Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-11-21


woman stood holding back with slen-
der, ieweled hand the foam.like draper
ies-a woman so radiantly, rarely beau
uful that even the casual passer.by half
paused with look OF involuntary ad-
miration ON his face.
The low white brow, the great dark
eyes, the curving crimson lips, and way
ing masses of blue-black hair made a
picture almost perfect in its loneliness.
And yet it was not 4 satisfied face
there was look of past pain and pres
ent longing, strangely mingled, resting
upon it. Where the expression lay you
could hardly tell. only it was there.
And this graceful woman, who seem
ed born for the wealth that surrounded
her, was Renee CORTLAND, who had lain
so white and still in Victor Grsy's arms
six long years before.
The change in her life had come SO
suddenly, so Unexpectedly. An uncle
of her fathers who had never spoken
10 him after his marriage with the
pretty French girl, had seen Renee, and
being chil6less, had left her all his
wealth.
"Not for love-" he said, "she was too
like her Frenchi6ed mother for that,
though there was something of the
CORTLAND about her as well, but simply
because she was a CORTLAND and his
nearest of kim"
But loyal Renee had never forgotten
her old friend, for when i'll her stately
home, Margaret Gray was with her, and
every summer the little cottage well
coined her fair young face again.
For weeks and months after the day
she tainted in Victol's arms, Renee had
been the shadow of her former self.
Pale and listless, it seemed as if hope
would never reassert her sway in the
tender young heart, and Victor watched
her, suffering almost as much in his
great love for her.
1t seemed at times to Renee Court
land rs if her heart must break, with
its passionate pain, but hearts do not
easily break at II, and Renee conquer
ed her love, then buried it out of sight
forever, and as time passed ON, II 1t
arose to confront her she put it aside
with all the strength of her nature.
Then came the great change in her
life. and smiles came back to the beau
tiful face, though sometimes the shadow
OF the old pain darkened it.
And four years later she met Lester
Sinclair again. handsomer, it possible,
than ever, with new gravity about him
that became him well.
He had laid his fair young wife to rest
|. f.na
Renee's face grew pale when she first
heard it, paler still as he bent over her
hand, and then the past seemed to be
forgotten.
Even when he married the wealthy
heiress, Clara Duvane, Lester Sinclair
knew that the little, dark-eyed girl held
more of his heat than he would will
ingly acknowledge, and now, seeing hei
day after day, so regal in her loneliness
the old love deepened, till Renee Court.
land held every hope of happiness foi
him..
AS time passed on Victor Gray no.
ticed an added restfulness in Renee's
eyes, that the weary look around her
mouth deepened, and could scarcely
understand it,
He enters the room now, graver, per-
haps sterner than of old, and the girl
came forward to meet him.
You are welcome, Victor" she said
clasping his hand, "and Margaret will
be so very glad"
"You do not look happy this evening,
Renee" he said, his eyes on her face.
The girl turned away with quick,
impatient gesture.
81 am not happy" she said; my life
has been one mistake"
(Which will be righted in time" he
answered quietly, though his face paled
slightly.
When Victor left her she went back
to her place at the window again,
"Will happiness pass me by forever
she cried; sis he blind, or is it that he
will not see!"
Only that morning Lester Sinclair had
stood before this girl whom he had
wronged in her early girlhood, and
pleaded for her love as a man might
plead for life itself.
Coldly, almost haughtily she had an.
swered him
mo. My love for you died years
ago: it could never come to life again.
Renee, Renee!" he cried in a voice
Of passionate pain; and the girl knew
if she wished revenge on Lester Sinclair
most truly she had it now.
"My love died years ago" she repeat
ed more gently, half plying his pain
mo, Lester, it can never be-"
Victor Gray merely went up 10
change his business suit and speak q
few words to his sister, and in less than
an hour he joined Renee again.
As he entered the room he saw she
held portrait in her hand
Scarcely conscious Of what he was
doing, he went forward.
"How you love that man, Renee,
he said bitterly.
The proud dark face flushed.
What man ?" she asked coldly.
"Pardon me, Renee, was rude;
scarcely knew what / said. You are
not angry, Renee?'
The girl was silent for moment
then she crossed over to him.