Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-11-28

prefer taking my answer from your eyes
than from your lips. They are kinder.
You are going to marry me. you know,
and that is all about it. [ shall marry
uOU. whether YOU like it or not. so YOU
may as well give in with a good grace.
And III take you to see Rome and all
the places we have been talking about.
and We shall have real good old time.
Why don't you look up and speak to me
Mona:''
Because I have nothing to say"
murmurs the girl, in frozen tone
nothing" Then. passiOnately. Il will
not be selfish. | viii not do this thing. )"
''DO YOU mean Won viii not marry
me-" asks he. letting her 90. and NOV
ing back a step or two. frown upon
his forehead. Il confess I do not un-
stand YOU"
Try. try to understand me-" entreats
she. desperately, following him and lay
ing her hand upon his arm. 1T is only
this. 1t would not make you happy
not afterwards, when you could see the
difference between me and the other
women you have known. You are Il
gentleman; | am only farmers niece. ="
She saws this bravely, though it is ago
ny to her proud nature to have to con-
fess it.
''If that is ALL" says Godfrey. with a
light laugh, laying his hand over the
small brown one that still rests upon
his arm, Il think it need hardly sepa-
rate us You are, indeed, different from
all the other women [ have ever met in
my life, which makes me sorry for all
the other women. You are dearer and
sweeter in my eyes than any one | have
ever known, Is not this enough? Mona,
are you sure no other reason prevents
you from accepting me? Why do you
hesitate?n He has grown a little pale
III his turn, and is regarding her with
intense and jealous earnestness. Why
does she not answer him? Why does
she keep her cyeS-thOse honest tell
tales-so ohstinately fixed upon the
ground? Why does she show no small
est sign of yielding?
Give he my answer" he says,
stcTnlv.
Il have given it" returns she, in a
low tOne-sO low that he has to bend to
hear it. DO not be angry with me; do
not-I-'
who excuses himself. accuses him
SELF" quotes Rodney. Il want no rea-
sons for your rejection. 1t is enough
that | know you do not care for me. "
''Oh, no. it is not that! you must
know it is not that, y says Mona, III deep
grief. 1T is that | cannot marry you!'
"Will not, you mean.'
"Well, then. | will not, - returns she,
with last effort at determination, and
the most miserable face in the world.
''Oh, if you Gill not" says Mr.. Rod
ppV Wrat hfullV
"iEWiiiDno{t,' says Mona, brokenly.
Then don't believe yOu!'' says GeOf-
frey, angrily. Il am positive you want
TO marry me; and Just because of some
wretched fad you have got into your
head you are determined to make US
both wretched."
Il have nothing in my head" says
Mona, tearfully.
Il don't think you can have much,
certainly" says Mr.. Rodney, with the
grosseSt rudenesS, when you can let a
few ridiculous scruples interfere with
our happiness" Then, resentfully, do
you hate me?"
No answer.
Say SO, if you do; it will be honester.
IF you don't threateningly, Il shall Of
course think the contrary
Still no answer.
Il think you had better come home"
says Godfrey, deeply amgered with her.
"GOu must not stay here catching
cold"
\ little soft wooden shawl of plain
white has fallen to the ground, unLeed-
ed by her N her great distress. Lifting
it almost mwilIingly, he comes close to
her, and places it round her once again.
In SO doing he discovers that tears are
running down her cheeks.
'Why, Mona, what is this? You are
crying! My darling girl! There, lay
your head on my shoulder, and let us
forget we have ever quareled. 1t is our
first dispute; let it be our last. And,
after all, y comfortably, lit is much bet
ter to have our quarrels before marriage
than after"
''Oh, if ] could be quite, quite sure you
would never regret it, says Mona, visit
fully.
II shall never regret anything, so
long as | have yOu!'' says Rodney. ''Be
assured OF that"
Il am so glad you are poor" says
Mona. IF you were rich, or even well
off, | should never consent-never!'
''No, OF couse not" says Rodney, nm
hlushingly; las rule, girls nowadays
can't endure men with money"
This is 'SarkaSSum;" but Mona COM
prchCldS IL not.
Presently, seeing she is again smiling
and looking ineXpreSsibly happy, for
laughter comes readily to her lips, and
tears, as rule, make no long stay with
her ashamed, perhaps, to diSiiglre the
fair windows of her soul, " that are 50
"darldy, deeply, beautifully blue" $50
you VIII come to England with me, al
ter all?' he says, quite gayly.
Il would 90 to the worlds end with
you, returns she. gently. "Ah! think
you knew thar all along"
"Well. didn't - says Rodney. "There
were moments, indeed, when | believed
in you; but FIVE minutes ago, when you
flung me over so decidedly, and refused
to have anything to do with me, l lost
faith III YOU, and began to think you a
thorough going coquette like all the
rest. How | Wronged you, my dear
love. | should have known that under
no circumstances could you be untruth-
full"
At his words, a glad light springs to
life within her wonderful eyes. She is
so pleased and proud that he should so
speak to her.
"Doyou know. Mona, " says the young
man, sorrowfully, you are too good to
me-a fellow who has gone racketting
al 'Ntl tHc NoAlu. L Ill llOt ldlI NOIIlly
of you
"Aren't your" says Mona, in her ten
der fashion, that implies so kind a
doubt. Raising one hand he other is
imprisoned. she draws his ace down to
her own. Il wouldn't havg you altered
i'll any way" she says, mot IN the small
est matter. As you are, you are so dear
to me you could not be dearer; and
shall always love you, with all my heart
and soul"
My sweet angelo says her lover,
pressing her to his heart. And when he
says this he is not SO far from the truth;
for her tender simplicity and perfect
faith and trust bring her very near to
heaven!
CHAPTER VI.
SIS it very late?" says Mona, awaken