Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-08-28
SAVED BY THE TELEGRAPH
CT Hudreth, in N. Y. World.

interest her exceedingly.
She was in the first flush of lovely
womanhood, with a full, graceful
!igure, warm, light brown hair and
soft hazel eyes glowing with excite
ment and interest. She appeared to
have varying success in her employ
ment, for at times she would smile and
clap her hands joyfHlly, and again
purse up her red lips In pout and
contract her delicate brows with q
frown.
An appreclative observer would
never have troubled himself TO inx
quire what sho was doing; he would
have been amply satisfied with the
pretty picture she made, in the pale
silk robe with its profusIon of ribbo: S,
with her bright mead bowed over Lne
table. The young man, who at that
moment appeared at the open door,
certainly seemed to take that view of
TITLE paused and looked at her with
eyes whose expression could not be
mistaken. They said Love" as plain
ly as if he had cried the word in her
ear.
Presently she raised her head and,
detecting him, arose with a blush,
and extended her hand 20 him she
came toward him.
you have discovered my secret,
Mr. Fielding" she said, laughing. Il
meant TO surprise you with the extent
of my knowledge"
''And what were you doIng2" he
asked, releasing her hand with evident
reluctance.
Learning biography" she replied.
"You know that on the days when
papa does not 90 down to the bank he
uses this instrument, which connects
with the office, to Telegraph business
messages to Mr. Reynaud, his partner.
His sight is failing, and / mean to Of
fer my services as operator as soon as
! am capable.
"a good operator should take a
message simply by the sound of the
instrument, responded Mr.. Fielding,
looking at her with gaze before
which her own fell in confusion.
'Iet US sec how far you have advanc
ed"
She seated herself by the table with
pencil and paper and gaylY prepared
To take tho mock message as he tapped
it out upon THE key.
"Click click click -click--click!"
Augusta, she read with an air of
surprise; why, that is my name"
Listen, he replied gravely, ~
have not finished"
Click click click -cliclz-click
click -clickl' went the instrument.
Augusta darling -I-lovo-you."
she read, in low voice and with
burning cheeks.
''Why, Mr.. Fielding | did not exe
pect"
That would choose so clumsy
means of declaring my love as a telc,
graph key he interrupted, taking her
even need that; Tor you must have
seen in my every word and look these
past six months that | love you with
my whole heart. Tell me, have |
hoped in vain; Augusta, do you love
meg"
She averted her face from him for
moment and made one last struggle
for composurc, then yielded herself to
him wholly and was folded in his
arms
AS they stood so, bewldered with
their sudden happiness, step re-
sounded along the hall and a tail,
dark figure appeared in the doorway.
|; was that Of n man OF forty years,
powerfully built. with a dead black
beard and hair, which gave his color
less features hue of unnatural white
ness. The face was one TO inspire
dread rather than respect, distrust
rather than frleudship-a hard, stern
face whose very smile was cruel, yet
whose cold impassibllity never chang
ed 1t was only in his large, velvet-
black eyes that the passions of the
mans nature betrayed themselves.
He paused at the door and looked
from ono to the other of the flushed
and embarrassed faces with a swift,
Inquiring glance.
Mr.. Reynaud |" exclaimed both of
the lovers together.
Himself, returned the new conner,
in deep, quiet voice. II was looking
for your father, Miss Augusta, and
expected to find him here. | hops |
have not intruded at an improper mo-
meRt."
There was something in his tone
something too subtle for description,
that struck upon Fielding's ear like
an indetiuable menace. Though far
from coward, the young man was
seized with an almost superstitious
fear of this person, whom he had
hitherto merely diSliked. With an
involuntary desire to conCiliate him,
he turned and said, frankly:
AS an intimate friend of the fami-
ly, MIR. Reynaud, | may as we'll i'm
part to YOU what will soon be known
to every one. Miss Ashley has accept
ed me as her future husband"
Reynaud remained silent and mos
tionless for moment; but Fielding
saw his hands ellnch themselves until
the nails were buried in the palms,
while his eyes glowed like two Goals
of living fire.
"Acceptedw he repeated, after
while, in a low, smothered voice.
She loves you9 Why, of course"
he added, with a laugh. 1.-The most
natural thing in the world. l con-
graduate you, my young friend"
He offered his hand which the other
took, but dropped Immediately with
an irrepressible shudder. 1t was as
cold and clammy as that of corpse.
With that Reynaud excused himself
and departed. Fielding who watched
him as he went, saw him stagger as
he walked, like a man dazsd by a
heavy blow.
When he had gone, the two lovers
remained silent and disquieted AS if
some unforeseen disaster had sudden
ly broken in upon their new-tound
happiness.
"What enmity has that man against
mef asked Fielding, after awhile.
when told him we were engaged,
could have sworn there was murder
in his heart"
Il can guess" answ cred the young
lady, turning pale, though am al
most afraid TO confess it. He is your
rival"
my rival y echoed the young
man. He has proposed to you,
then T.
Yes" she replied with a shudder,
che asked NC 10 be his wife, and, oh,
Heaven! l shall never forget the scene
that followed" She covered her face
with her hands and Shrank nearer to
the side of her lover. when l re-
fused him." she continued, she did
not 20 10 - &C xx,,~,, Ia hax-a