Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-05-09
"oh, don't be sillyl If you think

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room in half an hour, if you'll say
good night civilly," at the same time
drawing his fiance bshind tall screen
for silent embrace, which sent her
away blushing.
A bright fire burned in Constance
Gwyn's bedroom. She put on her
dressing gown, and dismissed her
maid, as the latter had received
Gelert from Archie Gordon's hands
and brought him to his mistress. The
dog was only seeking company, and
not i'll. He looked the picture OF
contentment as he lay at Constance's
feet, and she, feeling wakeful, sat
quietly reading-though between the
page and her eyes came up Arches
face.
The house had long been still,
when the clock in the corridor struck
one. Gelert at the moment raised his
huge head and listened attentively.
Constance closed her book, and won
dered why the dog still kept his intent
lcok; it made her slightly nervous,
and she began to listen too. Ger
tainly there was sound as If win
dow in the library, just beneath her
own room, was being opened. The
wind and rain made 70 wild a sound
that she would have banished the
thought of anything but these had 1t
not been that Gelert half rose to his
feet with loud growl.
'Be quiet Gelert!" she whispered;
for she feared he would bark, and SO
reveal to Miss Dorothy his forbidden
presence.
Gelert's only answer was to look
earnestly at his mistress, prick his
ears again and, walk slowly to the
door.
Constance went into the corridor TO
listen. The only person rear her was
nervous Miss Dorothy, whom she
dreaded to rouse. Taking firm hold
of Geiert's collar, she softly reached
the top of the grand staircase, and a
CLEAN of moonlight, which burst
through the stormy clouds, litup with
a weird light the portraits that lined
the wall, and then as suddenly faded.
In the darkness Gelert drew his mis-
tress TO the staircase, showing increas-
ed anxiety to understand that there
was cause for his excitement. Con
stance leaned over the banister. The
door of the library was partly open
and faint light was in the room. In
a moment thought of the papers Sir
Andrew had just brought from Amerl-
ca flashed on Constance; she remem-
bered that they were of importance to
Archie, and that some one else would
be glad to get them from him.
Whispering a few words to quiet
the dog, she crept softly down the
broad stone staircase, and paused
near the door. Through the crack
she saw that two men stood at the far
end near Sir Andrews cabinet, and 1t
was open. A strange courage came to
the girl. She knew that if she could
cross to the corner by the opposite
window there was a bell there which
communicated with the wing where
Sir Andrew slept and which would
also arouse the servants. In another
moment she had stopped and clasped
one arm around the dogs neck, and
he seemed to know her wish, for he
crawled stealthily beside her into the
room. They had nearly crossed 1t
when Gelert drew painting breath,
which startlet one of the men. lie
quickly turned and aimed pistol at
Constance. In an instant she loosed
Gelert and sprang at the bell-heard
the peal ring out, pistol-shot fired,
and dogs furious worrying-then
fell unconscious on the floor.
'How quiet you all are!' and then
Constance thought she had not said
it-such a faint voice it sounded.
And what bed was this with great
green curtains2 Surely Miss Doro-
thy's2 And the room was dim, so
when Miss Dorsthy crept to the side
of the bed Constance could not sec
that her face was wet with thankful
tears.
my love, you are in my room be
caase | am nursing you.
Have | been lll2n said the weak
voice again.
Eyes, dear, but don't talk" And
Miss Dorothy slipped away to come
back with the old doctor and Sir An
drew. The PATIENTS eyes wandered
towards the door. Sir Andrew
whispered few words TO the doctor.
"Oh, there's somebody else, is
therel Well, he may come Just for
a minute"
The Somebody" had been outside
waiting.
My darling, he whispered, hold
ing the weak little hand.
Constance looked up in his face,
trying to remember something.
Did we quarrel about-chess or
something's"
"Oh. that's all right" answered
Archie, eagerly. "You checkmated
me"
well, but who was shoti"
That will DO now, my dear" said
the good doctor, hastily motioning all
but Miss Dorothy away. eff you are
a good girl aud go to sleep, you shall
talk to them all by and by"
In the library Sir Andrew told the
following to his son:
When was twenty eight years of
age was still dependent on my uacle,
who, though he could not keep the
title from me, had the power of allie
mating the property. He wished me
to marry his daughter, but while stay
ing in Paris, l fell in love with
beautiful young American girl who
was studying at a school there. l
knew her twin brother more for her
sake than his own, and he witnessed
my private marriage with her. With
in year my uncle died, and | was
about to travel TO America with my
wife, and acknowledge her publicly
there, when you were born, and your
dear mother lived but an hour. Her
brother, Jonathan Lee, saw me in
my deep afnlction, and urged upon me
that he could acquaint all American
friends and save me sorrowful jour
ney. A year ago learned that you
were entitled to the half share of some
property which had been left
to Jonathan Lee and his sister, or,
i'll event of their death to you. | went
to America, obtained the necessary
papers, and made good your title to
the share in the property, which Lee
had been appropriating. He is in
England, and may have iustigated
the attempt at robbery by bribing that
scoundrel, the butler; but as the latter
was shot when Gelsrt sprang on the
man who aimed his pistol at Con-