Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-25
BERTHA DALTOa'S TRIUMPH.
THE HISTORY OF AN OPAL RING.

Nowhere Julie replied. If you
have missed me, it has been through no
fault of mine. You judged it better.
under the circumstances, that / should
be here-I agreed with you that it might
be so. In keeping silence / have made
sacrifices that few women would have
made: when is it to end? When are
you likely to be your own master?"
How can i tell" he said. Lord
Alphington is a hale man, and may live
for years-confound it! He doesn't like
me-there is no use in Disgusting the
fact: so that I am further than ever
from being able to have my own way,
'Why doesn't he like yOu:" inquired
Julie, impatiently. what have you
been doing? How has he come to know
you so well?"
You're not fair upon me, Julie-'pon
my honor, you're not" said Fancourt
wincing- when | want to do only what
is best for us bOth-for our future, you
know. If | am secure as to the title
and entailed estates, Lord AlphingtOn
might will away from me every shilling
he possesses and. by .Jpve. / believe he
would too, if | went against him. VIII
you listen patiently while l tell you
what propose?'
Have / not given proof enough Of
patiencc?" demanded Julie, tapping TIE
ground with her foot. II am nearly
tired Of it tired of being cOOped up
here. ! expected that by this time you
would have won over the old Earl. |
would have done So"
''Then, if you are tired of being
cOOPed up here, you viii be the more
ready to do what | wish, ;" replied Fan
court, taking no notice Of the latter
part of her speech. You cannot re-
main in England without danger Of de-
lection, and that would be ruin TO me.
BY Heaven. it makes me mad to think
what it would be' he went on with
sort of gron, Writhing in his chair as
he spoke. "Will you join your brother
in France, or will you return to Ameri-
ca2 You promised to keep quiet till
Lord Alphington's death"
MOP cried Julie, her eyes flashing,
her whole frame quiyering with anger;
Il will not COL | see what you want.
You would get rid of me if you could.
But you will not find that so easy
matter. Suppose | go myself to Lord
Alphington2"
'And be put under restraint as mad
woman" said Fancourt, with a sneer.
do you think for moment he would
listen to your"
''Yes,' answered Julie, in a lower
tone, her eyes fixed upon her compan-
ions face; ''he would recognize that
there must be truth in what | should
(which you stole" observed Fan
court, cOolly, not evincing the surprise
she expected. do you know that the
matter has been put into the hands of
n detcctiyc? If you brought that ring
forward, you would have to answer for
the possession of it"
M | ytnlI toll thaUnf7s ch ay-
claimed, greatly excited. ''DO You
think | should care what they did to
me? | would tell them who | am. 1t
would be for You to deny it."
(which / should do most decidedly"
said Fancourt, doggedly. "Now, Julie,
he reasonable. You can gain nothing
by going against me-nothing at all.
What is to prevent my stopping the al
lOWance give you? But don't want
to 10 that, though it's an Internal drain
upon me, by Joyc-that and the sums |
have to send to that COMPOUNDED broth
or of yOursln
what is to prevent your stopping
my allowance" cried Julie. ''Y on
know what would prevent it. You
know you dare not. | hold you in my
power. Go will not ut your bidding;
nor will wait much longer. Am | to
waste my life while you TcyCl? Don't
think it. You told me Lord Alphing-
ton was aged and feeble"
Fancourt had become very white with
some inward struggle; cold drops stood
ON his brow
''Is it your determination not to go?''
he asked, i'll low, constrained voice.
There may be safer places for the re-
fractory than either France or Amer
lea"
''Do you dare threaten me?'' she ex-
claimed, holly. Take care what you
don
Il will take care" said Fancourt
from between his closed teeth, as he
rose from his seat. Il shall be here
some time; perhaps before | leave you
will have changed your tune"
mo, no-a thousand times mol" Julie
cried. also rising. II have given You
warning twice. Soon L shall
act
Yes, you have given me warming"
said FauCourt, taking up his hat. But
/ don't want to quarrel with you, Julie
upon my honor, don't. L came here
to he friends
He did not meet her eyes as he spoke,
but smoothed his hat round with his
glove.
wanted" rejuincd Julie, but neither
do want to quarrel. Only you must
understand that am not to be put out
of the way just when it serves your
purpose Ii you have your game to
play, have mine. We have gone
through much together, Sedlcy," she
added in SuttCncd tonc-''Why should
we be adversarics now
1T depends upon yourself, y said Fan
court, sullenly. II Will see you to-mor-
row; you had better think over what L
have said
Ana then he took his departure, and
Julie stood looking after him with
flushed cheek and knitted brow.
There is something he will not con-
fess to me, she said to herself, as a
sudden suspicion shot through her like
a sWurd-tirust. John will know whom
he has made acquaintance with, and
where he visits Twill question John"
II do not think Juno is quite we'll,
sir, ~ observed John to his master, the
day but one following the interview be-
tween Julie Lemont and Fancourt:
"she's of her feed, and hangs her head
queerly."
Il don't suppose there's much the
natter FauCoUrt returned carelessly.
Leave her alone; I'll look after her"
John made no reply. He finished
laying out lis masters clothes, and
there being no further occasion for his
attendance just then. he went into the
inn kitchen and lighted pipe, and then
he sauntcrcd To the front door. whpreat
he stood smoking and Illuminating.