Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-03-16
tROSALIE'S SECRET.
CHAPTER /.

TAOe.
Matters went smoothly enough be-
tween us till day when q girl and
her mother took up their abode at the
island Espiritu. When the days work
WAS over, and everybody supposed me
asleep at my hut, / swan across to
the island whence | returned about an
hour after midnight without my alb
sence being at all SURPASSED.
Some days had elapsed since my
first nocturnal visit to Espiritu Santo,
when, one morning as | was going to
the fishery just before daybreak, l
met one of those old crones who
seemed able to charm the sharks by
their spells.
"How fares il, my sOn?'
"Good morning, mother" | replied.
'Listen TO me; | have to speak to
you of that which nearly concerns
you"
"Nearly concerns mer | repeated
IN surprise.
Eyes. Do you deny that your heart
il in the island OF Espiritu Santo, or
that you cross the strait every night to
see and converse with her you lover"
"How do you know that?'
mo matter, know it well. Robert
Wilberforce. this voyage is fraught
with two-fold peril. The foes whom
my charms can hold harm less during
the day only, liz in wait for you each
night beneath the waves; on the shore,
foes more dangerous still over whom
my arts are powerless, dog your steps.
come to offer you my aid to combat
these double dangers.
The old Indians eyes sparkled with
fiendish fury, as she exclaimed:
And because you are without faith
you deem me without power? Be it
30; there are those who believe in the
influence you but scott at"
AS she spoke she drew from her
pocket little case of printed cloth, and
producing, amid pearls Of inferior val
ne, one OF large and brilliant water, she
asked:
"Know you aught of this p
1t was one ! had given to Rlsalie :,
for such was the girls name.
Glow came you by it ?" cried.
Glow came | by it? Why twas
given me by damsel, the fairest that
ever set foot on these shores; damscl
who would be the glory of n young
man, and wha came to crave for pro-
tection-that protection you hold SO
cheap-for one she fondly loves"
ellis name?" | exclaimed.
What matterfit, "jeeringly returned
the hag, "since his name is not the one
you bear2"
turned my back to her, coolly saw
ing "You are lying old dotard," and
walked on to the fishery.
The old woman looked after me with
tiendish smile of triumph.
The day was the longest | have ever
known. Suspicion gnawed at my heart
with torturing perseverance. At last
night arrived.
Il will go ut once to see heri" | cried.
"What il the matter, Robert2" said
Eosaline, earnestly, rs she entered the
cottage, pale and agitated.
"What is the matterl" | said, fierce
ly. "Ast yourself that question!
ASK myself"
eyes"
al know nothing of what occurs. Tell
me, quickly, what is it?"
walked to the window to conceal
nv rising anger.
Resale followed, and put her arms
gently around my neck.
Robert you must not be angry with
me. Remember, next month we are
TO be" And she hid her blushing
face ON my shoulder.
| held her before me, looking sternly
into her beautiful eyes.
=, - I Il
"Don't, Robert; you hurt my arms"
she said, endeavoring to release her
self.
"Hal she evades me-" | thought.
Who is he?" | repeated.
"Who is he? do not know what
you mean. Release mel"
My only answer was laugh of
contempt.
Co.. l said, you have deceived
mer'
Deceived you, oh Robert"
odd you not go to that old witch,
Frances, yesterday
Eyes"
What did you Hsk of herr"
Protection from danger"
"For whom?'
Resale ana not answer.
You do not answer. The witch
told me it was for man whom she
said you dearly loved"
''She told the truth"
"His nsme?"
Resale was silent
Ellis name?" repeated
cat present cannot tell you"
'False-hearted girl, you have taken
your choice. FAREWELL"
Robert! Robert! you do not mean-'
II ask for the last time-his name2"
81 have promised !. would not -"
CAV, ay, use subterfugel You have
broken my heart, Rosslie, and l will
go away and hide myself in rome silent
place and think upon what might have
beenl ACKNOWLEDGMENT
"Robert-Robert!' With cry she
fell fainting upon the floor.
looked ut her for a moment, and
thea FASTENED away Suddenly my
thoughts took different turn. "Who
is this man who dsres to blunt my
happiness p 1 exclaimed, Ha, hal
have it; he can not come to the island
without my discovering him. We shall
meet; we shall meet"
CHAPTER II.
For some days waited in vain. On
the third night, as usual, crossed the
strait on my return home. The sky
was not so cloudy but that l could dis
tlHguish among the waves something
which from its manner of swimming,
1 could make out to be man.
Not wishing 10 be seen, / swan
under water in his direction. When,
according to my calculation, we must
have crossed each other, he above and
/ below the surface, ! rose above the
water.
Some minutes elapsed ere / again
beheld the swimmers head. He Glove
the waves with such rspidity that I
could hardly keep psce with him. I
redoubled my efforts, and soon gained
enough on Hmm so IS to oblige me to
strike out less freely. Shortly saw
him land upon rock and ascend it;
and, as a fash of lightning played upon