Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-11-21

to its place. and Mona. opening the
drawer next to it. shows him some eX-
auisite ferns dried and gummed on
paper.
dWhat a clever child you are!' says
Godfrey. with genuine admiration
'sAnd what is here!" laying his hand on
the third drawer.
''Oh. do not open that-do notl' says
Mona, hastily, i'll an agony OF fear. to
judge by her eyes, laying a lettering
hand upon his arm.
And why not this or any other
drawer" says Rodney, growing pale.
Again jealousy, which IS demon, rises
in his breast. and thruStS out all gentler
feelings. Her allusion to Mr.. Moore,
most innocently spoken. and later on
her reference to the students, have
served to heighten within. him angry
..Do notl'' says Mona, again, as
though fresh words are impossible to
her. drawing her breath quickly. Her
evident agitation incenseS him to the
last degree. Opening the drawer i'm
pulsiyely, he gazes at its contents.
Only little withered bunch of heath
er. tied by blade of grass. Nothing
more.
Yes. " she says, with cheeks colored
10 a IltIl Ndl utIIlt-. anu litlNIliilS tNNS,
and Iips that culver i'll spite of all her
efforts at self control, that is the bit OF
heather yoI, gave me, and that is the
grass that tied it. ! kept it because it
reminded me of day when | was hap
py Now" bitterly, Il 10 longer care
for it: for the future it can only bring
back to me an hour when | was grieyed
and wounded"
Taking up the hapless heather, she
throws it on the ground, and, i'll a tit of
childish spleen, lays her foot upon it
and tramples it out of all recognition
"Goln she says, in chOked voice, and
with little passionate sob, pointing to
the door. You have done mischief
enough" Her gesture is at once inn
periOus and dignified Then i'll a softer
voice. that tells of sorrow, and with Il
deep sigh, lat least" she says, Il be-
lieyed in your HONOR
The reproach is terrible. and cuts him
to the heart. He picks up the poor lit
tie bruised flower, and holds it tenderly
III his hand.
How can [ go" he says, without
daring to look at her, until at least, |
ask forgiveness? Mona. love makes one
cruel; | ask you to remember that, be-
cause 1t is my only excuse" he says,
warmly. Don't condemn me altOgeth-
er. but forgive me once more"
Il am always forgiVing you. it seems
to me, says Mona, coIdly. turning from
HIM with trOWn. And as Tor that
heather" facing him again, with eyes
shamed but wrathful, Il Just kept il
beCause-becauSe-oh, because | didn't
like to throw it away. That was all y
You mustn't think | supposed you
kept it for any other purpose" ne says
soiemnly, and in such depressed tone
that Mona almost feels sorry for him.
lie has 50 far recovered his courage
that he has taken her hand, and is now
holding it in close grasp: and Mona
though little frown still fingers on heI
low, broad forehead, lets her hand Sc
lie without cenSure.
''MOna. do be friends with me-" he
says, at last, desperately, driven to SIM
plicity of language through his very
misery. There is humility in his
speech that p!eases her.
1T is really hardly worth talking
about" she says, grandly. Il was fool
lSh to lay so great stress on such a
tritling matter. 1t doesn't signify, not
in the least. But-but," the blood
mounting to her brow, eff ever you
speak of ii again-if You even mention
That word shall never mass nv Inns
againTn-y0Urc6 mT3lny--I17ef FT-7 ST-r5~'
saws he Until Won Give me- iaava NV
dSriing,n in a low tone, IF Won could
only know how vexed | am about the
whole affair. and my objectionable con-
dnrt Vet Mona t viii NOT hide from
You that this little bit % Of i senseIess
heather has made me happier than |
have ever been before"
STOPPING. he presses his Inns TO her
hands for the first time, The carpss is
long and fervpnt.
SAY am quite FORGIVEN. y he pIeads.
earneSi.y. his eyes ON hers.
Yes. 7 forGiyc Won > she saws al
most in a whisper, With q SERIOUSNESS
that amounts to solemnitv.
Still holding her hand. as though Ioath
to quit it, he moves towards the door;
but before reaching it she slips away