Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-22

!
they might find Marcia Lessinge or her re-
mains, for none were scarcely sanguine
enough to expect a safe return.
Marcia sped along the path in the rushing
rain; it was growing dark very fast now.
II may survive the night" she muttered,
land reach Clyde tomorrow, if find shell
ter"
"But she was beautiful" catching her
breath in whispers, with little, painful
gasps, "the woman whom he caressed, and
| know that he loves herp'
Not needing her steps, she caught her
foot In a tangle of vines and fell; strug-
Cling to her feet she pressed on toward the
terminus of the little woodland path.
at certainly leads somewhere" trying
to see through the stormy twilight. A faint
glimmer of light rewarded her aching
vision.
A few rods further and she came to
small cottage. Il did not know that this
bit Of land was really inhabited" she said,
much relieved; but it is somebody's
home"
MAY come in 2" she asked, family, rap
ping at the door.
An old lady answered the summons.
Gracious mel Why, come right inn
In trice Marcia Lessinge found light and
warmth In the plainly furnished, but pleas
ant interior. A bright fire burning on the
hearth reflected its cory CLEANS on a few
old-fashioned portraits on the smoky walls,
and the neat and tidy appearance of the
room was altogether home-ike and restfuL
After change of clothing and cup of
fragrant tea, the CHEEKY old woman asked:
You lost your way, did your
YES" answered Marcia, my boat is
ashore near by"
ats awful to be out in such storm as
this, specially on the water. You were
going to the city, supposed"
NO" said Marcia; looming from. was
going to Murray on Clyde"
80, yes; that is little farther north" re-
joined the hostess. My husband is over
there for to-day; would have been back to-
night but for the storm.
''I'ye son in the city, she continued,
"and here's his picture" taking up a case
from the table at her elbow. That's him,
his wife and little one" she added, proudly:
Marcia Lessiuge gave it one startled
glance and her head swan. Surely that
was Harley, standing there beside that
same lovely woman, something like she had
seen them herself A sunocssing sense
stole over her, but she asked family: "Ycrr
son, did you sayi"
"res'm; perhaps you may have seen him.
He resides at 122 West Fourth street this
year; last year he rented farther up town,
bat II was more expensive"
zone hundred and twenty-five West
Fourth streetr' whispered Marcia Lesstngc
with bloodless lips, land not Harley" and
with . stuffed cry she slipped to the floor.
Gracious mel; exclaimed the old lady,
''the storms been too much for her nerves."
and working faithfully over the fainting
Marcia she soon restored her to conscious
ness.
In few minutes she opened her eyes
Her son and not poor. abused Harleyr'
dashed through her mind. 'sOi IL has been
such 6 dreadful mistaken she mosned
aloud.
"Yes,n answ cred the hostess; '.sethink OF
your being lost in such storm is dreadful
II might have cost you your life
Marcia replied in the affirmative, but
family. She was inwar6ly thanking God
that she had missed Clyde. This being lost
had brought such sweet relief in its reve-
iatiou-
She could not sleep, but tossed about WON
dering, with many misgivings, if Harley