Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-08-16
CHAPTER XVIII.


Lord CarlswoOd looked up in disrnav.
He had been dining out, and Mrs Wal
dron had given orders that she was not at
home tn anyone. He was pleased to find
her alone; the dinner had tatigued him.
and he was glad of the prospect OF quiet
evening. He had drawn his chair to the
window, making some careless remark to
her about the warmth and beauty Of the
night. There was no reply, and the old
lord thought she had not heard him. Al
ter time he spoke to her again, and again
there came no reply. She was standing
by the open window, her face hidden from
him.
'Ismay, what are you thinking OFF, he
asked
Then she turned to him. and her face
frightened him. it was so white, with col
orless lips and Swallowed eyes-the face of
one who had received Il mortal blow; she
seemed almost unconscious of his presence,
unable to understand his words He was
shocked and territicd-he went to her and
took both her hands in his.
"Ismay." he said, what is the matter,
my dear childy'
The eyes she raised to his were dazed
and heavy with grief.
what has happened to you?" he cried.
you look SO i'll, you brighten me: you look
As though you were dying. What Is tn
matter2"
81 have seen Paul" she replied. and the
tone of her voice was so changed, so
hoarse, so altered that he did not know it.
II have seen Paul" she repeated. land l
asked him to take me back-to lake me
back because l love him so-hecause am
so guilty, so wretched-and he would
not. He said had broken his heart years
ago, and the thought is killing LIE"
The white face drooped; the hands fell
nervously; the words died away on her
colorless lips, and the next minute Ismay
Waldron, the beautiful woman, the I'M
happy wife, lay white and senseleSs at the
old mans feet
He moaned as he bent over her.
Il have killed herr he said. ''She is the
victim, not of her vanity but of my pride.
/ have slain her!''
Some hours afterward Lord Carlswood
sat nv 1smav's bedside rrava-fsced
doctor was there, and he looked as though
he hal no very favorable verdict to give
Isma" lay quite unconscious No word
that WIS uttered fell on her ears.
You say" repeated the old lord, that
she has had some great shockf"
Yes" was the grave reply; this illness
comes from the mind, not the body: there
has been a strain upon the mind and that,
followed by a shock, has been too much
for q not over-stroug brain"
Lord Carlswood looked at him.
"She is in danger. you Think
"She lies in the very shadow of DEATH"
said the doctor; human skill can avail
her but very little
Days passed, and the shadow of death
did not pass from the house. 1t seemed to
those who watched Ismay so anxiously
that she was conscious at times. but even
then she lay with closed eyes, needless OF
everything and everyone around her
a fortnight had elapsed, and one even
ing she looked at the nurse who stood by
her bedside.
VIII You tell Lord Carlswood I want
himr she said; and the old lord FASTENED
to obey the call.
Are you quite alone," she asked. 81
want to speak to YOU
He kissed the worn face, he held fondly
In his own the thin, white hands.
'.My darling, what can do for your he
asked.
Grandfather" she said. 81 have not
long to live. / have never been what peo-
pie call religious; but am going to die