Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-08-13
CHATTER l..

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inc stepped up to him and spoke first.
answer me this" she said; have you
told Capt. Bennydeck who | amp
NO"
The shortest word in the language was all
that he could say in Tia, moment when he
first looked at her.
She was not the same woman whom he
had last seen at Sandyseal returning for her
lost book. The agitation produced by that
unexpected meeting had turned her pale; the
overpowering sense of injury had hardened
and aged her face. This time she was pre-
pared to see him; this time she was con-
scfous of a resolution that raised her in her
own estimation. Her clear blue eyes gilt
tered as she looked at him, the bright color
gi0wed in her cheeks; he was literally daz-
lied by her beauty.
'In the past time which we both remem-
Der" she resumed, you once said that was
the most truthful woman you have ever
known. Have 1 done anything 10 disturb
that part of your Old faith in me?'
Nothing"
She went on: Before You entered this
house l had determined to tell Capt Benny
deck what you have not told him vat. When
| say that, do You believe me?'
If he had been able To look away from her
he might have fOTesccn what was coming,
and he would have remembered that his tri-
umph over the captain was still incomplete.
But his eyes were riyeted on her face; his
tenderest memories OF her We're pleading
with him. lie answered as dociIe child
might have answered,
Il do believe YOU
She took letter from her bosom, and
showing il, begged him to remark that il
was not closed.
II was in my bedroom writing" she said,
"when my mother came to me and told me
that You and Capt Bcnnydpck had met IN
NV sitting room. She dreaded Il quarrel and
an exposure and she urged me to 20 down
stairs and insist on sending you away-Or to
permit her to do 50. if | could not prevail on
myself to follow her advice. | refused to
allow the shameful dismissal of man who
once had his claim on my respect. The
only alternative that | could see was to speak
with you here in private. rs we are speaking
now. Nh mother undertook to manage this
for me; She saw the servant aud gave him
the message which you received. Where is
Capt Bcnnydrck now"
"Ile is waiting in the sitting room"
waiting for you"'
Yes"
She considered a little before she said her
next words.
# have brought with me what was writ
ing in my own ROOM she resumed ''WiSh-
my to show it to You. VIII you read it,"
She offered the letter To hiru. He hest
tatcd. as it address, ut To- III, - lac asked
At is addressed To Capt. Is .uayd rc,, - She
answered.
The ,aGo0sy that still r,p,lcd in his mind
jealousy Gr,t h. haJ uo more lawful or
REASONABLE claim 10 rrrl til,n il he had been
a stranger confirmed him in htS resolution
not To read the letter SIP 'aaiay with mark
cd respect he begged that She would accept
his EXCUSES
She refused to excuse him.
Before Won decide" she said, you ought
at least To know why have written to Capt.
Benny trch, instead of speaking to hlm As /
hail proposed. My heart failed me when
thought OF the dIstrcS, that lac would feel
and, perhaps, eft the contempt for myself
which, good and gentle rs he is he might
notbc able to DISGUISE. My letter tells him
the truth, without comceaImrnt. | am
obliged to speak of the manner i'll which YOU
have treated M" and Of the circumstances
which forced me into acts of deception that
! now bitterly regret. | have tried not to
You no wromg. II is tor you, not for me, to
say if hal" succeeded. once more, will
you read my letter.
.i:.-.,;.;.
with which She spoke, appealed to his mem
cry OF the pardon that She had So generously
granted, while he and Sydney WcStrricld
were still guiltIcsS of the injury inflicted ON
her at a later time. Silently he took the let
ter from her and read it.
She lsrpt her face turned away from him
and from the light The effort to be still,
calm and rcasonabIc-to suffer the heart
ache, and not let the suffering be secu-made
cruel demands ON the self -bctraying nature
Of woman possessed by strong emotion.
There was Il moment when she heard him
sigh while he was reading. She looked
round ut him, and instantly looked away
again.
He rose and approached her; he held out
the letter in o,,.' ,Ilnd and pointed to it with
the other. Twice he attempted to speak.
Twice the influence of the letter unnamed
him.
II was hard struggle, but ii WAS for her
sake; he mastered his weakness and forced
his trembling voice to submit to his will.
ais the man whom YOU are going to marry
worthy of this he ASKED, still pointing to
the letter.
She answered, lirmly: More than worthy
of it,
MARY him, Cathcriue-aud forget Me"
The great heart that he had sore sorely
wounded pitjcd him, torgave him, answered
him with burst Of tears. she held out one
imp}oriug hand. His lips touched it-he
was gone.