Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-05-28


to him. Mr.. Grafton was q wealthy
bachelor, somewhat gray. and a good
deal bald; he had smiled upon G.e;a
more than once. without receiving any
answering smile; perhaps he thought
Gov that every thing arrives to him who
can afford to wait-that this was his op-
portuIity. His housekeeper had once
engaged Greta to make carpets at Graf
ton place, and he had taken pains to
show her I've the house and grounds,
and had nearly snatched a kiss in the
shadow OF the hndens. as he put her
into his carriage to send her home.
Greta had never worked there again,
but perhaps she was too grateful at
finding a friend at her side in such
stormy weather to refuse a favor from
Mr.. Grafton. and she had forgotten his
audacity. Yet in the midst of her hui
Mutations Greta remembered with a
heart-throb that she had a lover to come
to her rescue If she chose to call HIM
that she should not be dependent upon
Mr.. Grafton's tender mercies after Ste
phen Sotherne had been notified of her
strait. At thesame time, she felt dis
inclined to break the bad news to him
till after all was over. For how could
it be possible for an innocent person to
suffer? But Greta was not 4 little
stunned one morning on receiving a let
ter in the handwriting of her true love-"
which ran in this wise:
"MY DEAR GRETA.-It is some time
since | had the pleasure of hearing from
you, and 1t has occurred to me to ask if
time and distance were not weakening
our hold upon each other; to wonder
how long you would continue to love a
man whom you saw only once or twice
a year, since 1t seems to me hal owing
to the bad times marriage is as in
definitely postponed as the millennium.
Now, my dear girl, | do not wish to
stand in your light; if you were not en-
gagged to me, some more eligible partner
would seek you, | feel certain. More
over, my health is precarious, and the
doctors have advised me to try the air
OF California. 1t is a prescription more
nauseous than drugs, since / must leave
you behind me; but | couldnot in hon
or, carry your promise with me for an
indefinite space of time for my own
selfish satisfaction merely. AT the same
time, believe me, it is no easy thing for
me to Say 'adieu' to the dearest girl in
the world.
Sincerely, STEPHEN S%oTHERNE."
To say that Greta was surprised would
be the same as if we should call an
earthquake unpleasant" She was
thunderstruck, overwhelmed, with Just
spirit enough left to return Mr.. Soth-
erne's letters and presents by the next
mail without a word.
He has heard all about the diamond
and believes it," she thought. 1t would
be a comfortable arrangement if one
could cease to love the instant a lover
proves unworthy, but hearts are no,
fashioned after that banner When
every thought and motive of ones life
is woven up with those Of another, one
can not unravel the tangled web at once.
Another such shock will send me to
the insane asylum" sighed Greta. But
there was another yet in store Tor her.
MIR. Grafton mad taken to dropping in
upon her after her days work. One
evening he said:
"Miss Greta, what if you should be
found guilty of this-this-"
"If they should find me guilty. How
can they find an innocent person guilty?
If | took the diamond, where Is liz"
MIR. Grafton smiled indulgently.
People have been imprisoned, brand
ed, exiled, hanged, and quartered for
sins the.- never committed. IT you we're
guilty YOU would be more likely to es-
cape, you would have land your plans"
Greta gave an involuntary sob; the
tears shone in her eyes. "And there Is
no one to help ne," she gasped, think
ing aloud rather than speaking to Mr..
Grafton.
Yes, yes. there is some one ready to
help you, Greta," said that gentleman;
Il will help you, if you will only give
me the right" he p%etitioned.
You, Mr.. Grafton9 What right can
| give you? | don't understand"
III you were my promised wife
All my dear Miss Greta, don't turn
away your head disdainfully; hear me
out. Mr.. Stoughton is under some ob
legation to me; if you were my prom
ised wife | could write him. There
would be no more said about the miss
ing diamond; it would be accounted tor
In some natural manner. You would
be no longer suspected. No one could
suspect the woman whom Thomas
Grafton delighted to honor"
"4ou-you are vely kind. / thank
you: but | do not love you, Mr.. Graf
ton"
II don't ask you to love me. OF
course you don't; the idea has never.
perhaps, entered your head before. /
only beg that you will marry me. Love
will com sooner or later, as | deserve
1t at your hands. And. My dear Greta,
what better can you do? Who will give