Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-08-16
LURED AWAY,
OR,
The Story Of a Wedding Ring,
BIT CHARLOTTE III. BRARMR.

BIT CHARLOTTE III. BRAEMR
The rooms were crowded when she
reached Lady Brentway's. AS usual, she
was surrounded by crowd of admirers,
and then she forgot for time her doubts,
her fears, her troubles. Her beautiful
face grew radiant: her eyes shone bright
as stars she was the very embodiment of
beauty and grace; he- voice sounded like
sweetest music, her laugh was sweeter
than the chime of bells. She was en-
chanting: people looked on her with won
der She danced two or three times, and
then, feeling tired, sat down. Lady Brent
way seated herself by h. side.
II have the lion of the season here, Mrs.
Waldron. VIII you allow me to intro
duce him to your"
ITO which particular lion do you al
ludeSp she asked.
'Mr. Dale of Ravensdale, the popular
member as he is called. He is a very
handsome man, with sad, half-bitter ex-
preston Of face You must charm him
and convert him; we want him on the
Tory side. ! told Lord Brentway, IL any
one could convert him, ii must be you"
making conversions is not much in
nv line" replied Mrs. Waldron.
political, Of course ! have made many
political corr ersions."
II hope they were sincere ones, said the
beautiful woman, with laugh.
II hope so, too. If nature had gifted me
with face like yours, should have made
many more. Here comes Mr.. Dale. have
been wondering why he accepted my invi-
tation; he goes nowhere"
The next moment tall figure was bow
ing before her Lady Brentway said
''Mrs. WaIdron, allow me to intro duce
Mr. Dale to you" Then, bent upon hos
pitabe cares, Lady Brentway moved
away.
Ismay looked into the handsome face
bending near her; and then short, sud
den stifed cry came from her lips, her
face grew suddenly white as death, her
eyes assumed Il startled incredulous look.
Mr. Dale!" she said in "a low voice like
that Of one in dream.
There was no answ ering look; the face
into which she gazcd was cold and dark
and proud.
She casped her hands tightly
'Pray pardon me" she said. You are
30 much like 1t is-il is Paul himself
Paul, do you not know meg"
II have not the pleasure OF knowing
Mrs. Waldron," he said, turning abruptly
away.
She stood looking after him, wonder,
fear love, dismay, all striving for mastery.
at is paulp' she said. "As surely as L
breathe there is my husband, and he does
not know mer'
The whole room seemed turning round.
A nervous cry rose to her lips which she
could with difficulty repress. She looked
after the tall stately figure.
1T is-it must be Paul, " she muTmured.
'"Ihat is Paul's figure and Paul's face;
yct-no. | must be dreaming. How could
Paul be Mr.. Dale, aud "A member of Par
tament7 must be going madp'
Lord Brec0n came up TO ask her to dance;
abe declined, and he looked with wonder
at her pale, agtated face
Are you Ill, Mrs. Waldronp
mo" she replied, 81 am well enough;
but am puzzled. Lord Brecon, do you
know anything of the new member, Mr..
Dales"
Nothing much" he answered. "Iknow
he is wonderfully clever, and have heard
that he is self made man-he has risen
by his own efforts."'
What was he originality" she asked,
with trembling lips.
Il cannot tell; | have never heard. He
~ose from the humblest ranks, / believe.
Does he interest you, Mrs. Waldronf'
"All clever people interest me-" she re-
Piled
Il wish that | were clever" said Lord
Brecon.
els he-Mr. Dale-married, do you
know she inquired.
81 think not. have met him several
times, but never heard of Mrs Dale"
And then Lord Brecon, seeing that Mrs.
Waldron was diStrdtte and unwilling TO
talk went away.
"It il Paul" she said, as she watched
the stately figure. IL remember that fash
ion OF bending his head remember-ah
me, how shall bear its 1t is most surely
paulr'
lie was standing somewhat apart, look
ing over some photographs. She watched
him with n beating heart: her hands trem-
bled 80 that her fan fell from them, her
pulses throbbed, every nerve seemed
strained.
1T must be Paul; no other man living
ever had face like that Dare | speak to
himf lie did not know me; he could not
have understood my name. must go to
him, or shall der
He did not move even when he saw her
She laid her hand on his arms He looked
up In polite. cold proud surprise.
Paul, she whispered, bending low I'M
I'll her beautiful face was near his, Paul.
do you not know me1 | am Ismay-Is-
may, your wife,
u fear you are mistaken, madame, /
have no wife"
'Can be mistaken" she said. 81 must
believe"
But the words died on her lips. Lord
Brentway Joined them with some remark
about the warmth of the room. She was
obliged to control herself, although the
effort was terrible. Mr. Dale left them
with some excuse as soon as he could.
''He does not know me" she said
She would not believe that his want of
recognition was real She was in "A passion
of love, of sorrow, and dismay. When she
looked round the room again, Mr.. Dale
wns gone, but Mrs Waldron did not leave
until she had obtained his address; she
had resolved, come what might to call
upon him.