Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-06-30
DULCIE'S HEART
BY MolLIE MATHER.


take no interest in anything, and her
music was all in minor key. This was
serious with Dulcie, as teaching music
was her profession and Aunt Dulcenia
Stebbins, for whom she was named,
had prophesied failure in her musical
venture when she left the lonely house
that had sheltered her from orphaned
childhood, and had gone into the city
to seek her fortune. Everything would
have run smoothly if Homer had not
appeared upon the scene.
Homer was the assured young man
who had recently broken Dulcie's
heart. She had heard that travel and
change of scene were the remedies
most conducive to the healing of
broken hearts, so Dulcie gloomily
searched the advertising columns of
the papers for some desirable destina-
ton.
ITO rent or for SALE" she read, zone
farm cottage" situated at extreme end
Of BOWman'S village-horse and COW
included in bargain Now, a house
ulated village would appear to be re-
moved from the danger of association
with, or being deceived by, some dan
gerously agreeable man. Dulcie an
Swered the advertisement. She had
an idea of removing her piano to this
isolated spot, and pursuing the further
musical study she needed.
Dulcie warmed to her plan as she
thought of it's possibilities, and she
determined not to return to the city
studio until her heart should be wholly
Indifferent to the humilating pangs re-
Gently inflicted. Homer, by that time
would be married to the gay girl who
had supplanted her in his affection.
When the response to Dulcie's letter
came she ran blithely, for a young
woman of broken heart, to her room,
where she might Immediately pen her
answering letter of agreement.
The communication from the adver-
tiser was surprising. Dulcie frowned
over 1T, because in her new attitude
of bitterness toward the male sex, it
was disturbing to read so honestly dis
interested a letter.
"He could not" this unusual renter
said, consider renting his old cottage
to a solitary woman. For q farmer
and his family the place would not
seem so desolate, he advised her to
look elsewhere, and he signed himself
"Bill Doane"
Dulcie sent a tart reply, to the eff
feet that solitude was what she de-
sired, and that she would arrive by
stated train to look the place over.
She inscribed herself in full, "Dulcenfa
Stebbins.' Back came hurried let
ter; Bill Doane would meet her with
the light wagon at the station when
bus, he wrote travelling in that di-
rection. Dulcie felt the first sense Of
eXhilaration she had known since HO-
mer Stanleigh had so calmly acquaint-
ed her with his engagement.
She decided that she would not be
able to get out to her cottage before
sunset, If she stopped to engage the
young hOusekeeper, and the picture Of
herself riding through summer sun
set in a spring wagon by Bill DOane's
side was adventurous and unusual.
The more desOlate the cottage ap-
peared to be upon approach, the better
Dulcie felt it would fit in with her
own mood. She hoped the young girl
she engaged would understand caring
for a horse and a cow, for Dulcie firm
ly resolved to have no man helper
about, not even a crude Bill DOane.
She was pleased with her find of COM
paniOn.
The big young daughter of Bow
mans hotel keeper eagerly offered her
own services, and was ready to ac-
company Dulcie to where Bill DOane
had agreed to meet her. He was there
when they arrived. Dulcie recognized
him by the light spring cart, then she
flushed an indignant red, which amaz-
ingly turned to rose-colored discOmf-
ture, at his engaging smile.
Dulcie had wished to meet no man;
this immaculate, pleasing, citified
young man was appalling. But Mr..
Doane also appeared surprised and
doubtful
Il came to meet Miss Dulcenia Steb-
bins" he said doubtfully. "A woman
who rented my heirloom cottage upon
the hill"
Dulcie studied her shoes.
1t was evident that Mr.. Bill Doane
had expected from her own spinster-
like name, and the Independent tart
ness of her letter. to meet domineer-
ing elderly woman. All at once both
the letter and her own solitary incina-
ton appeared unaccountably strange.
Il have an aunt" Dulcie suggested,
deceitfully, whose name is also Dull
cenia Stebbins"
II see," said the pleasing young man,
"and you expect her out later?"
Dulcie nodded, mentally deciding
that Aunt Dulcenia should come.