Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-20
LESLIE.

Ever that always the same!" he
unused. "Oh. it is maddening! She
clings to that memory through pain, neg
lect, poverty. A thought of him is
more to her than all the gold and jewels |
can lay at her feet. How hate him, Ny
love for Claire Denslow is consuming me,
and she is cold as ice, disdainful. smiling
contemptuously on my gold while hunger
is gnawing at her bonny heart will see
her--I will see her! Tonight, this very
hour. now, for the last time, | will offer
her love, luxury, content. or-revenge.'
Gurdon Aylmer money lender and rich
est man in the district walked straight
up to the mansion, assembled the pOrtiro.
and reached the front door.
Through the half-curtained window he
could see within the sparsely furnished
sitting-room.
1t held four occupants Claire, placing a
homely repast before her sad faced mother.
her little sister. and decrepit childish old
Grandfather Denslow.
cts my time. its my time. sureIy!"
breathed Aylmer, feverishly. They have
sold off everything, even to ordinary artic-
les of comfort They have lost every dol
lar they put into that old imbecile's child
ish suit at law in the city The girl may
refuse my love and aid for herself. but for
the sake of her mother, for the sake of her
starving ones. she will accept me when
tell her that unless she does, I, owner as
mortgage of The Cedars. will send them
adrift, homeless with the dawn of Christ
mas Day"
p-tap-tap.
A reluctant voice babe the mwelcome
visitor of Christmas Eve to enter.
Il am sorry to intrude. spoke the hypo-
critical Aylmer, but have few words
to say to you.
Claire placed the lamp on table in the
dreary parlor. She stood, a shudder ira
versing her veins, awaiting the money
lender 5 words.
They came IN a torrent imprisoned,
pleading, persuasive, menacing. BY right
of law he held The Cedars and It's inmates
at his mercy
By right of gold he offered her it back
wealth, luxury the price of a word of
love-
She was not angry; she did not even be-
tray her loathing of the man who had plot
ted and waited for three years.
She was calm. her face the face of an
angel, as she said. simply:
Tomorrow then. Mr. Aylmer, we
leave your house. As to the rest, prom
ised Leslie Fenton when he went away
three years since to be true to my love for
him living or dying, in poverty, suffering,
homelessness. That is my answer now
and always"
Into the face Of the rising storm. awaken
ing from its transient sleep. the baffied
Aylmer flung his mad and bitter rawlings
once free from the mansion.
10 do Cba1 ON oy-nT Tho c,,oyr,- laJoroS
like being demented. spurned by the
woman whose lightest smile he craved
even more than the glow of all his boarded
gold
Straight against a muf1ed, toiling figure
he stumbled, recoiled with an imprecatiOn
and then stood rooted to the spot, staring
vaguely at face that to him was the face
of the dead.
Great heavens.' he gasped, under his
breath. Leslie Fentonr'
Pardon me, spoke the other. Il fear
! have lost my way, Can you direct me to
The Cedars ?"
Gurdon Aylmer's breath came hotly. a
demoniac hatred flashed in his eyes His
accents were hOarse and strined as he
pointed down path unbroken and barely
discernible
Yes. that way
OF all dark deeds the weird night shut
in to its bleak bosom of gloom. that was
the most hideous
Aylmer stood watching the reoeding
form. 1t toiled along the narrow path.
suddenly il CROPPED, slid fell
A cry of horror rent the air far down
the snowy cliff-side, as the guilty mis-
creant, Gurdon Aylmer, fed. like one pur-
sued by phantons.
A cry vain, despairing, lost:
Helm