Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-03

KNOWS tne1r 1ull power. Sue sIlVcFeu
with dread when she thought that the
evil day might be near at hand. She re-
pembered horrible tales of dishonored
homes, enraged husbands and deeds Of
revenge. Visions of death haunted her
waking hours as well as her dreams; and
death, its eternal repose, its deep silence,
terrified this poor earthly little creature,
absorbed in pleasure, and craving for ex-
element and amusement.
This unfortunate letter put an end to
all these fears; now it was possible for
Frank to denounce her, even in moment
of rage, for he had placed a powerful
weapon in her hand. The moment he
opened his lips, that moment she would
produce his letter, and all his accusations
would seem to Florence the merest calum-
MES.
She was radiant with delight; she
threw her windows wide open to the sun
and air, and at once issued numerous or
ders to her cook and gardener. The house
must be made charming, for was not
George coming again7 She made arrange
ments for a large dinner at the end OF the
week. She seemed a if she had just es-
capped from prison, so eager was she for
movement and life.
The next evening, Sylvia, her husband,
and Madame lola were together in the
drawing room. Florence sat drawing at
the table, while his wife was singing at
the piano to nadame's accompaniment.
Suddenly she stopped in the middle of a
bar, and laughed aloud.
The clock was striking ten.
Florence looked up in establishment.
"What are you laughing at?" he asked.
"My thoughts" answered Sylvia gaily,
and she directed the attention of her
teacher to the clock
It was the hour named for the rendez-
vous at the station, and she was thinking
of Frank promenading the platform in
vain expectation Of her coming.
From the moment that the messenger
had brought Sylvia's Yes, Franks restless
anxiety left him. The die was cast, and no
retreat was now possible. He argued no
more with himself; his conscience seemed
| scared and hardened. He calmly made
all his arrangements, packed and sent oil
his trunks, and then sat down in the va
cant room, without one pang for the girl
who would weep such bitter tears, without
one thought Of his brothers horror and
despair. All this was to come later, but
was now of minor consideration. a
His mind was now concentrated Oh the
anticipation of meeting Sylvia at the sta
ton. She would come closely yelled, dress
=
the train flying through the darkness; of
small graceful head lying among the
| cushions, and two eyes that shone like
stars; and still the train sped on. Then a
vision Of the blue sea, of an Eastern land
| where they themselves were unknown,
came to intoxicate and bewider him.
Two hours before the time for his train,
Frank was at the station. He seated him
self in the darkest corner of the waiting
room, and sat, as if carved out of stone;
but his brain was as active as ever. He
looked about mechanically, though it was
far too early to expect Sylvia. In half an
| hour, quarter Of an hour he might begin
| to watch for her.
Then began that horrible expectation
! that racks the nerves Of the strongest
Poets have written Of it; most of US have
felt it. And TO pass such moments in a
| crowded railway station, with the noise of
opening and shutting doors, and constant
tramp Of feet! Frank went outside, and
stood watching the cabs as they dis
charged GHe1r occupants.
A lady closely yelled; young girl with
her father; an elderly woman with her
maid, but no Sylvia.
1t was a damp evening, light fog i'm
parted to the Cab-lamps a PARKWAY look ;
but neither cab nor carriage brought Syl-
via.
The hour for the departure Of the train
was near. He ran to the booking office
and took two tickets Then he returned
to his post of observation. At last he saw
her. Yes, it was her figure; and with her
was another woman-Madame ZolI. of
course. But a second look undecoived
him. 1t was a lady bearing a certain re-
semblance to Sylvia. A young man Joined
ner. They were evidently bride and bride
groom. The father and mother were
there to see them off, They passed Frank
and he saw them get into the train. At
this moment heavy hand was laid upon
his shoulder. He turned, and saw Mr..
Grey.
Are you off by this train2" said the
old man. 81 shall be your fellow-traveler
but not very far. lie then explaneu tnat
he had missed the train he had wished
to take. For" he added, Il was dctain-
| ed in the City by the great failure to-day
I hope Speed and Florence won't suffer !;
but young people are not very cautious.
l must be off; they are going to shut the
gate"
Frank hardly heard these disconnected
sentences. His brothers ruin, the de-
struction of the whole world, would not
have disturbed him at that moment.
The ten o'clock train pulled out of the
station. He tried to think calmly. Evil
| IDENTIFY she must have missed the Rich
| mOnd train. Would she come later?
Should he go to Waterloo to meet her. or
wait for her here? He would wait. The
young man seated himself. Suddenly he
found that he was dying of thirst. The
refreshment room was open. He went in
but, just as he lifted the glass to his lips,
| the notion that Sylvia was waiting for
| him, alone in the darkness outside, took
such violent possession Of his mind that he
| rushed out, leaving his money and the
untouched glass on the counter.
She will not come. What had hap
| penedR Who had detained her? Was
| she i'll, or overwhelmed by remorse? But
| in that case she would have let him know.
| Perhaps his brother had found the letter.
| Sylvia was so careless.
While passing from conjecture to con-
| lecture, the night wore on; the distant
| buildings whitened and became distinct.
! What should he do2 He would go at once
| to Richmond and find out the truth. The
morning was chilly, and as he hurried
| towards Waterloo he saw little crowd OF
working people gathered round a police
station. If he had only stopped to have
seen what interested them he would have
| been saved many a pang of sef-reproach.
| Two or three hours later, when he
reached Richmond, the sun had risen. He
saw his brothers house, with its open
windows and gay flowers in the balconies.
| He wandered about some time before he
| ventured to enter the grounds. Suddenly
| some one spoke to him, it was the coach
man.