Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-28


don never once thought !"
You arc forgiven, Miss Kitty. In
Your various mconsciousncSs Of tread
ing upon dangerous ground lies the re-
ceipt of cure for what is perhaps NOR
bid senSitiveness to my mfrmity.
Lucretia had not heard these re-.
marks. She had alighted and gone to
the poor little victim Of Sclfconhdcncc.
Taking him up tcnderly, She found that
his injuries were confined to broken
leg sowith much petting and soothing,
she took her delicate cambric handker-
chief and bound up the wounded mem.
her Coming to the carriage she lifted
up pleading face.
May | take him in9-Sec-h is
somebody's pet. Look at his collar. 1t
is Of silver, and his name -Fidgct-is
engraved upon it. Some one is mourn
my for his loss. We can advertise to-
morrow
OF course the little animal was ad-
mittcd on the prayer of such an inter.
estlng special pleader, and the party
We're soon speeding homcwardS
All were strangely quiet, even kitty's
chattcring tongue had received il sud
den quietus, and Mr.. Bertram was in Il
brown study
At last Lucretia looked up and met
his eyes fixed with strange tenderness
upon her face
knew YOU think me very silly,
Mr.. Bcrtrnm, but | can't help IL |
shouldn't have had Il moments COM
fort for days if had lef that poor little
thing to suffer"
No, Miss Armstrong, you are mis-
taken about my thoughts. MAY call in
the morning and express them to YOU
moro fully than ! can do now"
lucrctia looked ut him, but thinking
by his expression that he was quiazing
her, said indiilerently-
Z | suppose You wish to classify my
folly by some learned name. Search
the records, by all means, and be
sure to relieve my suspense in the
morning
! Will most assuredly do SO"
The low, deep voice had M earnest
hess uncallcd for by the occasion, Ln-
erctla thought and then dismissed the
mattcf from her mind and gave herself
up to the enjoyment of her drive.
According to promise, the next morn
ing MIR. Bcrtram called md asked for
Miss Armstrong, and was informed that
Lucrctla had taken her portfolio with
her, and strolcd OIL into The park that
lay just bchinc the residence, and into
which any of the family or their friends
We're ut liberty to wander whenever they
felt disposed.
Here, seated ON small mound. cvi-
IDENTITY lost III Thought, he found Luere-
tia, and, before she was fairly aware OF
his presence, he had thrown himself
down At her feet, and pronounced her
name.
She looked up with II start, and then,
observing that his face was very pale,
she cried
" Are you not well, Mr.. Bertram? Can
| do anything for your
lie gave sudden start MS she spoke,
and his face lost its pallor in IN agitated
rush Of color.
" Yes, Miss Armstrong, you can il
you will. viii you forgive me if | ask
you to listen To me while tell you my
motive in coming here this morning p
Iucrctla, in silent wonder ut his agi-
tation, settled herself TO listen to what
he might have to say.
Miss Armstrong Lucrctin you Sec
before YOU u man who seemed at one
time to have been selected for fortunes
favoritc. Wealth, kind friends and
health, joined to an unblemishcd phvsi-
que, were mine until the accident oe-
enred which made me cripple. Until
very lately have been contcntcd, not
withstanding my misfortune, although
! had given upall thought Of ever being
other than ! nm il lonely bachelor.
But have fallen under Il new influence,
that of love, and it rests with You to say
whether my future is to he happy or
miserable"
His meaning, by this time, began to
dawn upon Lucretia.
She rose abruptly.
No, hear me through
A he spoke he took her hand gently,
and said
Please sit down, and be your own
quiet, kind self until finish my story.
even If your heart cannot respond 10
the ovcrpowering passion which fills
mlno with your sweet image TO Tie ex-
.elusion Of All other thoughts and feel
ings J know lam not fitting loycr II
oller himself
Lucrctia put out her hand with All
imperative gesture
Do not say that 1t is not 50
Any girl might be proud Of such an
offer.
Then YOU viii say Yes nn broke III
tie eager lover. ! You will bc ny
Wifeg
i i 70 sudden. ! lad not once
thought Of you in that light" was the
hesitatng reply.
=. .EnIl - 80 L. ~: .1.E. i