Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-12-26

II know why you said that about Ry-
an, and | thank you for it. | should not
like to think it was your word trans
ported him."
''Yet. am letting him go free that
he may be the perpetrator OF even great
er crimes"
s'You err, nevertheless, on the side of
mercy, if you err at all: and-perhaps
there may lie no other crimes. He may
have had his lesson this evening-a last
ing one. Tomorrow [ shall go to his
cabin, and
Now, once for all, Mona, interrupts
he. with determination, Il strictly for
bid you ever to go to Ryan's cabin
again"
1t is the first time he has ever used
the tone of authority towards her, and
involuntarily she shrinks from him. and
glances up at him from under her long
lashes in a half-frightened, half-re-
prOachful fashion, as might an offended
child
Following her, re takes both her
hands. and. holding them closely, draws
her back to her former position beside
him.
Forgive me; it was an ugly word, !"
he saws: II take it back. ] shall never
doing so must bring that look into your
eyes. Yet surely there are moments il
every woman's life when the man who
loves her, and whom she loves, may
claim from her obedience, when it is for
her own good However, let that pass.
| now entreat you not to 20 again to
Ryan's cabin"
Releasing her hands from his firm
grasp, the girl lays them lightly crossed
upon her breast, and looks up at him
with perfect trust:
NAY" she says. very sWeetly and
gravely. ''yOu mistake me. | am glad to
obey you. | shall not go to Ryan's
house again"
There is both dignity and tenderness
in her tone. She gaZes at him earnestly
for a moment. and then suddenly slips
one arm round his neck.
''GeOifrey," she says, with visible
effort.
Yes, darling"
II want you to do something for my
sake"
II will do anything, my own
at is for my sake; but it will break
my heart"
me-"
II want you to leave ireland, not
next month, or next week, but at once.
Tomorrow, if possible"
but why, darling?"
because you are not safe here; your
life is in danger. Once Ryan is recoy-
cred. he will not be content to see you
living, knowing his life is in your hands;
every hour you will be in danger. What
ever it may cost me, you must 60"
THAT'S awful nonsense, you know"
says Rodney, lightly. when he sees [
haven't taken any steps about arresting
him, he will forget all about it, and bear
no further ill-will."
"You don't understand this people as
/ do. / tell you he will never forgive
his downfall the other night, or the
thought that he 10 in your power"
"Wcll, at all events, | shanU go one
moment before l said / should" says
Rodney.
lit is now my turn to demand obedi-
encc," says Mona, with a little wan at
tempt at Il smile. "Will you make ey-
cry hour of my life unhappy Can [
live in the thought that each minute
may bring me evil news of you,-may
bring me tidings of your death?" Here
she gives way to a passionate burst Of
grief, and clings closer to him, as
though with her soft arms to shield him
from all danger. Her tears touched
him.
well, I will CO. he says, Ion one
cOnditiOn--that You come with me-"
"ImpOsSible.o drawing back from
him. GLOW could be ready and, be
sides, have said will not marry You
until a year goes by. How can ! break
my word?"
That word should never have been
said II is hotter broken -
"Oh. no.
Every we'll l shall not ask you to
break it. But I shall stay on here. And
if, says this artful young man, in a
purpOsely doleful tone, anything should
happen, it will
Don't say i'll DON'T" cries Mona. in
agony, stopping his mouth with her
hand. DO nOtl Yes. | give in. will
go with You. will marry You any time
you like, the sooner the better, fever
ishly; anything to save your lite!"
This is hardly complimentary, but
Godfrey passes it over.
This day week, then, f." he saws, hav-
ing heard, and taken to heart the wis
dom of, the old maxim about striking
while the iron is hot
Every we'll says NJ ma, who is pale
and thoughtful
And then old Brian comes in. and
Godfrey opens out to him his newly de-
viSed plan; and after awhile the old
farmer, with tears in his eyes, and a
strange culver in his voice that cuts
through MOna's heart, gives his consent,
and murmurs blessing on this haSty
marriage that is to deprive him of all
he best loves on earth.
And so they are married, and last
words are spoken, and adieuX said, and
sad tears fall, and for many days her
own land knows Mona no more.