Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-01-18
SELECTED MISCELLANY.
BRnTNA zAKLs STORY.

From the Northern Monthly Magszinel
''You are quite certain, Bretna?
There must be no mistake now, re-
member"
'sAs if there could baI' 1 answered,
meeting fearlessly the stern eyes
which were searching mine through
and through. Il have loved yOu al
ways, always"
''Sueh a harsh man as 1 can be, do
yOu dare to love? Better say fear,
Bretna"
81 do not fear you. Arthur, 1 love
you," / answered again, smiling my
content and happiness back into his
eyes.
eff should find hereafter" he went
on Ia measured tones that sounded al
most cruel, ''that you were not true
In every thought, / should strike you
down as would strike a treacherOUs
dog that thwaTted me"
He stopped abruptly, his face grow
ing hard and fierce, and holding me of
at arms length, said eOOlly:
lyon can go back If you choose
Bretna"
''You could do without me?" 1 cried,
drawing away swiftly from his touch.
80 Arthur
He reached out, and catching hold of
my arm drew me toward him.
;''No, could not Heaven forgive
me I viii not. You are mine.
Dark, morOse man that he was, low
ing and hating with an intensity abso-
lutely fearful, it was little wonder that
he reused ali the depths of my passion
A. = 4.
with no questiOnIngs and no real knowl-
edge of his nature, trusted him as
one should trust only the truest and
nOblest. Left alone early In life, with
no near relatives save one cousin, /
gave to this loan what others give to
father, mother, and lover He was my
all. If his love failed, my world was
lost.
The larch tassels waved gayly in the
summer air, and the syringes scattered
their snowy blossoms about us as we
turned our steps slowly homeward.
At the hedge-gate Arthur stopped.
''YOu and viii never be alone again,
little one." he said, dewy moisture
shining in his eyes.
''NeVer r. answered.
de bent down and kissed my lips.
'"This world is pleasant, after all, since
you are found, he said, his voice
quivering; "but would to God / had
looked into Your face a little earlier,
Bretna, my poor darling"
''Not poor, Arthur rich and happy
as any queen, said eagerly, breaking
IN upOn him.
He started violently at my ans yer,
as if suddenly reminded of something
unpleasant, looked at me keeniy for an
instant, then opened the gate quietly
and We passed through. As WEI came
upon the piazza, quick steps sounded
IN the hall and the door opened before
us.
"Cousin Richl" I cried, springing
forward and welcoming him. Then,
remembering Arthur, 1 turned to pre-
sent him, and such a look as I saw
upon his facel
1t was as if one should suddenly
come upon his own open-mouthed
grave, and knew there was no escaping
It's narrow walls.
''Are you her cOusin?"
''By heayeni Are you her lover?"
Each said the words in the same
breath, while they glared at each other
fercely, and clenched their hands as if
for battle.
dropped back beside Arthur,
Eyes, he is my lover, Rich," I said
quietly.
''But you shall not love him. he
answered swiftly, drawing me away
from his side.
Arthur had stood quite still, his face
white and rigid, after his words, until
he saw me leaving him-that aroused
him.
His lips closed dangerously, and a
bright color sprang into bis cheeks.
Beware, Richard Earl This cousin
of yours, if such she be, is mine-mine
by the right of her love, as well as my