Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-04-01
LOVERS AGAIN.

Out Of the window of the old wooden
bridge, whose hooded tunnel threw a
dark bar across the moonlit mountain
streGm,a man and a woman stood look
ing into the pine-clad amphitheater of
meath the spell of a September night.
The black hollow of the bridge, with
its one moonbeam sharp across the
floor, contrasted with the awful splendor
of the granite gorge, buttressed and
pinnacled in every rising tier, under
the floor of ghostly light, and if the
only object of the couple in coming
here was to see the view they were
amply repaid.
From their conversation since they
left the hotel, which now lay behind
them. hidden by fringe of the forest,
it would have been difficult to say
that this was not their only object.
The small talk of acquaintanceship,
friendship and even love is within GER
tain limits, and among people habituat-
ed to each others conventions, prac-
tically Indispensable. Frequently it
is difficult to decide why the degrees
should be of so much consequence to
the parties.
1t was in this case knowledge of the
world and the good temper of expert
ence that kept Mrs. Hugonin and
Arthur Kinnaird on perfectly un-
ruffled terms with each other. The
conviction that he had long ago for
given her, gratifying as it once had
been, was now of such long standing
that it had become confused with her
earlier and less justifiable conviction
that he ultimately would forgive her.
Thus secure in vindication, the de-
sire for which the dying Eve bequeath-
ed to all her sex, Mrs. Hugonin could,
without the slightest reflection upon
her widoWhood, accept once more the
companionShip of a man who tolerated
life as comfortably as Arthur Kin
naird. The imminence of the climac-
teric which she knew to be threatening
him was not TO be read from his figure.
His step was alert, his cheeks were
bronzed, his tastes were rational, and
what more could he desire?
She pushed back her dark hair under
its somewhat youthful cap, and, lean
mo her elbows on the ledge, gazed,
without speaking, at the haunted de-
file. Kinnaird gave little laugh be-
hind her. Margaret" he said, upon
my word, it seems as if We We're boy
and Girl again"
why, particularly" she asked, with
out turning her head.
"Oh. all this summer" he replied.
She didn't ask him to be more explicit,
ut is certainly an ideal place" she
said, with a half sigh. Yet it is foolish
10 say that the beauties Of nature re-
store ones youth. One may feel young
again. but one is not really any the
less dispa> sionate."
i an not SO sure of that" said Kim
naird Il should like to argue the
point with you-if it could be argued"
"YOu men are all alike" said Mrs.
Hugonin, with an inconsistent shrug
of her shoulders. You give up to
logic what was meant for converse
ton"
Kinnaird stroked his mustache
thoughtfully for moment. "And SO
you think me dispassionate?" he OBJ
served.
"You?" said Mrs. Hugonin, turning
with delightful laugh. why, Arthur,
there isn't a sentiment or conviction
to whose support society could order
you to contributor
off you mean that" he, said slowly.
at is quite as [ feared"
CAS- you feared?"
you still believe me capable of as
much mistaken self-control as [ once
was, And" he added calmly, Il don't
wonder"
Though there was no bitterness APP
parent in his tone, Mrs. Hugonin was
startled. Really, this is unlike YOU,
Arthur" she said, gravely, but vet
with a sense of amusement. You
petulant with the past? You provoked
with your recollections? Indeed, i have
mistaken you"
He laughed, but gently. Come, he
said, you have no right to be ironical.
Though | once let you 90, it was be-
cause | thought you wanted to be re-
leased"
Upon my word, Arthur" said Mrs
HugOnin, II did not know you were
serious, or l should not have taken this
as joke"
Il am entirely serious"
"Really?" said Mrs. Hugonin, and she
spoke with some irritation. 81 thought
all had been forgotten and forgiven
years ago" Then she drew herself up
proudly. Can it be that after all this
whim of forcing me to a--to an apollo
gy?"
"No-hardly that"
4 am ready to make it," she went
on. But if do"
Kinnaird moved to the window be-
side her and laid his hand on her arm.
You are much mistaken" he said, in
the undisturbed voice which so pro-
voked her. You must indeed think
that / am taking leave of my wears.
never had much vanity, think, but
what | had when | was younger |
never made pet of. Look over there
at the rocks, and what do you see?"
"Rocks-and moonlight. But. Ar
thur"
The rocks made me recollect," he
went on, unheeding, that one day
when you were about seventeen you
and | climbed Lone Mountain to-
gether. And when we reached the
rayine you insisted on going first, and
| let you. Now | did that because /
reflected that if you fell could catch
you"
"Well?"
@You see, that was my first mistake.
should have gone first, and made you
cling to my-pardon me-coat tails. "
Very likely" said Mrs. Hugonin.
half laughing. But 1 can't think it
does US any good to talk It over now. "
After that" said kinnaird. pursu-
| ing his subject. Il acted consistently