Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-03-17

almost believe there was a great mis-
take somewhere. It was not at all like
Bertrand Stevens, this long silence, this
indifference.
In the midst of his troubled thoughts
came step up the stairs, and knock
at the door.
"Come in responded Ash, without
rising And the next moment
Bertrand Stevens p
cash Duncan, dear old fellowP' and
the two shook hands like brothers.
There was something hearty and win
ming about this new conner, something
vastly dependable in the look of his
blue eyes, hints of great strength IN
his broad shoulders and six feet of alti-
tude.
After while, "You have been long
time in finding us, Bert"
The frank face darkened.
Eyes: 1 met lady the day after l
landed-Miss Derringer-whot told me
that you bad all moved out west, to
Chicago. So l put my business into
Mr.. RIley's hands and posted out there
to find you-and that is what hindered
me so long.
Ash Duncan's face was full of per-
plexity.
Miss Derringer told you that?"
eyes"
"Why, she knew We were here. She
called on Barbara the very day before
she went to New York What possible
motive could she have had"
"A purely feminine motive, no
doubt. Revenge, probably" interrupt
ed the visitor. "Sam Powers wrote to
me, two years ago, how Miss Derringer
was very gracious to you that first time
you were home on furlough," pursued
the sailor, bluntly, ''and minated pref
ty plainly that it wouldn't be her fault
if she didn't become Mrs. Duncan. I've
been thinking it all over since l found
what a wild-goose chase she sent me
on, and I'm certain"
Ash stopped him,
aft may be as you think, though /
hate to believe such thing of lady.
But Barbara thinks you have forgotten
us all, and Pm afraid, Bert, that Miss
Derringer has succeeded-I'm afraid
you have come too late"
"What do you mean" pallid to the
lips.
"Only this Barbara has gone riding
with Leo Anderson. He has asked her
to marry him, and she will give him
her answer before they return. Her
answer will be yes
Hadn't she faith enough in me to
waltz" In a voice that no effort could
make quite steady.
"She waited four years for you. She
has waited ever since your ship came
III, hoping day by day to see or hear
from you, until last week Captain Brass
told her that he met you a month ago
in New York in company with lady +"
eyes; recollect meeting him on the
street one day. And the lady was Mrs.
Leith, the owners wife,"
Ash Duncan groaned. 1t was all so
easily explained now when one knew
the straight Of the matter
Pm sorry for this, Bert" he said,
''sorry, sorry-for your sake, and Bar
bara's too"
She's the only woman | ever cared
for III my life. Tell her so, will you 1t
won't interfere with her duty to her hus-
band to know that was true" in voice
that hardly sounded like Bertrand Stew
ems.
He got up to go then "I'll tell her"
and the two men shook hands with
grave faces.
Going slowly down the stairs together
they met Kathie coming up, hurried
and breathless.
OH Ash-Mr. Stevens" catching
her breath to speak, "Mr Anderson and
Mrs. Elliot Anderson are bringing Bar
bara home-hurt. The carriage was
observation-disclosures say"
In an instant Bertrand Stevens was at
the foot OF the stairs and had flung the
front door wide open. Through this Ash
Duncan saw the carriage standing there,
and n large, fair woman, whom he re-
cognized rs Leo Anderson's sister in
law, supporting Barbara. He saw Bert
stride down the steps and across the
pavement to the carriage with the air
of one having authority, and heard Bar
bara's startled cry as she opened her
eyes and saw who was beside her.
"Havo you come at last, Bertrand
am so glady"
Without SO much rs 'by your leave,
sir" to Mr.. Anderson, standing by, he
took her from Mrs. Elliott's arms and
bore her into the house, Ash and Kathie
to make whatever explanations they
might think necessary.
1t was pleasant to feel her head lying
against his shoulder once more, and
the touch Of her hand on his neck
thrilled him. He could not forbear
kissing her right there in the hall, even
before he asked:
"Are you badly hurt, darling?"
mo, not very. The worst hurt was
TO think that you had forgotten me-"
81 have never forgotten you, Bar
bara-neyer ceased to love YOU"
She nestled closer to him as he said
that. / do not think that even he
guessed how she had hungered for
those words that set her fears forever
at rest.
Are you mine yet, Barbara?"
She looked up timidly into his face.
Maybe you would not care to lsk
me that question if you knew how
near | came to accepting another man
to-day.
LEO Anderson. Yes, | know, and
knowing, | ask you the question just
the same-do you still love me we'll
enough to be my wife? Remember,
dear, YOU are deciding my life's happi-
ness rs well rs your own"
Well, it was like Barbara Brandt TO
give him the promise he asked for
without waiting to inquire what had
kept him away SO long. He made that
all clear Ill moment, however. A
sentence or two of explanation while
Ash and kathie were coming up the
stairs, and Barbars's face showed that
she understood Women have good
memories, sometimes, and Barbara
was woman enough TO remember Miss
Derringer's old-tme partiality for her
brother, and to connect it in some way
with the present situation.
Ash came in with an odd mixture OF
alarm and pleasure and quizzical fun
expressed in his countenance.
Barbara, Mr.. Anderson says he went
for a physician before bringing YOU
home, which was very prompt and kind
of him, I'm sure. Shall we have the
doctor up when he comes ?" looking at
her bright face which certainly was not
calculated at this moment to cause him
much uneasiness on account of her in