Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-03-20
as well as another ,.

as well as another
Il will do as you ask" she says, Won
dering whSn the interview will come to
an end
After all, am glad Nicholas is not
to be routed" he says. presently. with
some WEAKNESS in his tone The game
wasn't worth the candle. l should new
er have been able TO do the grand Seiq-
near as he does it. 1 suppose am not
to the manor born. Besides, ] bear him
no malice"
His tone, his emphasis on the pro-
noun, is significant.
why should you bear malice to any
one?n says Mona, uneaSily.
Your husband called me thief I
have not forgotten that" replies he,
gloomily, the dark blood of his mothers
race rushing To his cheek II shall re-
MEMBER JnaU Insult TO my diving uay.
And let him remember this, that If ever
meet him again, alone, and face to
face, | shall kill him for that word
alone.o
''Oh, no! no,n says Mona, shrinking
from him. Why cherish such revenge
in your heart? Would you kill me, too,
that you speak like this? Fling such
thoughts far from you, and strive after
good. Revenge is the food of fools"
'CII- al 4CalSI L sAd1l nave uldHN
more opportunities of meeting him."
says Rodney. Il shall leave the country
just as soon as l can. Tell Nicholas
to keep the title with the rest. | shall
never use it. And now" growing very
pale, lit only remains to say goodbye"
Goodbye" says Mona. softly, giving
him her hand. lie keeps it fast in both
his own. Just at this moment it dawns
upon her for the first time that this man
loves her with love surprising that of
most men. The knowledge does not
raise within her breaSt-as of course it
should do-feelings of virtuous indigna-
ton; indeed, | regret to say that my
heroine feels nothing but deep and
earnest pity, that betrayS itself in her
expressive face,
Last night you called me Paul. Do
you remember Cali me it again for
the last time" he entreatS, in a low
tone. II shall never forget what I felt
then. If ever III the future You hear
good of me, believe it was through you
it sprung to life. Till my dying day
your image will remain with me. Say
now, Goodbye, Paul, before l 60"
Goodbye, dear Paul. says Mona,
very gently, impressed by his evident
grief and earneStuess.
Goodbye, my-my belOved--cOuSin,"
he says, in a choked voice. | think the
last word is an after-thOught. He is
tearing himself from all he holds most
sacred upon earth, and the strain is
terrible. He moves resolutely a few
yards away from her, as though deter
mined to put space between him and
her; yet then. he pauses, and as though
pOwerlesS to withdraw from her pres
ence, returns again, and, tiinging him
self on his knees before her, presses a
fold Of her gown to his ips with pas
SIOnaJe despair.
1T is foreyer!" he says, incoherently.
ooh, Mona, at least-0t least promise
you will always think kindly of me-"
"Always-indeed, always" says Mo
ma, with tears in her eyes; after which,
with last miserable glance, he strides
away and is lost to sight among the
trees.
Then Mrs. Godfrey turns quickly,
and runs home at the top of her speed.
She is half sad, yet half eXUltant. being
filled to the very heart with the knowl-
edge that life, joy, and emancipation
from present evil lie in her pocket. This
thnuTht crowns all others
AS she comes 10 the gravel walk that
leads from the strawberries TO Tie sweep
before the hali door. she encounters tho
diSgraGed RidgWay, doing something or
other 10 one Of the shrHhs that has
come to grief during The late bad
weather.
He touches his hat to her. ard bids
her respectful 'good-U@teFroon, " but
for once She is blind to his saiuiation.
Nevertheless, she stops before him, and
i'll clear voice, says, ColGly,-
For the future Your services will not
be required here. Your new master.
Mr.. Paul Rodney, whom you have
chosen to obey III preference to those in
whose employ you have been, viii give
you your commands from this day. Go
to him, and after this try to be faithful
The bOy-he is little more-cOWers be-
meath her glance. He changes color,
and drops the branch he holds. No eX-
cuse rises to his lips. To attempt a lie
with those clear eyes upon him would
be worse than useless. He turns abrupt
ly away, and is dead to the Towers from
this moment.