Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-19

kstZtl lulc ueT gray eyes. TtT u
moment he could not speak. The sight of
! Beatrice, the touch of her hand sent the
blood rushing through his veins Days.
weeks, months, he had pictured this meet
ing, and now it had come to pass!
| She was fairer than ever-fairer than
ever The pure classical features seemed
even more perfect, the clear pale face more
| beautiful, the dark gray eyes more wonder
! full than of old. And, as she had given that
! little cry of joy, something had leapt into
| her eyes which Carruthcrs had never before
seen there, or never before seen SO clearly
! and undiSguisedly. The surprise of seeing
him had swept away caution, and for the
space of two seconds, Frank was able L,
read the very secret of her soul.
| No wonder he held her hands and gazed
| silently i'll her face What had he to say
what could he sayf The certainty that she
| loved him made his task no easier-the task
of telling her that he knew her secret, or ut
least great part of 1.-THE task of asking
her to confide in him and let him help her
So he remained silent until she gently drew
her hands from his.
The light had faded from Beatrice's face
She also, after a moment of forgetfulness,
was coming back to her own world and its
troubles Her eyes dropped and her face
| clouded.
"How did you find mem she asked in
troubled tones
by a strange chance. l will tell you how
some day"
"Tell me now
| Frank shook his head
mot now" be said LET il suffice tina.
have found you"
But" sad Beatrice with agitation, do
others know-can others find mel If YOU
learned it why not another!"
He saw the display of fear and FASTENED
| to reassure her mo one save myself can
learn it III the same way. Your retreat is
! safe"
She sighed her relief. There was an
awkward pause Frank was the first TO
| break it.
Beatrice" he said, 81 have come long
way to see you. have much to say--you
may have much to say to me. Can we go to
some place where we can talkf'
Eyes, We can go to my home.n Beatrice
called her boy, and Frank, glad of ANYTHING
to break the awkwardness of the moment,
| greeted the little fellow and made friends
with him to such purpose that he insisted
upon Mr.. Carruthers holding his chubby
hand and walking with him.
"What pity to cut that bright HART
said Frank to Beatrice.
ut was more than pity-it was cruel, but
it was cruel necessity" she said sadly.
Beatrice led the way to the house in which
she lived. She walked with her head bent.
and as one in deep thought. She could not
make up her mind whether to be glad or
sorry at Franks coming She saw, how
ever, that it put an end to her present mode
| of life. That 1t meant confession, revealing
of every thing That 1t meant return to
England and to such friends as would still
be her friends. That if it meant shame and
| sorrow, it also meant safety and immunity
from persecution. She began to regret that
she had yielded to Sarah's wish to go to Eng
land and see Hervey. But that was not Of
much consequence. She felt sure that as
soon as Carruthers learned her history her
affairs would pass into hands more compe-
tent to deal with them than the hands of two
weak women. So on the whole her feelings
were those Of relief.
And yet for some, for one reason, Frank
was the last person she would have chosen
to whom to reveal her secrets. She shrapk
from having to show the man she loved that
her life for years had been one Of deceit
Now that the deceit had to be confessed TO
him, it seemed to lose all the innocent ma
ture which she had hitherto fattered herself
it possessed In short, II such a thing can
be imagined, Beatrice felt, as Carruthers
once felt her to be, as an idol would feel
when just upon the point OF being hurled
down from its PEDESTAL
Carruthers, who had his own thoughts to
trouble him, and to whom It seemed that
any conventional remarks would at the pres
ent juncturs be mockery, respected her
meditatiors, so that, save for the lisping
prattle of the boy, silence reigned until
Reatrice found herself in her room with
Frank sitting near her. 1t struck her as so
strange that he Of all others should be here,
that even now she wondered If she was
dreaming She Stunned his eyes, fearing TO
read reproach In them.
How are they all at homer she asked.
How are my uncles, and dear old Halle
woodf' Her eyes filed with tears Her
emotion did not escape Carruthers.
s'They are all WELL" be said Il heard
from Herbert few days ago He sent me
your letter"
''Will they ever forgive meF' said Bea.
trioe. "Wll they ever speak to me againr
II hope so,' said Frank gravely. They
were, of course, much yexed and upset"
Beatrice glanced at him nervousiy. Even
be had but held out hope OF forgiveness
and be loved her. She wished he had not
come to Munich.
~ soSy Ah'~ uiy Ic9oCo LOT leaving
Englandf' she askei, timidly.
No They have hszsrded many gues,.a
but not one has been near the truth
She started At his answer The truth
Did be know the truth, II so, how had b.
learned IL!
do you know why leftF' she asked.
A look Of pain settled on Carruthers' face
YES" b. said. softly. Chance ha,
given u.s ycar story. But 70 ne-oaly 10
do you know aIl-an that I have dooA
II that have sunereir
He rose There Was strange agitation in
his manner and voice.
sAu~ be exclaimed. Beatrice! Bea-
tricel how can l find words to tell you what
/ know: BeStrice. a. / not just now hear
that child call you motb.rT
Yes, b il my son. she satd, calmly.
aAliis continued CarrUfberA excitedly.
'sNsed know ALI Nesd l Be racked by
bearing the ons love tell me ALI Med |
pain her by forcing Der 70 hear met Have |
4 ~rA ~vzr,xDhS UI~ shn>.lA 4 ~, /