Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-06-30

ously with the claret cup, but Guy
shook his head.
Give me some champagne, please. +"
The man poured him out huge
glass, and Guy emptied it and had il
to be refiIled
Then, with the briIliance in his
eyes still more marked, and with a
flush upon his handsome face, he
went back, into the ballroom and
made straight for the wearer Of the
diamonds an pearls.
Diana MeIford looked up as he ap-
preached and gave him the faintest OF
mods, and went on with her converse
ton with the man sitting next her.
Guy knew him; it was one Of the
Wealthiest peers in the cOuntry-aIi
cid man Of seventy, and there was in
his eyes as distinct an admiration for
the beauty by his side as a man dare
show
Guy laughed to himself with wild
fseif-mockery.
81 may be too late even to save
Latcham!"
Almost as If she had heard him, Di-
ana Melford looked up with the sud
cen fash of her large, beautiful eyes.
what are you muttering to your
self about, Lord Kendale?" she said.
The old peer beside her took the
hint of course, and, rising with a
bow, gave place to Guy.
do you want to know"
Did | not ask? But | am net so
curious about that question as about
, the other?" she replied
what is the other?" he demanded.
Her eyes dropped, and she plucked
at the feathers on her fan; then she
raised her head and looked at him full
in the face, with a kind of accusing,
reproachful gaze.
''Why have you avoided me for the
last three days?"
do you know what the astronom-
ers have to refrain from looking at
the sun too often? 1t is dangerous.
They go blind, and sometimes lose
their wits"
l
rather large compliment, isn't it,"
''Not too large! See how many OF
us bask in your beams!"
''HoW tired the sun must be of al
ways sEining!"
(Which means"
''That I should like to retire be-
hind a cloud for a little while"
He rose at once and held out his
arm, and, gathering up the train OF
her exquisite dress, she slipped he1
arm in his. He led her to one Of the
side rooms and wound her a seat
but she would not sit down.
Il am tired of sitting" she said
"let us stand. I am so sorry about
, your horse"
For heavens sake, say no more.
want to forget it tonight, and every
body reminds me of it, Poor Gipsy."
What am | to say to you, then:
You Stay away three whole days as
lf--as If We had the plague: and then
when you conceive hours late tc
the ball, which is yours as much as
anybody's-you fly at me! What have
done?'
AS She spoke she raised her ewes
and let them fall upon him with a
| look which, when it comes from such
a woman, is sometimes madGening
always irresistible.
Guys blood rose. He had had more
champagne that day than ne had
drunk for a year. The light, the mu
sic, the despair that burned within
him, were telling upon him.
Let US dance!" he said.
But | am engaged" she said.
Refer him to me- he said, reck
|, lessly.
DO you think | want duel on my
conscience? But I suppose you must
have it, if you must! Your humor to-
night is too much like that of wild
Indians to be balkedi'
She put her hand on his shoulder
end his arm encircled her waist.
Some faint perfume, perhaps from
the eX0tics In her hair, and the bosom
OF her dress, diffused itself over his
senses. Never had she looked more
beautiful than tonight, ne thought
forgetting how often he had thought
the same bofer. From the diamonds
which shone upon her white throat
and matchless arms, specks of fire
seemed to strike and dazzle him. Her
breath came in long, soft infections
as she danced, and her touch seemed
to cling to him with tender. appeal-
ing regard. In short, the charm of a
lsuperlatlvely lovely woman, dancing
with the man she wished to conouer
and bMng to her feet, was WORKING
through all his veins.
The music made mad revelry in his
mind, the despair which had settled
upon him gave place to a reckless
Wlldness, and once he pressed her so
closely to him that the blood mounted
70 her face and her lips parted with a.
aalf-passionate sigh.
Stop" she breathed at last az
am tired"
1 am fated to exhaust all my part
ners"
1 s'FTo ko y,oo