Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-15

UNDER TIE SPELL
For some DAYS after that / saw nothing
whatever Of Madeline; indeed. 50 close was
she kept in the great house, that She might
never have existed at all. | began to think
that she had taken her departure from Corn
wall: but j was wrong. One day the seventh
from that on which the life-bOat had brought
Madeline to shore, made minute inspec-
ton Of The mine, which every day grew more
dangerous, and came up from my work COW
ered with filth from head to foot. | had
passed the last ladder, and stood on terra
TRINA, at the mouth Of the mine, dazzled by
the quick transformation from pitch dark
Dess to broad daylight, when my ears were
struck by the sound Of voice which passed
like sudden music through my frame | rub
bed my eyes and looked about me, and there,
not far from where | stood, vas my old
sweetheart. She was dressed now III an ele-
CANT costume Of gray, which fitted her TO
perfection: little hat with long pIumeS was
oil her head and her face, looking lOVelieT
than ever, glOwed and sparkled III the light;
with her rich brown skin and sparkling black
eyes her erect carriage, graceful tread she
looked like some Eastern princess! She was
walking toward the spot where | stood;
George Redruth was beside her: while be-
hind followed the black girl, Anita. her dark
encounter had 50 unncryed me that. for q
moment, it deprived me Of the power both
Of speech and motion. Quickly recovering
myself, however, was about to move away,
and 50 avDIi onbarr ssuent, when the mas
ter's voice arrested me.
'TreIawney," nc said; "onC moment" ]
paused.
Yes, sir"
Miss Graham wishes to 90 down the
mine tell her it is impossible. What do
you Say? Is it fit for a lady?'
N:e about 10 reply when Madeline inter
posed
Don't worry about it, George" she said,
1--WE abandoned the idea" Them stepping
up to me, she held forth her little gloved
hand. / bowed over it. but did not take it,
giving as an excuse that ] was not fit to APP
proach her
u darcSay you were in quite rs fOrIOrE a
condition the other morning when you
snatched me from the wreck" she said:
yet you did not hesitate then, when your
own life was in peril. Mr.. Trelawney, take
my hand"
did as she requested; | cIasped the little
hand in both Of mine and raised it respect
fully to my lips. In doing so I caught
glimpse Of George Redruth's face; il was
black as the pit mouth.
Now, my dear Madeline he said, impa-
ticntiy, shall we 20 back?"
But Madeline was not ready, or perhaps
she was too imprrOuS to be 50 ordered by
her cousin. She had abandoned ali inter-
ton OF descending the mine; but she was
nevertheless, anxious to inspect the outside
OF it.
but YOU can 60" she said ''Mr Ire
lawncy will escort me-"
"Nonsensew returned her cousin. Gre
lawney has got his work to attend to. l will
stay"
And he did stay, for fully two hours; at
the end Of which time she allowed him to
take her away.
Il came to walk back with you" she said.
'Do you mmd?'
4 mtnd?" | repeated, in amazement.
'You forget, Miss Graham, it is an honor
for me to walk beside YOU"
She gave a little impatient toss of her head,
and we walked on together For some time
not word was spoken, but | felt that she
was watching me kcenly. Presently she
said:
Mr.. Trelawncy?"
"No"
Il have been trying to find in you one trace
of the boy knew, years ago, at MINISTER'S
and | have failed"
81 don't understand"
No? Well, | Will explain. The boy |
knew was kind to me; frank, Open-hearted,
generous. YOu are somewhat unfrendly;
reserved, harsh, and, if may say so, churl-
ish. Why are YOU so Changed?'
4 am not changed Miss Graham; or, if [
am, it is but with the tide of fortune, which
has ebbcd and not flowed with me since we
met before. When we were at MINISTER'S |
believed we We're equals, but now"
" eS; now
You ale Miss Graham; am the overseer
of your cousins mine"
"Thcn YOU wish lis to remain StrangeTS?'
i think it would be better"
''Ah! YOU are crueler than | thought; if
you will not accept my friendship for the
sake of the Old days when we were boy and
girl together you WILL at least, have some
pity upon me. | am lonely and among
strangers here. You seem like an old friend.
If you will suffer me to talk to you some
times it will make my stay here more pleas
ant"
Her pleading won the day, and we became
friends never went to Redruth House,
and she never came to the cottage. | never
sought her, but quite innOcently and frankly
she sought me- We often went on the moor
when after my long days work, was max
ing my way home, and | could not regard
these meetings rs purely accidental on her
part. She was always accompanied by the
black girl until one evening, when she APP
peared alone.
You are looking for Anita!' said Made
line, noting my glance. She has gone to
London with my amtS maid, and will not
return till close ON midnight. My cousin
counseled my staying at home Tonight, or
allowing him to accompany me- l knew ]
should not want for company. SO refused to
submit may not enjoy these walks much
longer"
What! are you going away?" l asked, in
some alarm
She shrugged her shoulders. 'Perhapsl l
don't know; certainly l shall have to go
sooner or later but trust it may be sooner.
When | was Shipwrecked here | was on my
way TO London, to take up my abode with
some other relations. They are troublngm me
with questions, so l have sent up Anita 10
satisfy them as to my safety. Yet suppose
shall some day have to GO
She tried to speak careleSSly, yet | fancied
detected ring Of regret in her voice, and l
quailed before the feeling of desolation
which her words brought to my heart
In that one sentence she had unwittingly
shown to me myself-revealed to me the ter
ribe secret which had been vainly trying
to crush from my heart Even as she had
infiuenced my boyhood. she influenced my
manhood.
loved her with the same unthinking love
which had filled my soul as a boy-loved her
even while | felt that such a love might be