Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-04-03

mo hopel' says Mona, with terrible
despair in her voice; ''then have killed
him 1t was | returned him that pistol
this evening. 1t is my fault,-mine. 1t
is | have caused his DEATH"
This thought seems to overwhelm her.
She raises her hands to her head, and
an expression of keenest anguish creeps
into her eyes. She sways a little, and
would have fallen, but that Jack Rod
ney, who is nearest to her at this mo-
ment, catches her in his arms.
Mona" says Nicholas. roughly, lay
ing his hand on her shoulder, and shak-
ing her slightly, Il forbid you talking
like that. 1t is nobody's fault. It is
the will of God. 1t is morbid and sim
full of you 70 let such a thought enter
your head"
$50 it is really, Mrs. Godfrey, you
know" says Molly, placing his hand on
her other shoulder to give her second
shake. ''Nlck's quite right. Don't take
it to heart; don't now. You might Is
well say the gunsmith who originally
sold him the fatal weapon is response
bic for this unhappy event, as-as that
you are"
Besides, it may be an exaggeration,"
suggests Godfrey; she may not be as
bad as they say"
Il fear there is no doubt of it, SIR"
says Jenkins, respectfully, who in his
heart of hearts looks upon this timely
accident as direct interposition of
Providence. "And the messenger who
came land who is now in the hall, Sir
Nicholas, if you would wish to Ques-
ton HIM says DIR. Bland sent him up
to let you know at once OF the unfortu-
nate occurrence"
Having said all this without break,
Jenkins feels he has outdone himself,
and retires on his laurelS.
Nicholas, going into the outer hall,
Cross-eXamineS the boy who has brought
the melancholy tidings, and. having
spoken to him for some time, goes back
to the library with face even graver
than before.
The poor fellow is calling for you,
Mona, necessarily" he says. 1T re-
mains with you to decide whethe: you
will go to him or not. Godfrey, you
should have voice III this matter, and
| think she ought to 60"
'Oh, Mona, do gO-dO," entreats boa
tie, who is in tears. "PoOr, poor fellow!
| wish now | had not been so rude to
him"
''Geoffrey, will you take me to him."
says Mona rousimg herself.
"Yes. Hurry, darling. If you think
you can bear it, you should lose no
time. Minutes, even, | fear, are pre-
ciOuS in this case"
Then some one puts on her again the
coat she had taken off such short time
since, and some one else puts on her
Seai-skin cap and twists her black lace
round her white throat and then she
turns to 90 on her sad mission. All
their JOY is turned into mourning, their
laughter to tears.
Nicholas, who had left the room
again, returns now, bringing with him
glass of wine. which he cOmpels her
to swallow. and then, pale and fright
ened, but calmer than she was before,
she leaves the house and starts with
Godfrey for the gamekeeper's lodge,
where lies the man they had so dreaded,
impOtent in the arms of death.
Night is creeping up over the land.
Already in the heavens the pale crcS-
cent moon lust born rides SILENTLY
"Wf the aud moon in hir arme
A deep hush has fallen upon everything.
The air is cold and piercing Mona
shivers. and draws even closer to GeOf-
frey, as, mute, yet full of saddest
thought, they move through the leaf
less wood.
AS they get within view of the win
dOWS of RawSOn'S cottage, they are
met by DR.. Bland, who has seen them
coming, and has hurried out to receive
them.
Now, this is kind,-very kind" says
the little man, approvingly, shaking
both their hands. And so soon, too;
no time lost. Poor soul! he is calling
necessarily for yOu, my dear Mrs. GeOf-
frey. 1t is sad case,-yery-very
Away from every one lie knows. But
come in; come in"
lie draws MOna's hand through his
arm, and goes towards the lodge.
us there no hope?" asks Godfrey,
gravely.
None; none. 1t would be useless to
say otherwise. Internal hemOrrhage
has set in. a few hours, perhaps less,
must end it. He knows it himself, poor
boy"
ma, turning to him with eyes full of en-
treaty.
My dear, what l could do, 1 have
done" says the little man, patting her
hand in his kind, fatherly fashion; but
he has gone beyond human skill. And
now one tnlng, you nave come mere,
know, with the tender thought of
soothing his last hours; therefore [ en-
treat you to be calm and very quiet.
Emotion will only distress him, and if
you feel too nervous, you knOw-poC-
haps-eh?7
q shall not be too nervous says
Mona; but her face blanches afresh
even as she speaks; and Godfrey sees it.
"If it is too much for you, say so,
darling" whispers he, cor shall l go
with you?"
1T is better she should go alone"
says DR.. Bland. 'IIe would be quite
unequal to two; and, besides,-pa pardon
me,-frOm what he has said to me there
were unpleasant passages between him
and YOU"
There were," confesses Godfrey, re-
luctantly, and in low tone. Il wish
now from my soul it had been other
wise. | regret much that has taken
place.
1--WE all have regrets at times, dear
boy, the very best of us, f." says the little
doctor, blowing his nose; who among
us is faultleSS? And really the Crcum-
stances were very trying for yOu,-very
-eh? Yes, of course, one understands,
you know; but death heals all divisions,
and he IS hurrying to his last account,
poor lad, all too SOON"
They have entered the cottage by this
time. and are standing i'll the tiny hall.
"Open that door, Mrs. GeOtfrey?"
says the doctor, pointing to his right
hand. II saw Won coming. and have
prepared MN IUr uue LnIervIew. L snail
be just here. or in the next room, if you
should want me. But can do little for
him more than have done"
"YOu will be near too, Geoffrey2"
murmurS Mona, falteringly.
~ s, YES; promise for him." says
Dr. Bland. In fact. have something
to say to your husband that must be
told at once.
Then Mona, opening the door indi-
Gated to her by the doctor, goes into
the chamber beyond, and is lost TO their
view for some time.