor. Go
back and amuse Blush and Giggle or
they will be the death of poor Jack"
Let Jack take care of himself" he
says; Il would rather stay with you,
my darling"
And would rather you went back.
Pray do"
We'll, l will obey you tonight, the
last night, isn't it? Tomorrow you will
obey me-" and he smiles tenderly.
Tomorrow, Lovrie, at this time we
shall be on our way TO France-to
sunshine, and warmth, and happi-
ness!"
"Tonight's tonight, and tomorrow's
tomorrow. Go back and help Jack
and Greta amuse the collection of I'M
happy people we have compelled to
visit us. Go and talk to Sir Christie
pher, and tell stories to Blush and
Glggle II want to be alone a little
While
He can scarcely refuse, and he
goes; but before he does SO he takes
a shawl from the stand and wraps it
round her, muImuring:
Take care, my darling; this hall
is cold after that hot ROOM
Lorrie hears his soft footsteps re-
treating, hears the burst of chatter
Which pours out at the door which
opens TO admit him TO the drawing
room and presses instinctlvely to the
hail door.
How still and peaceful it looks out
there in the moonlight! The dear old
garden: When shall she see it again :?
How many weary months will pass
before she can find it i'll her heart to
fly back to the old home and dream of
the time when she and Guy-W1th a
shudder She stops aud thrusts the
| thought far from her.
What right will she, the wife of
Seymour Melford, have to think of
LORD Kendale, the husband of another
woman?
Her brain is in tummlt, her heart
aching with the weary despair of the
coming morrow; half unconsciously
she opens the door and PAGES down
the smooth gravel path over which
she trotted when child, and goes
down to the gate