Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-26
Bsn'pffatit8artR~sst.
BERTHA DA[TON'S TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY or AN OPAL RING.
GContinued.l

a gift in his pocket which he intended
to present by way of assuring himself
how the land lay.
At first he had hoped to persuade
Lena to agree to secret engagement,
if not to secret marriage; but he soon
found that he must give up any such
idea. There was a certain dignity about
her that kept him in check, just as Lena
intended it should. Nor could he fat
ter himself that he had excited any such
feeling in her breast as would induce
her to make a sacrifice for his sake. He
perceived, as plainly as if Lena had put
it into words, that, If he desired to win
her, it must be openly-that she would
condescend to nothing less than an &C.
knowledged position. This conviction
forced upon him, had cost him many
anxious days and sleepless nights; but
now, as he found himself alone with
her, as he sat opposite to her gazing at
her beauty, he was carried away by his
passion. OF self-restraint he knew
nothing; he told himself that he would
not, could not bear to leave his fate
longer undecided-that he would dare
all rather than run the risk of losing
her; and, if anybody came between
them, let them beware!
He moved his seat close to Lena's;
her heart began to turn sick within her,
but she made no Sign-she merely re-
marked ON the beauty of the day. Fan
court drew a morocco case from his
pocket, and edging his chair nearer till
it touched hers, he opened the case and
laid the contents before her.
"Oh, how beautiful" she exclaimed,
as she saw a splendid diamOnd-and-em-
erald bracelet displayed.
'Do you admire it?" Fancourt asked,
fixing his bold eyes upon her, and bend
ing till she felt his hot breath on her
cheek. at is for my future Wife"
Lena shrank back in spite of herself;
but she made up her mind and stifled
her repugnance.
"Your future wife!" she exclaimed,
with a pretty pretense of surprise
"Oh, Mr.. Fancourt. how sly of you to
keep such secret all this time. Who
is the lady, if l may ask"
'Do you not know. MadelinaT" in
quired Fancourt, still keeping the same
position.
81? How should I possibly know?"
she answered, with bewitching air of
coyness.
fIt is you, Lena" said Fancourt,
seizing one Of her hands and carrying
it to his lips.
Lena trembled. There was yet time
to draw back. The case with its glitter
ing treasure lay on her knee; should she
tell him to take it away-that she would
have none of it? Fancourt saw the
hesitation; he felt the hand he held half
withd avn, but clasped it closely.
Lena he said, II love you passion
ately, desperately! You must have
known it. You may make of me what
you will, but: by Heaven, l will never
give you up"
His face glowed, his voice became al
most hoarse with concentrated passion;
he felt at that moment capable of kill
ing her, rather than that she should
ever belong to another.
"What would you have that cannot
give your" he continued, speaking thick
and fast. "Wealth? Everything that
you can desire shall be poured out at
your feet! Rank? You shall queen it
with the highest in the land-more
beautiful than them ALL"
Again he attempted to draw her to-
ward him. and this time she did not re-
sist, though still her heart sank within
her. Until quite lately she had never
thought of love in her visions of the fu-
ture, never longed for it; why should
she feel pang of regret that she was
shutting herself out from it for ever?
1t was only fair exchange that this
man wanted, a bargain-she giving her
beauty, he riches and position. AS he
felt her yield, he looked at her exulting--
ly, and then, throwing his arms round
her, he kissed her passionately, almost
fiercely, on her cheeks, her eyes, her
lips. She, pale, and cold as ice, yielded
for moment to his embrace, and then
Shudderingly strove to extricate her.
self. Her lips quivered; she covered
her face with her hands.
"You are too rough, and too bold"
she said.
''Then let me make atonement," he
requested, as he stopped for the brace
let that had slipped from her knee.
''Let me clasp this on that lovely arm;
'pon my honor, l had no intention to
offend. You don't mean to say fellow
isn't to take kiss from the girl he
lovesp And l do love you, Lena-by
Jove, / dol" AS he spoke he dropped
on one knee, and, drawing down her
hand, clasped the splendid bracelet
round her arm. "Now, hold YOU
mine,n he cried, his eyes all aflame-
A'mine, whatever comes?"
Again Lena shivered as if a cold
spirit-breath had touched her. Was it
a warning? If so, it passed unheeded.
Yes" she responded family, her
pulses seeming to stand still.
He would have clasped her again, but
she sprung from her seat; she could
bear no more. Her cheeks flushed
scarlet.
II wish you would CO." she cried;
.'you have agitated me. Iwould rather
be alone."
"Go," exclaimed Fancourt, ''now that
you have said the word? You are
enough to drive fellow distracted
'pon my honor, you are!"
lantly. "Why am 1 driving you dis
tracted? I am not quite well-m head
wellYn
"No, see nothing but that you are
the most beautiful of women; and you
are minel" said Fancourt, as If to as
sure himself of the fact.
YES" Lena admitted, once more,
sinking into her seat again, and passing
her hand across her brow; land now
go-you persecute me-"
Fancourt's brow knitted; an evil look
came into his eyes. He knew that this
woman who had promised to be his did
not love him; but he would have her
nevertheless. No thought of giving
her up crossed his mind.
''You speak strangely, fair Lena, he
said, bitterly, resuming his seat by her
side, and placing his arm round her
waist. Its queer way to treat o
fellow you have just accepted; by Joye,
it is!''
Lena's breast heaved; she could
scarcely keep from hysterical crying.
GGT liz, oyy, xx,a1l - c1, cold. tit