Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-07-05
LURED AWAY,
OR.
The Story Of a Wedding Ring
CHAPTER I.
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEslK.


never more be raised to caress or to threat
en-who realizes the tragedies that belong
to their history The love of which they
were the outward symbol is known on
earth no more--the wave of time has passed
over it, obliterating all trace; but what
poetry what romance, what tragedy ever
eaualed the stories attached to these old
worn wedding -ringsi
have a story to tell of one-the ring
that Paul Waldron placed on his wife's
fipeer-a ring of plain thick gold.
The birds that had built their nests in
the grand old trees of Dene Woods were
singing their vesper hymn; the forest
plades, the dells and knobs, the dark tan
gIed shrubs, were all bathed in flood of
golden sunset light.
On the eastern side of the wood stood
the pretty little cottage that had been
given to Paul Waldron for himself and
his beautiful young wife-a cottage such
as English poets delight to sing of-all
covered with wild roses and wOodbine, and
with trailing sprays of jasmine, its win
dows framed with flowers, its rustic porch
ovcrgrown with scarlet creepers, and its
large. old-fashioned garden containing al
most every sweet flower that grows.
AS it appeared now in the evening sun
light the air so full of richest fragrance
the roses all ablu0m the little brook close
by singing as it ran, the birds filing the
air with jubilant song. the cottage in it
self furnished matter for poem.
At the door, looking intently down one
of the broad woodland paths, stood a
young and most beautiful woman-Ismay
Waldron, Paul Waldr0n's wife, and moth
er of the lovely little boy playing on the
grass She was only nineteen, and marked
by great grlish beauty.
She had hair of shining brown, which
looked like gold in the sunshine: it covered
head of most perfect shape and symme-
try, falling in waving masses round IL neck
that also was perfeCt-it was such hair
as the old masters loved to paint in their
famous pictures Of Mary Magdalene. She
had eyes OF an indcscTibable violet hue,
with n golden light In their clear depths;
they were bright and proud, but the long
Bilken lashes softened them into wOndrOuS
beauty. Her brOws were straight and her
forehead was white, rounded at the tenn
pies, and full Of ideality. She had ripe red
lips, the upper one short, the lower one
full-a beautiful mouth that would have
made even n plain face lovely; the chin
was delicately moulded, and the curves of
the neck and shoulders We're full of grace.
lsmay WaldrOn was that most perfect
OF all pOems-a beautiful woman. Her
dress was quite plain, but the hOmely ma
terial only showed the marvellous beauty
of her girlish figure to greater advantage.
The hand that shaded her eyes was white
and graceful One might have wondered
how shelving in cottage, the wife of n
man who worked hard for his daily bread
came by this dainty beauty, this deli
cate, graceful loneliness that would have
been fit dowry for queen.
Suddenly her eyes frightened, and a
low musical laugh came from her lips.
She heard her husbands footsteps, saw
him in the distance, and FASTENED to meet
him.
Paul Waldron had the true Norman type
of face-dark, handsome, full of fire and
power. He Ind dark eyes from which an
undaunted soul looked out on the world,
dark hair that clustered round n noble
head, firm, well-closed lips, n tall, manly
figure, free, independent carriage and
bearing, MS though he felt himself to be
any mans equal-and so indeed he did.
His whole face changed and softened
when he saw his beautiful young wife.
You are waiting for me, my darling"
he waiting and watching for me-"
She claspcd her little white hands round
his arm, and they walked slowly home to-
gether.
You have not been dull to-day, Ismay,
hope" said the young husband, ques-
tioningly.
Not more dun than usual" she replied
ooh, Paul, make haste to he rich and let
us leave this quiet homely little cottage"
His countcnance fell as he listened to
la,
him, and kissed it with a passion that
knew no words.
My darling wife, to me this little cot
tage is more beautiful than palace; that
is because | love you SO dearly and 1t Is
our home. Do you not love it also7"
She smiled carelessly
Eyes; but cannot 20 into raptures over
It. When we have u grand manson-a
large house full of all kinds of beautiful
things then shall be as charmed rs ever
you wish me To be-"
"But, Ismay, | must work long and
hard, dear, before attempting to find you
large house. viii you never he happy
or content until then2"
A slight shadow came over her face.
My darling" he continued, earnestly,
''you will nevcr-oh, believe me!-you will
never be happier than you ARE now. You
have sunshine and music all the day long;
the birds sing to you, the little brook there
murmurs sweetest melody. | am no poet,
lsmay-not even an educated man-but
can hear all these You have bright flow
ers, the beauty of the morning heavens
the glory of the sunset, the long cleaning
and soft dewy nights. You will never be
happier, sweet"
With careless smile she looked into his
earnest face.
Il should like a large house best" she
said
81 have YOU here all to myself" he re-
sumed, my beautiful bird of bright
plumage, aud can worship you as | do.
Your beauty makes my heart glat-your
love makes earth like heaven To me. But.
II we were rich, and lived in the great
world, You would belong to So many 9TH
ers: others would delight in YOUR lowell
meas, and follow you with praise. You
ka2w those favorite lines of mac .s;ns"-
Ills in your eyes. my sweetest love,
My only world | see:
Let but their orhs in sunshine move,
And earth below and skies above
May trown or smile for mo
should not like my beautiful wife to be
admired by all the world. | am jealous,
and would fain keep her all to myself"
That is just what would please me-"
she said. IL long for this beautiful great
world you seem to deSpiSe The idea Of
passing my whole life in this pretty little
cottage does not content me feel like a
bird would faiu stretch my wings and
fly away" She looked laughingly at him.
DO you not think | am right, Paulf An
swer me-"
NO he replied "A woman should be
content with the love and admiration she
wins in her own home"
81 do not think" said Tsmay. frankly
speaking, that they will ever content me. 4"
She did not perceive how her words
Jared upon his sensitive nature. He had
been holding her tightly clasped in his
arms but now he let his arms fall nerve
lessly. She looked up at him again with
smile that was beautiful to behold.
"Will it be SO very long before you are
rich. Paulf'
Il cannot tell, Ismay. At present have
but little chance am Squire Schoheld's
stewardt | keep his woods in order, and
lock after the farms. have just sufficient
money TO keep our Eome-no more"
But" she demonstrated, her lovely
eyes growing dim with tears. you told
me that you would make money some
day"
His face cleared; brighter thoughts evi,
IDENTIFY arose within him.
THAT will be by my patents, Ismay.
have something like q genius for mechan-
I hn1y. g 1 IA b,,1