Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-06-01

Several feet from her, leaning IN care
less grace upon the mantel. with his eyes
fixed upon her face, was figure strange
yet familiar.
For u moment she did not recognize
him. Six years of foreign travel had
left their impress. He was tall, bronzed
and BEARDED man to be noticed and
distinguished, let his surroundings be
what they would. A flush Of pleasure
lighted her eyes. The next moment he
came forward to greet her
ii knew that you were to be here,
he said, bowling low over her hand Il
am TO have you coniided to my care dur
ing dinner. Win you trust yourself
me?'
Her heart beat madly; but he stood
calm and mpassive as stone. Ii forced
her to stiile the rush of feeling which
nearly overwhelmed her. All these
years she had knowu emptiness. H.
this instant she knew why it had been
so-knew her own heart at last,
Il am delighted to meet you again,
Lady Undcrmount," he continued.
Need l add that The years have left no
touch, save of additions already unneed-
ed?'
HIS manner was the manner of
thorough man of the world, perfect of
its kind; but it chilled and hurt her
The fire could not be dead she once had
kindled-she would fan its ashes into
the flame; and all through the splendid
ceremonious meal, to which ut this juno
ture they were hidden, the lovely violet
| eyes Were uplifted to Hubert Darylrs
face with a new, luminous light in their
| wonderful depths. and the sweet voice
sank to soft, almost loving whisper.
| Nor had she reason later to complain at
| his GOODNESS when, with murmured
| goodnight, and promise to call on the
morrow, he handed hai into her car
rage, and stood headed in the moon
! light-stood there motionless after il had
passed from sight.
Fam fool or Il madman?' he NUT
tered then to himself "Can that wo-
mans beauty still move mep Does
she fancy once again to bring me cap
tive to her feet? Oh, to make her proud
heart feel and suffer! what penance
would l not endurep'
Two months had passed, and in her
dainty boudoir Isabel sat with one guest
"a guest who had been very constant
during these latter weeks. He was seat
ed now on n low fauteuil at her feet She
leaned above him, with every tone of
the flexible voice in itself caress.
.'Yes, l have been lonely all these
years, she half whispered. Hubert, 1
was very cruel to you once, but learn
ed afterwards that was far more so to
myself"
All! did he know-did he dream what
it cost her pride to utter those wordsp
Only the knowledge that his hand never
would break down the barrier hers had
raised with the added knowledge that
beneath it lay her buried heart, gave her
strength and courage.
II should not tell you this, perhaps"
she continued; ''but it may help me to
win the forgiveness you once denied
me"
The violet eyes We're dim and shadow
ed by mist of tears, which yet fell not
She laid her hand upon his arm. He
felt it tremble. Was this woman so con-
summate an actress that she must ever
demand new fields for victory?
You mean that you have learned to
love meP" he said almost coldly.
There was silence for Il full minute;
then she spoke.
Il mean that have always loved YOU"
! she answered.
The mans face grew deathly pale.
He trembled an instant convulSively,
! then he laughed aoud-a harsh dis
cordant laugh and rose to his feet.
ave have played the farce out to the
end now, your ladyShip.n he said. II
have tried to make my skill in fencing
! equal TO yours. | must thank you for
| the charming assistance YOU have lent
me. The audience has been small, but
! appreciatiye You will now permit me
to bid you good morning. On Saturday
| return to the East"
! He bowed and turned to the door
She sprang up to dciain him, then stood
with one band grasping the chair for
support, the other held tightly over her
| heart
| This, then, was his revenge this her
| punishment Oh, merciful Heaven! had
| she deserved it? Her foil had slipped
and hurt him-his had buried itself in
her heart.
| Al the door he turned, as though COM
/ Dtllttl a3dll~J HIS VIII, anu CdlD III ubDll
her face the expression of mute agony.
/ One stride brought him to her side again.
With almost brutal force he seized hold
| of her arm.
care you woman or dcvil?'' he said,
| 1tween his teeth. "L0okl | cane 20
lain my triumph; but ] cast il back at
our feet! love you-I shall love YOU
my death. Gloat over the knowledge
it is your daily food. II is to you,
grce still-to me, a tragedy"
'Hubertr'-She whispered but the
ne word, but it stilled his passion like
aagic-''oh, my loye--my love! / am
o weary! Willyou not give me rest?'
ne said.
Over his face there crcpt marvel
rs softness; his grasp upon her arm
| elaxed. The next moment how it
appened, neither linew-she was sob
ing in his arms.
Who had won the vctoryp Was it not
both defeat? Yet for what victory,
toweyer glorious, would either have ex-