Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-07-25


and held up both hands, exclaiming
Mark Spencer
"Mr. Beaumont, returned the other
with nod.
why are you here" cried Beau
mont
'tWhat right have you to ask2''
calmly retorted the young man.
His rival colored.
"Sir, you are impudent." said he,
angrily.
II deny the charge Mr.. Beaumont,
and you have no cause to speak
! thus"
Again l ask you why you arc
here27
Again 1 tell you that it does not
concern you, and you have no right
10 ask"
Then, Sir, will you please to leave
this place, as it is here that am to
meet certain personp
And, with a naughty look, the os-
! tentatious fellow consulted his neavy
gold watch.
Minerva should have been here
ere this" he muttered, as if to him.
self, but with a furtive glance al
Mark Spencer, to see what effect his
words produced Oh him.
Mark was surprised, but, pretend
ing that he did not hear the words,
he SAID:
mo, sir; l will not leave this
place; for | too, am waiting for
friend"
You mean Miss LAMBERT
II DO"
"Then, sir, you are a liar!' cried
Leroy, fercely. ''She did not ask you
to meet her here
II beg your pardon, but"
Cease. hold your lying tongueI
Numbered the handsome man, and the
words were accompanied by hor-
rible oath. ''Audacious scoundrel
know you not that Minerva Lambert
is soon to become my wife2 She cares
naught for you. Your Jealousy
prompted you to come here and wit
ness our meeting, eh?"
IT'S false!" replied Mark, quietly.
81 knew not that such u meeting was
in contemplation. But, sir, | have nc
desire to handy words with you; there
fore, | wish you good evening"
He bowed, and was about to with
draw from the spot, when Leroy, with
another fierce and bitter oath, produc
ed pistol and pointed it at him.
Mark was no coward. He folded
his arms and looked camly into the
dark muzzle Of the weapon.
Shoot" said he; shoot, Leroy
Beaumont. | am unarmed."
Peace, men" cried a silyery
voice.
They looked simultaneously, and
beheld Minerva Lambert, stand
ing there is the moonlight, her
tall, queenly form clad in spotless
white.
Mark lifted his hat politely, while
his rival stood stock-still, staring al
her.
Minerva stepped proudly forward,
"Mr. Beaumont" said she, con.
fronting that gentleman; II have wit
messed your proceedings since you
came here, and heard the converse
ZION carried on between you and Mr..
Spencer. Sir, you have proved your
self villain and a coward. You
cursed Mr. Spencer without cause.
You were going to shoot him even
after he told you he was unarmed.
And, besides, you told him that | was
your promised wife, which you know
IS false.
"You asked me this day for my
heart and hand as also did Mr.
Spencer. l gave neither of you an
answer, Because | wish to carry out
| l,ttIn ,,ln,, | lr,,nyU nthinpr Of
past life, sir, nor whether you at pres
ent had the reputation of being good
or bad | could not think of joining
my life To that of one who, compare
lively speaking, is unknown to se.
Il planned this meeting with the
hope that it might give me an insight
into your true character, and | hoped
not in vain. | desired TO see your
ac tons on confronting your rival
/ here. | have seen. | am saticfed.
! Go. sir! never speak to me again, noi
| allow your footsteps to wander toward
my home, which you have so often
visited as wolf in sleeps clothing"
| Pale and trembling as Leroy Beau
mont listened to this speech, covering
under the accusing gaze of those flash
/ ing eyes like a criminal receiving his
! sentence.
/ When she had finished he stood
erect, and for moment bitter
retort seemed to tremble on his lips.
1t remained unspoken. He said not
a word, but turned abruptly on his
heel, with n contemptuouS toss of his
head, and and walked proudly away.
When he was lost to view in the
darkness, Minerva turned to Mark
who had been a silent saectator of
! the little drama that had just peen
performed, and said, in a trembling
voice:
Mr.. Spencer, l hope you will for
give my making tool of you for the
execution of my stratagem, ana sub
jecting you to the insults of that
man.
"As to that, Miss Lambert" he re-
piled, with respectful bow, there
is nothing to forgive"
"Thank you, sir. But | cannot
stay longer. My sole purpose for re-
questing you to meet me here is &C
complishcd. Good evening, sir"
Stay, Miss Lambert Shall / call
| 10 morrow ana receive your answer,
or hear it now2"
Not now. Tomorrow, if YOU
wish; you may see me at home"
And on the following day Mark
Spencer, with throbbing heart, sat be-
side his love.
When she felt his strong arm steal
ing around her trembling form-when
she felt his lips pressed to hers in
q sweet betrothal kiss, and heard the
low murmured words of epdear-
ment, Minerva Lambert felt sweet
feeling of rest coming over her, and
she laid her head on his breast,
wondering how she ever could have
/ thought tEat she loved Leroy Beau
mont more than she did this noble
I hearted man.
| How He Caught the Fish.
Carpet Trade ana Review