Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-18
When next she saw him he was re-

linen many weeks passed I'LL II was
the dead OF winter, and she knew that
he avoided her. On Sunday, after
service, he found her, by chance as it
seemed, right ia his path.
THE Lord be with you, Betty" he
said. and then passed on.
"Reynoldl Reynold!' she called,
gently.
"You spoke, Bsttyf'
my father is i'll. and desires above
all things to see you. Will you come
to-night2 You will find him alone2'
eff It's to see him, SO be it. Betty"
When on that evening be had spent
an hour with Father Lee, the old man
said: "Reynold, the maid hath a
sweet voice, and on the Lords Day
night she reads the scripture to me.
Stay you aud hear her"
Then Captain Marvin, much as he
wished to 20. wished more to stay,
and while thus struggling with him
self in unaccustomed hesitancy, the
father called the girl. She came, just
courtesying with indifference that
panied Ryenold, Then when her faith
er asked her to read she took the
great Bible in her lap. bent her fair
head over its pages, and began in soft,
but clearest, tones to read the tale of
Ruth. As she read on Captain Marvin
forgot himself and all save this sacred
tale so sweetly and effectively repeat
ed by the gentle maid. She paused
not till she had finished. Their she
rose, babe them good night, and was
about to go.
"Stay, Betty" he said, "Let me
thank you. Never was sweeter &c
nance written, but never before knew
I that till now"
"'Tis indeed a beautiful tale," she
said, 'but | almost wonder that you
like it. There are others in the Word
more to your liking"
"What others2"
Joshua, for instance, the mighty
warrior"
AYE, but I want strong man tc
read that"
Who but yourself should read it
then9"
"Would you like me TO do se2'
Greatly"
So he took up the Bible and reat
with strong, resonant voice, of Josh
ua's mighty deeds.
Il thank you Reynold. Never befor,
realized l the half OF Joshua's valor
| think he must have been somewha
like unto you, Reynold; and now
good night"
"Stay, Betty, the hour is early yet.
NAY, l think It's well bid vol
good night"
She had opened the door, behint
which were abrupt oaken stairs tina
led almost perpendicularly to he
little chamber under the rafters, and
with one foot on the lower step, sh;
turned her head, looking over he
shoulder to say good night.
mo, but you mus not go" said he
and he arose and went to detaln her
Selling her by the hand, Then TO
al instant the maid struggled, ant
somehow, by chance it seemed, in thu
duration of that struggle the mais
became embraced by his strong arm
so that he perceived the exceedin,
suppleness of her slight figure; and a
her fair head for the time of on
breath rested upon his broad breast
and he caught the glance, half mod
est, half amused, from her unlifte'
eyes, then the strength he gleried in
seemed to depart from him, and tn
maid, slipping gracefully, quietly
from his OBTAINING grasp, fed up tn
stairway.
Then the strong man stood there
moment like one bewildered, and thel
he heard the father laughing heart
lily.
Captain, said the old man, "witl
all your strength the girl seems strong
er than you"
Truly, she did give me the slip
Ny head is in whirl, and my hear
doth beat. What strange power hiatt
the maid3 Bid her come back, neigh
bar Lse."
Not tonight, captain. The girl,
surmise, is better alone She hat
said nay, I think, tc-nig mt 10 youn
Matthew, and it paine her to see hi
grief"
"Yet Matthew is favored" said tn
captain.
mot for her."
81 wonder if Matthew ever felt he
soft touch, and her head resting TO
an instant on his breast, though b.
accident2 If so. did it unman hir
and take his strength away2 | will
not wait here any longer, neighbo
Lee. l am strangely at unrest.
wonder if the fever is creeping in M
veins. l burn so holly. l will go in
to the cold air"
With mighty strides the strong
limbed captain went down the high
way, for he was beset with strange
peculiar excitement which he ha
never before known.
| Hath the maid the power of sorcer,
that she bewitches me2"
"She doth unman me, and l hav
no strength of mind or body unde
her glance and voice. Yet strange i
is It's pleasurable. Truly it is. Ii
not unto myself. IT'S pleasurable.
know not the mystery of it. An,
when she struggled to free herself
and | did perceive her soft touch
with so much of strength withal,
tingled, truly 1 did, to my finger tips
nor was it painful; ana when ia tn
struggle her head did rest here On m,
chest for an instant / knew not my
self at all, but l was unknown an'
plant as a vine, Yet l did like il
Truly did, though so slight thin,
as she could have grasped her in m,
big fist, thus, and crushed-no, hat
1 her in this hand, 1 trow, had sh
wished it, my fingers would hav
been powerless.
Then the strong man unused ant
was perplexed with fascinating per
plexity. Then when the bedtim,
came, he read his Bible, read the stor,
OF Ruth again, and then repeated hi
evening prayer.
Suddenly he arose from his knees
his face aglow with excitement. THE
Lord hath instructed mel The Lore
hath instructed mel" he said, II
shall be done tomorrow" And with
that determination he slept peaceful
| ly.
Next morning, an hour after sun
rise, while Betty Lee sat at her loom
weaving busily, she heard some one
calling: Betty Betty Leel"
There at the gate, in full uniform
with cockadsd hat and sword IN his
belt, and astride his horse, high-spirit
ed as himself, she saw the valiant
Captain Marvin.
Come here, Betty. l have a com
munication to make, said he.
She obeyed him now, going close