Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-11
BERTHA DALTOH'S TRIUMPH,
THE HISTORY OF IN OPAL RING.

4
use for more than one to 90 at a time"
said Mrs. Dalton. "By-by," she added,
playfully, kissing the tips of her fingers
to Fancourt. "Stay and ( Ike care of
Lena till | come back"
Mrs. Dalton left the room she
spoke, and Fancomt found himse f for
the first time alone with the object of
his passion. He had scarcely arranged
for making any definite proposal imme-
diately, though he had at that moment
gift in his pocket which he intended
to present by way of assuring himself
how the land lay.
At first he had hoped to persuade
Lena to agree to secret engagement,
if not to a secret marriage; but he soon
found that he must give up any such
idea. There was Ger ain dignity about
her that kept him in check, just as Lena
intended it should. Nor could he fiat
ter himself that he had excited any such
feeling in her breast as would induce
her to make sacrifice for his sake. He
perceived, as plainly as if Lena had put
it into words, that, if he desired to win
her, it must be openly-that she would
condescend to nothing less than an ac-
knoWledged position. This conviction
forced upon him, had cost him many
anxious days and sleepless nights; but
now as he found himself alone with
her, as he sat opposite to her gazing at
her beauty, he was carried away by his
passion OF self-restraint he knew
nothing; he told himself that he would
not, could not bear to leave his fate
longer undecidcd-that he would dare
all rather than run the risk Of losing
her; and, if anybody came between
them, let them beWarel
lie moved his seat close to Lena's;
ri hGpsIp IN n g4 wit IA in no
but she made no sign-she merely re-
marked on the beauty of the day. Fan
court drew morocco case from his
pocket, and edging his chair nearer till
it touched hers, he opened the case and
laid the contents before her.
"Oh, how beautiful" she exclaimed,
as she saw a splendid damond-and-em-
eTald bracelet displayed.
DO you admire it?' FanCout asked,
liking his bold eyes upon her, and bend
Ing till she felt his hot breath on her
cheek. at is for my future wife"
Lena shrauk back i'll spite Of herself;
but she made up her mind and stlfled
her repugnanCe.
your future wifel" she exclaimed,
with pretty pretcTsc of surprise
son, Mr.. Fancourt, how sly of you to
keep such a secret all this time. Who
is the lady, if | may ask"
"Do you not know, MadclinaI" in
quircd Eancourt, still keeping the same
position.
81? How should / possibly know"
she answered, with a bcWitching air of
Coyness.
at is you, Lena" said Fancomt,
Selling one Of her hands and carrying
IL TO his lips.
Lena trrmblcd. There was yet time
fn JVpt.s Ianl FIba f.aga rtit h ifg rrlitt or
ing treasure lay on her knee; should she
tell him to take il away-that she would
have none of it? Fancourt saw the
hesitation; he felt the hand he held half
wthd avn, but claspcd it closely.
LENA, hC said, 81 love you passion
atciy. desperately! You must have
known it. You may make of me what
you will, but, by Heaven, will never
give you up"
Ills face gIowed, his voice became al
most hoarsc with concentrated passion;
he felt at that moment capable of kill
ing her, rather than that she should
ever belong t. another.
what would yOu have that | cannot
give you?' ne continued, speaking thick
and fast Wealth? Everything that
you can desire shall he poured out at
your feetl Rank? You shall queen it
with the HIGHEST in the land-mOre
beautiful tha.. Them all!'
Again he attempted to draw her to-
ward him. and this time she did not re-
sist, though still her heart sank within
her. Until quite lately she had never
thought Of love in her visions of the fu-
turc. never lOngcd for it; why should
she feel paug of regret that she was
shutting herself out from it for ever
II was only a fair exchange that this
man wanted. a hargain-She giving her
beauty, lac riches and position. As he
felt her Weld, he looked at her CXultinG-
ly, and then, throwing his arms round
her, he kissed her passiunatoly, almost
ticrcelv, on her checks, her cy,s, her
lips She, pale, and cold rs ice, yielded
for moment to his embrace, and then
shuddcrngly stroye to eXtricate her
self. Her lips quivercd; she covered
her face with her hands.
on are too rough, and too bold"
she said.
Then let me make atonement," he
requested, as he stopped for the brace
let that had slipped from her knee.
Let me clasp this ON that lovely arm;
pom my honor, | had no intention to
offend. \ on don't mean to say n fellow
isn't to take kiss from the girl he
loves? And ! do love you, Leua-by
lovo, do" As he spoke he dropped
on one knee, and, drawing down her
hand, claspcd the splendid bracelet
round her arm. Nov, | hold you
mine, ' lac cried, his eyes all atlame-
'minc, whatever COmCS?'
Again Lena Shycrcd rs If a cold
spirit-breath had touched her Was it
warning? If SO, it passed unhceded.
Yes" she responded family, her
pulses seeming To stand still.
He would have claSpcd her again, but
she sprung from her seat; she could
bear no more. Her checks flushed
scarlet,
~ wish you would go" she cried;
'you have agltated me. lwould rather
be alone
"Go, exclaimed Fancourt, ''now that
you have said the word? You are
enough 10 drive fellow distracted
pom my honor YOU arc!"
"Oh, nonsCuScl' Lena reioined petu-
lautly. "Nhy am | driving you dis
tracted? am not quite well-my head
aches; don't You see that l am not
WClly'
NO, | see nothing but that You are
the most beautiful of women; and you
are mluc!' said FanC0urt, rs if to as
sure himself of the fact.
Yes, Lena admitted, once more,
sinking into her seat again, and passing
HCl utiltl btloNS utI hIONs ana HOW
gO-yuu prosecute me.
Faucourt 5 brow knitted: an evil look
came into his eyes. He knew that this
woman who had promised to be his did
not love him; hut he would have her
nevertheless. No thought of giving
her up crossed his mind
"Gou speak strangely, fair Lena, he
said, bitterly, rrSumtng his seat by her
side, and placing his arm round her
waist. Its a queer way TO treat a
fellow you have just accepted; by Joye,
it isl"
Leua's breast ueaved; she could
scarcely keep from hySterical crying.
really am not well, She said; lit
will he different tomorrow
"Do yoU then want me to leave you?
Must | not see you till tomorrow
asked FauCourt. somewhat appeased
1T Is a long Punishment truly" re-
Piled Lena, forcing smile.
y OH are cruel, Fancourt relolned.
Il scarcely understand You; pom my
honor, that is a fact
1t Is not difficult 10 understand that
/ want time to think, said Lena, more
gently.
TO think of WHAT" FanCourt asked.
at is too late to think of drawing back,
ii that 5 what YOU want to think about
You have given NOur word: YOU need
not think | will not hold Won 10 it"
Il have no wish to draw back" Lena
returned more firmly than she had yet
SUISpu - uf if Npu wish me not to