Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-02-05
CHAPTER III.

Once more Christmas Eve deepenS
into night over the village Of CARING
ford, and everything looks cold and
cherries in the pale moonlight, and,
strange to say, the park gates ofthe old
Manor House stand open, while not a
sound of carriage wheels is to be heard
to account for this unusual incident.
The lodges wear an air of sad neglect,
with windows broken and doors ajar.
No cheerful sound of man or beast
comes from the lonely large old stable
yard-everything is dull, quiet, and life
less. The house itself stands dark and
desolate in the winters night-silent
and mournful, as if some great i'll had
fallen over its ancient threshold; and
indeed it had, for not two months ago
the hale, hearty old Squire of CARING
forG was brought home dead from the
hunting field, and when his affairs were
investigated, it was discovered that the
estate was deeply mortgaged, and that
only few weeks before his death this
foolish man had been persuaded to in
vest his capital in company that had
just failed.
Heavily indeed fell this new miSfor-
tune on his widow and children. The
old home must be given up, and they
forced to seek a living in the hard, cold
world. No wonder, then. with this sad
fate shadowing them, that this Christ
mas Eve fell sadly and solemnly over
the old Manor House of Carlingford.
For further information we will, with
the readers permission, enter EthePs
room, and listen to the lOW-toned con-
Versation carried on between two girls
who are sitting, as they sat year ago,
costly nestled in low easy chairs before
bright wood-fre.
Both are changed. Ethel's face has
lost its sunny smile, and there is a
mournful, yearning expression in her
sweet dark eyes-the sweeter for their
sorrow-that tells tale of anguish that
no loss OF home or money could have
brought there.
Bella, too, is quieter, more subdued,
perhaps only out of respect for her
friends sorrow, for even now the ro-
guish twinkle in her laughing, bonnie
eyes is but half hidden beneath the long,
straight lashes that shadow them.
Darling, do not look so awfully
unhappy. am sure, positive, that after
all you will not leave dear old CARING
ford"
For Heavens sake" cried Ethel,
paSsionately, do not-do not remind
me of my sin, for is it not sin and
disgrace for woman to sell herself for
gold, as have consented to dop | to
marry man l hate, while 1 devotedly
love anOtherl Obi mother, mother,
what have you forced me to suffer-"
And the girl moaned despairingly, as
she leaned back on her cushions.
After short pause she spoke more
quietly.
Bella, l have promised to marry Sir
Desmond Leslie to save my mothers
life, for the doctors say that if she has
to leave Carlingford in her present
delicate state, it may prove fatal to her;
so for her sake am to be the wife of
man despise, and of whom 1 know so
little. Is there no help, dearest Bell?
Can no one save me?"
In her restless passionate pain she
had risen, and walking hastily to the
window, drew aside the heavy crimson
velvet curtain, to look out.
What mouruful night how CHASTITY
everything looks covered with snow,
like one vast shroudl" she whispered,
as shudderingly she let the curtain fall,
and crept back to her seat; then, her
head dropping into her slender hands,
she cried in silence, Come, come, dear
tNiScy do o.
turn out happily after ALL"
Happily" The utter scorn conveyed
in that one word can scarcely be ina
gined. Happiness for mel Can ever
forget, sleeping or waking, that to-
morrow | give up my liberty-shall
prove myself false to my lover!"
Perhaps it will not be so bad; Sir
Desmond is not such horrid old fellow
after all, when you get to know him.
If had not set my young affections on
Charlie, L
Bella Fortescue, thought you had
some little feeling for me, but find |
was mistaken; let Us, however, once
and for ever drop the subject of nv
marriage" was Ethels cold, dignifed
interruption.
Very well, my dear, but kiss and be
friends. Good night"
NO, stay with me, forgive me: can
not bear to be alone" poor Ethel plea
ded. But, Bell, you are such strange
girl, sometimes so full of tender kind
ness, at others"
$50 heartless? So be it. But since
am not to go just now, let US choose a
more pleasant topic to discuss than my
perverseness. have notyet had q mo-
ment to tell you how 1 got on in my ex-
petition to the north; so stir up the fire,
and / will relate my adventures.
To Re CONTINUED