Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-11-15
side her

side her.
Bertha poured spoonful into glass
and held it while the unfortunate wom-
an drank. She then moistened hand
kerchief with eau-de-Cologne that also
stood near. and passed it over her fore
head. Mrs. Lemont looked at her;
tears rose to her eyes.
ssYou are good and kind" she said;
''but l am a wicked woman. not fit for
you to touch
Il know nothing about that" Bertha
rejoined. gently. IF you have been
wicked. I can only pity you the more
Mrs. Lemont sighed. Perhaps in that
sigh of cOntrition plea for mercy went
up on high. She turned her head to-
ward Lena.
did she love him very much?" she
asked.
bertha hesitated to reply. but Lena,
hearing the question, sprang up, her
eyes flashing, her frame quiyering, all
the distaste, the repugnance she had
felt toward the man she had promised
to marry overlooking.
Love himi" she cried. Il never
loved himl 1 hate him! The wretch
the monsterin
Then you are a worse woman than
l." she said, addressing Lena. You
would have married Sedley because you
believed him heir to an earldom; when
married him, loved him, and [ have
followed him through want and crime.
Oh, merciful Heaven, through what
scenes have livedl And now | am dy-
ing-dying = his hand!" A gasping
sob interrupted her; she clutched wild
ly at the air, and fell back on the pillow,
a more deadly pallor spreading over
cheeks and lips.
4n fol onI
the hand-bell; Lena rushed from the
room as the nurse entered.
us she dead2" Bertha asked, anx-
iously.
She's swooned away again, miss"
the woman answered. You'd best go
down. She'll not be fit to speak again
this while"
"Can help?" inquired Bertha.
mo, miss, can do, thank you all
the same" the nurse replied. She'll
be better with only me when she comes
to herself"
Her aid thus rejected, Bertha left the
room and went downstairs to seek her
sister. She found her crouched on the
ground, her head bowed down ON her
arms, which leaned on the couch; hys-
terical sobs shook her frame. Ber-
tina sat down beside her and, throwing
Lena yielded to her sisters gentle
force, and after time the passion of
tears spent itself, and she stroye to re-
cover calmness, influenced by Bertha's
arguments and entreaties.
DO You think it is true?" she said,
lifting her wan face, her eyes seeking
Bertha's, as if she would have read
there refutation of the terrible story.
"Yes, | see you believe it. The hus-
band of another-a would-be murderer
his lips have touched mine!"
She shuddered, and let her head fall
on her sisters shoulder as she sat, Ber-
tina half supporting her.
1T is very dreadful" said Bertha.
But, Lena dear, are you not thankful?
This discovery might not have been
made till after tomorrow"
''TO-morrOw!" repeated Lena, shud-
dering. Tomorrow [ thought all nv
dreams of greatness were to have been
fulfilled, and now | shall be only
laughingstOck "a something to be
pointed at. Oh, Bertha, how shall |
bear it? How can l go home and face
it ALP"
Try to compose yourself, " Bertha re-
piled, in as quiet a voice as she could
command; 1--WE have to get home. We
had better go-there is nothing to be
gained by staying here"
"Nothing" Lena sobbed. Nothing
by staying or goingl Nothing more for
me in this wOrld-nothingw
"Iiush!'' said Bertha. Il hear some
one coming"
1t was the nurse. She opened the
door softly. Bertha went to her.
Eliza is upstairs" she said, land |
thought you would like to know that
Mrs. Lemont has come to herself again.
L have just given her a composing
draught."
"Thanks. / should not have left the
house without inquiring," Bertha re-
turned. docs the doctor give any
hope that she will recoyer!'
"He thinks she may, if she can be
kept quiet" said the woman; 'but it is
difficult to keep patient quiet that has
got 50 much on her mind. She went on
so dreadful about seeing Miss Dalton
that we thought it better to let her have
her way. The poor, dear young lady
seems upset. she continued, looking at
Lena; would she like a little sal-vola-
tile, or anything?"
mo, thank YOU" Bertha replied.
"My sister found the interview trying,
but we are going home now directly"
Yes, we are going" said Lena, who
by desperate struggle had succeeded
in subduing the outward signs of the
tempest within. Come, Bertha"