The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-03

barred him FROM competing for the
prize that alone could have made life
worth living, which Isabel was accus-
toned to receive with jest or comment
on his lazy life and habits, and wonder
why she had SO completely, even before
his return, outgrOwn what she now de-
nominated her ''Dcnchant for Robert
S.anope."
The New Years ball was at its height,
and very beautiful Isabel Stuart looked
in her long shimmering satin gown, her
only ornament medallion. in diamonds
which were the old Stuart heir-looms.
She was resting in . corner Of the con-
servatory. watching the distant dancing,
and her companion was absorbed with
her beauty. At length he said:
'.lsabel. l am going away tomorrow;
do you know what It feels like to say
goodbye TOTO all that is dearest to
One!"
II think that, like the poor. you have
always with you, Isabel replied, care.
lessly turning her head aside.
Don't jest eternally, Isabel" Robert
Stanopc cried, impatiently. II wish
you to speak earnestly, and want you
to lister"
"You were testing then about going?"
she said, laughing, enjoying his ILL.,
humOr.
"Would you care to know that !
was?" Robert Stanope asked. tenderly.
'Why should l care? You are useful
to me in entertaining my guests, but l
think prefer you should go SO far, at
least, as have interest in the natter"
ut is to assure myself OF the extent
of that interest that have brought YOU
here tonight" With warm eagerness
in his voice, and drawing his chair close
to hers: Il feel that you love ME,
Isabel"
Astonishment and indignation for a
few seconds sealed his companions lips,
then:
..How dare you insult me by such
words?' she broke forth. How dare
you address such language to meP"
Il dare upon the right my love ard
your permission of it give" he said,
calmly.
II deny your right either to insult or
love me-" Isabel said. Indignantly, as
tears of modification sprang to her
eyes.
"Why have you allowed me to visit
you for six months, daily? You can not
afford much Indignation if 1 have ms
understood you. Peream would see the
ridiculous side of it, you know"
''Pereamp"
'Have you supposed Peream had its
eyes shut?' he asked, angrily. '.But,
pshaw! it's rid culous if you pretend not
to know that our names are together
in every mouth in the town. The fact
that no letters have come recently with
All Elko postmark has added to the in
terest."
Isabel stood silent. Her power of
speech seemed to have forsaken her. At
length she said, in a strange, unnatural
tone:
"Do you really mean it?" should
least have expected this from you, Rob
ert Stanope," she exclaimed, turning
suddenly toward him.
why from me?" the young man said
quickly, ado not love youp Was It
for me to dictate the proprieties to Mrs.
Stuart?" he said. mockingiy. "Oh, Is
abel, why did l give you up?" his tone
suddenly changed to pleading one.
Il feel senseiess with agony in the
thought of parting from you. How can
l go? You cared for me once. You do
II despisc you!" she burst forth in
angry Indignation. II must greatly
have descended since you dare to adj
dress ME thus. Perhaps l owe this to
some of Peream's scandal loving
tongues. 1t may be that to them. too.
l owe the loss of my one chief Joy, my
husbands letters. 1t is true no longer
receive them. l may never see him
again, can not tell how far the poison
is buried, but can tell you that John
Stuart, though dead to ME perhaps. has
all the love of his wife's individual
heart"
As Mrs. Stuart said goodbye to her
guests that evening she announced, in
an incidental, careless fashion. that she
was saying goodbye for longer space
than usual; she would start the next
day but one for Nevada. She was tired
of her widowhood. and since her hus-
band had not come t. her she had re-
solved to go to him. Day was break
ing in the east when the last carriage
rolled away, and Isabel, feeling heavy
of heart yet firm in her new resolve.
paused for a moment over the dying
hall fire before beginning her busy day
of preparation.
Suddenly deep, strange. yet famili-
lar voice broke the stiffness. and a pair
of strong arms were around her, as
their owner said:
'sThank God, can at last claim my
wife. reached Peream yesterday. l
could not endure it longer without see
ing you, yet should have gone back I'M
discovered but for your sweet confession
in the conservatory last night-my dar-
ling. How can 1 bear the delight of
feeling that my wife really loves me!
My little grass-widow. who never shall
be one any more. Isabel. have
You word of greeting for ME? And
will you forgive me for eavcsdropping?
l had only meant to see you and go
away aSain-I could not retreat, aud
was obliged to hear what alone could
have given ME permission to claim my
wife?' Chicago News.
~
The State Prison at Milan.