Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-01

''Then let me have an opportunity
to win your love. I cant give you
up. The thought of you mas entered
so entirely into my life that I cannot
60 away without a little hope You
do not hate me, little one3"
''No, no" she said in distress; ''but
L"
"Never mind; don't try TO explain
yourself or your feelings. L t every
thing be just as it always has; Re
member that l love you, and let me
come and see you otter" Pressing
two fervent kisses on her hands he
shot out of the door and was off before
HaZsl had time to turn around.
she gathered up her things and
went straight to her room. Then SIZE
threw herself into large wicker char
and began rocking herself violenely
and screaming with laughter. This
was succeeded by fits of cryigg, and
again more laughter and tears, until,
exhausted, she dropped asleep in the
chair, with her head resting Oh the
broad arm.
When awakened late in the day by
her cramped position and raging
headache, she was too miserable to
think TO offer any resistance when
her sister insisted On putting her 10
bed. 1t was SO unusual for her to be
i'll.
In the days that followed Hazel
was alternally merry aGd sad, very
talktive or absolutely silent for hours
together. She ate little and seemed
restless and nervous in the house;
would start whenever the doorbell
rang, and if it happened to be Col.
Baker she always tried to escape to
her room, and was invariably 'enga-
ed" or mot at home"
Hazel was coming up the street one
day from the postoffice. There had
been a storm of sleet and snow the
day before and the walks we're
treacherously slippery. She was look
ing over her letters, when suddenly,
right on crossing, her foot slipped.
There was horse coming around the
corner. She never knew Just what
happened; she struck something and
felt herself being lifted while a we'll
known voice said "My God! have
killed herl Oh, nay darling! My
darlingw Then all sensation vanish
ed.
Some time later, when conscious
ness returned, she found herself in
bed, with frightened, fearful group
around her and DR.. Whitlock calmly
pouring something down her throat.
He had just put her displaced shout
der in order, and she felt dizziness
in her head. Then he ordered evQry-
body out of the room and lowered q
window, saying she must have more
air. He wrote out his prescriptions
and was ready to leave. He stepped
to the side of the bsd. Hazel's eyes
were closed, but the tears were running
down her temples. He set his teet b
together, but it was no use.
Forgive mel" he said, in tone of
agonized entreaty- "Oh, God! | might
have killed you'll"
Hazel opened her eyes very wide.
She gave him a look which said plain
ly II love YOU" and with faint
smile closed her eyes again.
In a moment he was on his knees
beside the bed, and quivering with
long repressed passion, he exclaimed.
''Hszel, Hazel, my darling Do
you love mel Do you3 Tell me; love
Oh" he went on, Il never meant to
tell you this, not until had some
thing more to offer than an empty
hand; but | love you with all the
strength of my being. Do you for
give me?"
She smiled again and said: ''There
is nothing to forgive"
Then he bent over and kissed her
again, oh so fondly. Tell me, dear
est, that you will be mine some day.
| must hear you say it. j"
ooh" she answered, with little
sigh of happiness, Il am entirely
yours.
There is little more to tell. Her re-
covery was rapid. with a physician
and lover in one. The colonel found
out his mistake. But at the wedding
Hazel whispered to her first brides
maid, Ellie, that she thought first pro
posals lucky. The colonel mad sent
her diamond bracelet for wedding
present.