Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-12-29
The TRUE LOVE
BY MoLLlE MATHER.
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Copyright, 1920, Western Newspaper Union
Marcia sat, looking gloomily down
| into the garden where her guests were
assembled. To Marcia, in her ambi-
tious pride, had come crushing blow.
Lawrence, the brother in whom all her
affections conferred, was in disgrace.
Disgrace in connection with any
Fleming would have been bad enough,
but the word applied to Lawrence, was
an awful thing.
Marcia had not cared particularly
for the husband whose wealth enabled
| her to put the engaging Larry through
| college. 1t had merely been con-
venient that James Wells had asked
her to marry him at that unfortunate
time, when her aged father had
taken upon himself a second wife.
This young woman, who had been
the lawyers trusted secretary was
named by him Immediately as the fu-
ture possessor of his diminishing for
tune.
! Marcia, so her father declared, had
shown him neither consideration nor
affection therefore, she must plan her
! QWn way. Lawrence had been an in
dulged and not ungrateful son, but
he, too, must seek his own.
Marcia, dumbly indignant, had ac-
cepted James Wells, believing thus to
settle the question Of the future for
| them both.
Everything, including the family
| heirlooms, were bequeathed to the
faithful young woman who was his
second wife.
Marcia was enraged and Larry ap-
parently Indifferent. Marcia then de-
cided secretly upon an advantageous
| marriage for Lawrence.
Cleyerly she selected from among
her friends a certain young woman,
| fortune Favored, for Larry's entertain
ment; while he, in his ingenious d
esty, endeavored gratefully to b. en-
tertainer OF His sisters guests. But,
to Marcia again came disappointment.
Those to whom he should have shown
1iattering attention were neglected for
maidens less desirable; until finally
Larry made the poorest choice of all.
SO Marcia thought, and she taxed
her diplomatic powers in keeping her
brother from too much of Kitty Vans
delightful companionship. Kitty was
delightful, Marcia was obliged to adj
,,,it hA hot nf
her husbands, even though poor re-
latiOn, it was impossible to dismiss
Miss Kitty from her hospitality. The
disgrace which had fallen disas-
trously during the progress of the
house party-given in Larrys interest,
was occasioned by the disappearance
Of valuable article named in her IA
theirs will. The COPY painting Of the
testator's grandfather, the document
said, would be the property of his
wife, Sylvia Fleming, to dispose of as
she so desired
"Old Grandfather" Lawrence had
remarked, "is SO directly responsible
for my own sad features"
able. But it was further believed
that notes more valuable than the
painting were hidden in it's frame.
There was a sensation. therefore,
when after the funeral the picture
was missing from its years old place
On. the wall. 1t was during Marcia's
house party that maid accidentally
discovered the painting carefully COW
cred in a far recess of Larry'S own
clothes closet. Mrs. Sylvia Fleming
was still abroad. The maids public
announcement caused CONSERVATION
and disgrace for Larry. He had grown
white at the girls abrupt declaration,
and haltingly denied knowledge of
the affair. The guests had been pO-
lite in their dismissal of the subject
but Lawrence was, thereafter, avoided
even by the charming maids who had,
before, sought his society. Marcia
was in despair.
Marcia, struggling for composure
that evening saw Constance Brisby ig-
more her place card next to Larry's
plate at dinner, and pass on to an
other seat. Then she also saw little
Kitty Van slip into that despised
place, with a laughing remark, to
which her brothers grateful glance re-
sponded Kitty Van had become alb
Surdly popular among the guests, car
rying off many coveted favors. So
Kitty beamed now upon her friends.
Its nice that l am to sit beside
Larry" she remarked, 1--WE can Won
der and guess as much as we like
about how that old painting came to
be in his closet. 1t couldn't have
flown there, you know, so of course
Lawrence is much perplexed about it,"
The guests endeavored to hide their
confusion. The subject had been
taboo. But Kitty was undismayed.
'Now how" she asked generally,
do you people suppose it happened?'
From the doorway came a voice.
Sylvia Fleming hastily arrived, stood