Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-29


and peaceful, could hear the click clack Of
my footsteps on the frosty road
My mind was sOrely troubled. / walked ND
and down the road until my pipe was finish
ed, then ] knocked out the burnt ashes upon
the ground and turned to re-enter the cot
tage, when ! started back with a half-sup-
pressed cry. There, not very far from me,
standing in the shadow Of one Of the laurel
bushes in Armies garden, was the tall figure
or a woman. She came quickly toward me,
and laid her hand upon my arm.
"Madelnep ! murmured, for it was in
deed she, dressed in her evening dress, with
her mantle thrown lightly over her head and
shoulders and her dear face raised wistfulIy
to mine.
mir. Trelawney," she said, quietly, sis it
true thai you have been dismissed from the
mne?"
Yes, it's quite true, Miss Graham"
"Oh, why viii you not be IS you were just
now, and call me Madeline" she cried, pas
slonately why have all those years come
and gone since we were children, and left rs
50 far apart, Mr.. TTelaWney. Hugh, let us
be children again! | was your help and So
lace once let me be so tO-night!'
She had spoken truly-why should few
years separate Us? Once before she had Of
ItibN tli' lltl lIitllNl~lItp dllAl udh dECtIlEl
It; why 10. now? | took her hand and kiss
cd it.
you shall be the same to me now as you
were then"' answered, you shall be my
friendr
/ think She understood me. SHE made no
reply, but for a moment she turned her head
aside; when she looked at me again, she was
rs calm as the mOOnrays which lay all about
her.
TEL me what has happened" she said,
"and what you are going to do"
VERY little has happened" | replied. Il
have got the dismissal which have all along
expected, and am going away"
Mr.. IreIaWuey, it was more than Sympa-
tiny which brought me here tonight | want
to ask you = question:"
"Yes?'
"If my cousin offers you the post again,
will you take it?'
] saw in a moment what she meant; that
she would interccdc for me; that the fact Of
my being reinstated would give that villain
George Rcdruth, stronger hold over her;
80 answered, firmly:
NO; the situation will not be offered to
me- and ii it was | should refuse it."
Your uncle and aunt are dependent upon
you, are they nOt?"
Not entirely. Ny uncle is sufficiently re-
covered now to resume his work For the
last week he has been employed at the mouth
OF the mine. If my sins are not visited upon
his head, and he is allowed to remain, they
will ito very well. As for myself, | am
young and strong; there is no fear for me-"
She made no answer; and !, looking at
her, noticed, for the first time, how thinly
She was clad.
''Madeline,' said, you will get your
death; let me take you back"
drew the shawl closer about her Shout
ders, put her hand upon my arm, and led her
away.
Hugh" she said, presently, ''you have
not told me the cause Of all this trouble.
Why have you and my cousin disagreed so
terribly"
The very tact that he was her cousin seal !
cd my lips
There is nothing [ said, 'sDut what had
best be kept between man and man"
"Ihen YOU absolutely refuse to make any
conccsSiOn"'
II refuse to receive any favor from George
Redr"tl.
"Or from mc?"
From You, MadeIine?'
Yes ! am rich, you know-very rich,
and now that you are in trouble | might help |
you"
No" l answered, quickly; don't think |
OF it, 1t is impossible"
"lmpoSSibe" she replied; the word |
friendship to YOU means nothing"
1T means tIat yuU may give me your Sym- |
pathy am grateful for tnat, but | cannot |
accept money from YOU
| walked with her as far as the entrance to |
the grounds surrounding R"druth House, |
then left her.
Her eyes were full of tears as she said
goodbye, and her little hand chung to mine
with a Persistence which welI-nigh unman-
ned me- was too much beside myself to
return to the cottage, 50 for about half a mile
followed the road which led to the mine.
1t was late, there was not a living soul
abroad it seemed to me; yet as | turned 10
retace my steps, ! came face to face with Il
man who had evidently been following close
upon my heels. il was Johnson.
Madeiinc'S Soft>uing influence was still up |
OF me. \ ct at sight of tins evil face it seem
ed to fade, and there arose within me all that
was worst in my soul. lie paused, blocking |
my way, and sneerngly addressed me:
Il guess, young man." he said, you'll get |
into worse trouble before YOU re done. Jest
YOU let the governor see you as | saw you
with Miss Graham to-niGht!'
The mention of her name by his foul lips
reused me to frenzy.
You scoundrel!' | cried, mention THAI
lady's name again and by Heaven Ill strike
you dead where YOU stand!'
"Oh, he sueercd, killings Your game, IS
it, Repeat that tomorrow before witnesses, !
young man, and your doom's sealed"
He passed me by, and walked on toward |
the mine while l. clad at heart to be safely |
way from him, walked with some speed to-
ward home.
found my aunt alone; asked for my !
uncle.
'lIe be gone back to the mine, Hugh, :" she |
returned Bat dawn't zee sit up for 'un, |
lad, daresay jim Rivers II bring nm |
hamc."
As knew | should have to be ready to |
join John Rudd at i've o'clock in the morn
ing | took my aunts advice and went to
bed; and - suundly did l Sleep. that l heard
nothing whatever OF my uncle'S return.
When l awoke it was still pitch dark.
struck a light and found that it was four
o'clock. l therefore got up and began to
.,.>t,,.> ,or my journey.
| went about my work as quietly as posi-
bic, hoping to disturb no one; but shortly
after | entered Che kitchen. my unc.e APP
peared fully dressed for the day. He look
Ell SO white and strange that, for moment,
| WAS startled into the belief that something
was the matter. As nothing seemed to have
TRANSFERRED, however, l concluded it was scr
row al parting with me.
Ny God, how the memory of that white
wan face came back to me in after days! 1t
was the memory of it, and of the patient