Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-11-19

thing but mean spirited coward i
would 60 drown myself"
And uttering an incoherent impre-
cation, he rushed out of the room,
leaving me in the fear that he had lost
his senses.
| was destined TO receive a second
surprise the same evening. Lois was
in the habit of waiting for me in the
garden, but tonight she was nowhere
to be seen. | went through the
grounds, looking for her in our &C.
customed haunts, until reached z
rustic pavilion at the further side.
Parting the leaves before the door, |
peered cautiously within. She was
there, but her attitude startled me.
She was sitting with her head resting
upon the table before her, her face
buried in her handkerchief, ssbbing
conyulslvely.
She arose hastily as l entered and
looked at me confusedly.
ut is youl" she said, in a tone al,
most of alarm.
Whom did you expects" | respond.
ed, in establishment; ''and why are
/ } on Weeplngf
She sank down again aud put her
hand 10 her side, as it to still the throb-
hing of her heart.
YES L.expected you," she murmur-
ed; Il don't know what is the matter
with me. am nervous and i'll.
But ! was not sati fed an indefn-
able uneasiness disturbed me. passed
my arm around her and, putting aside
the fallen trcsses of her hair, looked
at her earnestly and SAID:
you are suffering, darling; will
you not tell me what it ISL"
Netting, nothing" she replied,
averting her face 81 am only UNI
happy, that is all. "
"Saall l leave you2" | asked, hurt
at her manner. 81 will come another
time"
mo, no." she cried historically,
clasping me tightly do not leave me-
| dare not stay alone. | feel as if /
were being drawn away from you by
a power over which | have no contol,
as if | we're under an evil spell"
Every body seems unhappy to.
day." replied. Il left poor Clareuce
in desperate mood. | would have
brought him with me, but he was
nowhere to be found
She started to her feet and pushed
me from her, with shudder.
"Do not bring him here again, y
she exclaimed, passionately. "Do not
speak his name to me again"
"What has the poor fellow been do
ing nowl' l asked in surprise. "He
has not been here lately"
you do not know" she gasped, as
if making violent effort. 'He comes
when you are not here. He is a traitor
and your enemy. Avoid him drive
him away AS you value your peace
of mind and mine, protect me from
him."
Before / could reply she lifted her
skirts and fled across the lawn, leaving
me stunned and amazed with what |
had heard.
There was a dreadful significance in
her incoherent words. Was my friend
indeed untrue to me2 Had he secretly
endeavored to undermine me ia the
affections of my betrothed? Was that
the secret of his strange conduct of
late2 My soul revolted at the idea /
could not believe that the friend to
whom l had been so loyal and true,
would seek to do me so terrible an in
jury. There must be some mistake,
ssme misrepresentation. Iwould have
an explanation with Clarence and give
him an opportunity of exculpating
himself.
! returned to my dwelling and went
to his room, bat he was not there. |
sat down to wait for him; but as the
moments went by g nameless anxiety,
almost terror, crept upon me, until at
the end of an hour l could bear it no
longer.
/ arose, resolving to 90 back to Lois
and to postpone my interview with
Clarence until morning.
Passing up the main avenue of the
grounds surrounding her home /
caught the gllmmer of her white dress
IN the adjacent shrubbery. aud turned
aside to meet her. AS | drew near /
discovered that she was not alone; an.
other step and / recognized her CONS
panlon II was Clarence Bell.
AAob cblodAlOtl iubAC NOiAoEI,
the next, a cold chill OF terrible doubt
-douot OF both of them. l instructive.
iy concealed myself behind a hedge,
and waited for them to approach.
As they came l saw-and l seemed
to be in the midst of some nightmare
as | saw it - that his arm was abou:
her waist and her hand was lying in
his.
I rubbed my eyes aud looked again.
Yes, it was indeed 50. l was deceived
by my friend and betrayed by my be,
trothgd wife.
l caught at the slender twigs Of the
hazels to support myself, for the sky
seemed to be reeling above me and the
earth to be sinking beneath my feet.
Before that moment | did not know
that man could endure such suffers
ing and still live.
( Presently the CONFUSION passed and
there was nothing left in my heart
but 3 consuming hatred.
watched them as they came TO,
wards me with eyes starting from my
I baoI ] Io,rl H. fc,- 30, l.,- f-,.,.,r-