Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-18
CHAPTER III.

The twilight oil inc next udy was ba.h-
ering as Miss Hugo came out OF the gates
Of the great house with a roll Of music in
her hand, and walked swiftly towards
home. A dark, tall figure followed her,
gaining rapidly on her footsteps. She
stopped, waiting for him to come up.
"F'red, | can't have this; you mustn't
do it,"
"Wby not?'' he asked eagerly. II am
going away with Briton next week, you
know; don't make me more miserable
than | am"
ats very FOOLISH" and she let him
walk on at her side, talking To her in hap
by, broken sentences.
"In twelve months | shall be my own
master, when come back from that hate
full Continent, and then we'll get married,
eh, MiIdred?''
81 don't know"
You wouldn't have the heart TO jilt
me now, Mildred 2"
She stopped, her face flushing, her
voice hot and broken.
Mr. Harold, understand plainly there
is no engagement between US. / will not
be bound in any way" He tried to speak,
but she went on" don't care for you
YOU know | don't / wish you would go
homc-you make me very uncomfort-
able
az beg your pardon. Don't be cross,
Mildred. OF course / know that you
can care for me as ! do for you, but l
am sure | can make you happy"
They had reached the garden gate by
this time, and Mildred leant back on 1t TO
answer him
People can be very wicked NJ three
thousand year, Fred
"Perhaps so--what do you mean?"
/" Has il ever struck you that you are
tempting me very much, even if cared
for anybody else? | have To work hard
for my living. and you will be rich
man"
~ never thought of it like that" he an
swcred simply. / have too much faith
in you, Mildred, to think that you would
marry me for money. / knew you
wouldn't, dear"
" It would be very personal---very.
pleasant to marry you, and for your Sis
tiers to 90 back to Lancashire"
81 would make everything pleasant to
YOU, il you would marry me, Mildred"
There was moments silence between
the two. The night wind Whispered in
the boughs above them, the quiet moon
light fell on the churchyard and the silent
fields. Suddenly, with gesture Of pain,
as though she tore something from her
heart and cast it down, Mildred answered
i will marry you, Fred"
He would have clasped her in his arms,
but she stepped back, shutting the gate
between them.
go now. am tired, and j have TO
practice the organ for tomorrow"
When shall see you again." he
asked, eagerly.
81 don't know. Oh! / am so tired.
Why won't you go?"
II am going. Good-by, dear" She went
up the path and left him.
In the parlor the fire burnt brightly
Iiollo sprang up to meet her, wagghg his
tail in ecstalic joy. She took him up in
her arms as If the touch of some warm
living thing could ease the throbbing of
her heart.
Bought with price" The words
were echoing in her thoughts rs she laid
her brow on the cold chimney-piece, with
strange sudden memory of whose arm
had rested there the night before.
CHAPTER III.
The Sunday morning dawned bright
and clear. Mildred was up early-she
was organist at the church opposite, and
generally pacticed little before the SER
vice began. With her music In her hand
she came across the road and opened the
wicket by the large gate.
A tall figure was standing in the shadow
of the porch. In dull surprise Mildred
found herself shaking hands with MIR.
| Briton.
81 came down this morning. / could
not resist the temptation OF spending an
other Sunday here, and have some news
to tell you, Mildred"
She sat down on the porch seat, hardly
speaking.
II arm so happy" he said, eagerly; 81
came straight down here to speak To you.
Mildred, you won't be SO cruel today.
love you dearly"
"Hush," she said, picking up her mu
sic and smoothing out the leaves with
trembling hands; "You mustn't speak Ia
me like that--I have never given you any
right 70 do So"
81 haven't" she returned, in stiHed
voice; ~ am very sorry, but"
"What do you mean ?" he asked, sternly
| ~ am cngageO, Sne Sdiu, ALMOST III
whisper. "Why do you look at me like
thaty have done no more than girls dc
every day"
He took her music from her hands and
| put 1t on the seat, and held her trembling
fingers In his tight clasp.
"What do you means" he answered
harshly. "What are you talking about
Mildred" By a violent effort she re
gained her calmness, and stood up.
Il am engaged" she said-his lool
forced her to add despite herself, ITO Fred
Harold"
A look of the most intense contemp
and disgust crossed his face.
"A worthy rival" he said scornfully
ut has half cured my love for you L
know you would choose thing like that
with no mind Of his own" His angel
and disdain made her quite. calm again.
I'VE won't discuss his character" sh,
said. "Can't we be friends still, Mr.
Briton!"
"Friends" he repeated, without touch
| ing her hand-''you are q strange woman
| Mas HuUO IN fhiuk that L can foo1 an,