Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-01
LEAH.

hair kpotted by cardlnal rlDDOn, IN
dress of pale violet-the whole a
peculiar, picturesque effect in the old
wood. Leah Lindon was looking idly
at the busy workers of an aat-hill at
her feet, and waiting.
A leafy old tree arehed over her;
the sunshine fell warmly into the glade;
the air was filled with balsamic scent
of the pines. Leah waited quietly,
full of the pleasure which surround ed
her.
Suddenly the bushes cracked, and a
man sprang lightly down the bank to
her side-a slender man, of less than
thirty, perhaps, with piercing black
eyes, and smile so disagreeable that
was almost distortion. Leah was not
startled, but she looked surprised.
as it you, Brette?" she asked, put
ting on her hat, which she had been
swinging in her hand, and SO shading
her face.
eyes, it is me-" he answered, COM
ing close to her. "Who did you think
it was 2"
az did not have time to think" she
answered, evasively.
He could not see her tace. The IN
pleasant smile died.
'Don't De disappointed, Leah. Per-
haps he will come yet" he said, mock
ingly.
She did not answer. Suddenly he
threw his arms around her and at
tempted to kiss her, but she put her
hand across his black bearded mouth
and struggled until she released herself.
"You hate me, do your" he asked,
looking at her with savage, cruel
light in his eyes. "Who has taught
you that?"
81 do not hate you. But no not
love you, and cannot let you kiss
me I" painted the young girl, replacing
her hat, her beautiful hair loosed by
the struggle. II will not stay with you
to be treated 30"
And she turned away, yet looked
anxiously down the glade. There was
some one else whom she had expected.
$50 ! am never to kiss you," he
sneered, standing with folded arms and
regarding her. "You are tired of me,
are your And ! am thrown by, like a
glove. For whom, pray%
She stepped back few PAGES, and
iOOKGu Az HlIllJ az lsb5t, Iuily.
81 have been kind TO you-for An
MES sake" she said; then added, AZ if
the words were forced from her: "You
were not kind 10 her"
"Who taught you that?" he asked.
81 can remember Il understand
now, though she never complained"
she answered, nadly, looking again
down the glade.
But no one was coming.
"Do you think do not know who is
talking me down--who has come be-
tween uS-who has supplanted me ?"
he cried. "You have avoided me for
n week-since Preston Atherton has
been here"
Her lip curled family rs she turned
away.
Come between us !" she repeated,
scOrnfully.
He sprang TO her side, walking be-
side her.
"a mans private affairs are his own!
But he WAS always n spy i'll the house.
| would have turned him out of doors,
but that ne was my wife's brother.
And now he comes here, falls in love
with You, and tells you that | ill-treat-
ed Annie, to make common cause with
you-to set you against mel By heav-
enrl he will repent this business"
"Preston Atherton has told me moth
ing but the simple TRUTH" said Leah,
glad that they were nearly out of the
wood, where she felt much safer. Gle
has nothing against you, think. And
if choose TO walk in the wood with
him, when we are both at leisure, it is
nothing to you"
II. ground his teeth.
ado you mean to tell me that you
did not know loved you-that you
do not mean to marry me?"
"Marry you? Neverl" blazad Leah,
wrathful and beautiful.
The look with which ne regarded her
was not good to behold.
He will repent this" ne muttered.
$50 will YOU"
They came silently down the shady
road to the old mansion of Larchlawns,
where they were both guests. The
grand old place had been in the Lyndon
family for Il huMdred years, and in the
summer, Grand-sire Lyndon liked to
gather his grandchildren about him,
no that mt that season of the year it
was always gay.
There was merry party playing
tennis on the lawn beyond the larches,
and III the avenue n bright group or
two. Just inside the gate was a rustic
bench, from which n young man
spraug up and lifted his hat
He was singularly like Brette Del
ford, though it was only chance re-
semblance, there being no relationship
in the case-the same height, com
plexion, featulrs and general air,
, though Preston Atherton was unmis-
takably the better mar of the two.
A gentle yet assured spirit looked
out of the large black eyes; the smile
of the well-cut lips was bright and
harmonious.
Leah crossed instantly to his side,
and he looked down ut her question
ingly.
Did You come through the wood,
after alp he asked. II should have
GENE to meet you, but was told you
were coming home in the boat. The
others are fishing by the ford"
And he looked questioningly Eat
Brette Delford, who turned silently
away, with rude sheer.
Leah sat down Gu the rustic bench,
and looked after the latter as he passed
up the avenue.
"He told your" she asked.
Eyes. | have been moping here,
missing my morning walk with you."
Preston Anterior smiled down into
the lovely face; but Leah continued to
look after DelfOrd
He has y vile disposition" she said
at last. He purposely lied to you. l
am afraid of him."
Afraid
Leah rose, restlessly.
''He was poor Antics husband
poor little thingl l would like to be-
lieve in him, ike him; but l think
there is nothing he would not do to
injuro me-and you"
HAS he been making display of
his temper to your thought he had
more policy"
Preston's glance of surprise was fol-
lowed by one of painful thought.
'But you need not fear him, little
one" he said at length, as if thinking
aloud.
The tender phrase brought up the
girls color, making her exquisitely
beautiful.
AT \ 4