Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-01-27

Giving orders not to be disturbed, she
seated herself at her desk, but one by
one two scalding tears fell from the
beautiful, proud eyes upon the blank
page spread before her.
They were the unconscious baptism
OF her awakening womanhood. Then
she wrote, but it was her hearts blood,
rather than the ink, which spread itself /
upon the sheet wherein she impressed
her soul.
az give you all" she wrote-"my |
past, my present, my future. To me, |
in all the lexicon of language, see but |
two words-husband and wifei They |
are emblazoned in letters Of gold within |
the shrine where my soul kneels and |
worships. Frederic, love you"
Her pen dropped from her hand
had she indeed written the words, or
was it her heart which had cried them
aloud in the stillaess? A hundred
mocking demons took up the cry and
echoed it. She heard 1t everywhere
around about her. She saw it blazoned
in the air. She sank trembling on her
knees, and buried her face in her
shaking hands.
She and her secret we're face to face
at last. She had sold her birthright for
mess of pottage.
In the evening, true to her promise,
Elsa received the letter, but unfinished.
"Add to II what you will, " wrote Ger
trude. az could not close it fittingly."
But Elsa sent the copy with no added
words.
Another fortnight, and the regim ent
had arrived A month passed, but
Gertrude and Frederic Houghton had
not met. Once he had called with Elsa,
but she had not been at home.
By i singular coincidence it was at
another of Madam Froissart's charm
ing and frequent receptions that fate
threw them together. For a moment
her hand rested in his, and his keen
eyes searched her face. Then Elsa
came to claim him for a dance, and
they separated.
Midnight had sounded, when some
one asked Gurtrude for song. Many
joined in the plea. Giving somewhat
reluctant consent, she took her seat at
the piano in the little MUSHROOM, the
portiere dividing that from drawing
room drawn aside.
She hesitated moment, then struck
the chords, and soon the rich, sweet
voice filled the space. at Was
Dream" was the song she had chosen,
and the pathos Of voice and words
brought quick tears to many eyes.
AS the last echo died away, amid a
murmur of applause and admiration,
man bent close beside her.
"Come into the conservatory NOM
ent," he said. II wish to speak with
YOU"
She let him place her hand within
his own and lead her where he would.
Among the plants and flowers he turn
ed TO her.
Il must speak" he said. "You shall
know how | have loved you! In
another month, to tell you would be a
SIM"
SIS not your betrothal then, as sacred
as your marriage" she questioned.
NO" he answered; 'for sometimes,
Gertrude. | feel it would be greater sin
to redeem than break my pledge. Listen
to mel You know the old love | bore
you, though | never put it into words.
| Oh, heart of icel had you not one
throb for tine anguish endured Colby
You sent me from you to another. She
welcomed me with smile-you had
dismissed me with a frown. She warm
| ed me in the sunlight chilled me
III the shadow. For little time,
sought diversion and forgetfulness. In
the latter ! failed sadly. With glad
ness | hailed the outbreak which
| brought my regiment into service.
Elsa's regret at my leaving her softened
and touched me- begged her to write
me. Through her, thought, should
hear news of you but, instead, her
letters gave me a wondering glimpse
into nature whose depths had never
suspected. How rich, how full, how
true they were, | cannot paint TO you.
| | read and re-read them. My heart
| cried out for more and more, until
knew that its longing and its need weI g
satisfied at last. How rich and ex-
haustless must be the mine which
stored such Jewels With mans avar-
icious greed | longed for its possession.
! Is it only the fulff'llment of the wish
which makes me fancy its treasure al
ready is exhausted? II was Elsa's let
ters, not Elsa, that / loved. She gives
me food, but my heart still il hungry
Gertrude, help me Tell me the
right y
They were alone; the sweet scent of
the flowers filled the air; murmur
| from little mimic stream rustled past
them. Through the dim light, she saw
the white impassioned pleading of his
face. She heard his quick, agitated
breathing. Her own heart beat SO
| loudly and unconsciously she pressed
| her hand upon it. Her secret seemed
to enwrap her in a tangible cloud. She
loved, and here before her stood her
king-the magic prince had come at
last. Fer this only she had given up
the birthright of her soul. One word.
one little word, and she might reclaim
it; one word, one little word, and her
heart and his would know hunger
nevermore. The temptation stifled
her. She gasped for breath. Then
the mist cleared-she saw clearly.
" Let us return to Elsa, Mr.. Hough-
ton. she said, calmly. "She will
wonder at our absence; and as foT what
we have been speaking of, remember
the words of my song, 1t is dream.
You have your letters-they are the
realities. One cannot always live in
dreamland"
4" For the second time" he answered,
you send me from you ?"
" For the second time-and the last. ="
"Oh, God that soul so beautiful
in outward form should wear case of
| ice
Thus, man-like, aud in mans blind
| ppsS ba iuJoad her
He went forth, in his weakness, to
redeem his pledge She, i'll her strength,
took up her double burden, but that
she bore it, gave to the world no sign.
Girls as Wood Engrayers.
A contemporary as ked wood en-
graver why he did not employ girls.
His reply was? 81 have employed
women very often, and wish | could
feel more encouraged. But the truth
is that when young man comes TO
me and begins his work he feels that it
is his hfe's business. He is to cut his
fortune out of the little blocks before
him. Wife, family, home, happiness
L