Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-26

AS for the chance of any stray rumH
reaching me concerning changes at St Cur
lofts, it was fully as remote as if | had been
dweiler on the other side of the earth. The
village where | dwelt reSembled an island
surrounded 10y an unnayigable sea, and the
people in ii knew as much or more OF KANT
Schatka as they knew Of ST. GurOttS. From
generation to generation, they dwelt apart:
TrOglOdytes Of the mine. they knew OF moth
ing beyond it Very few among them had
ever bsheld the sea, though its nearest point
of coast was under forty miles distant.
One Sunday, the second after my arrival,
/ vas aStoni>hcd 10 see q light country cart
draw up at the door, containing John Rudd
and my cousin Annie. Startled, and fear
ing some bad news, l stepped out to greet
them, and learned that they had driven over
from yarmouth, a town some twenty miles
distant, where they had arrived in the car
rler's wagon on the previous night
| assisted Annie down, and saw that she
was very pale and trembed Then while
John Rudd drove away to the beerhouse,
where he was to put up the horse, | led my
cousin into the cottage.
Directly we were alone, she burst into
tears
Something has happened" l cried.
Cptdk, ANNE! uOn Keep HE Ill suspense.
Is anything wrong at hOme|
Ny fear was that some evil had befallen
my poor uncle, but | was Immediately reas-
sured.
'Alps well at home, Hugh dear; it's not
utIE when Drought me over ca ia 10 Jeh
you that the marriage day is fixed. They are
to be welded in st. GurIott's next Wednes-
day morning"
knew of whom she spoke, though she
mentioned no names, and l was both sur
prised and angry that she should travel to
me with 50 sorry message, She saw the
darkness gathering in my face, and cried
eagerly:
Hugh, dear, don't be angryl l felt must
come and tell you-for oh it is breaking my
heart, as well as yours"
looked at her in amaZement
Breaking your HEARTH l echoed. What
is it to you?'
at is everything to me. Master George,
though he is going to wed Miss Graham, is
my husband in the sight of GOdy'
Then l was rightr' | cried. 81 was right
from the first. The Yillainl He led you
from your homep
She bent her head in weeping acquieScence.
All my spirit arose once more against her,
for though | had suspected the truth, her
| looked at her in horror as stretching out
her hands pitifulIy to me, she prOceedes.
Hugh, dear, promised that l would one
day tell you everything, and it is for that |
came. l waited on till the last, [ thought to
hold my peace, | hoped and prayed that he
would never go so far; but when | heard the
day was fixed, my mind was made up--to
hold my peace no more. But first | went to
him, and prayed to him on my knees. Then,
finding that it was all in vain, I determined
to come here,"
You are speaking of George Redruth?' /
asked, SternIy.
''Yes-0f the young master"
you left home in his company? You
were together in Lond0n?''
God help me-yes!"
why have you screened him so long,
Because [ made him promise, Because
believed until the very lastthat he might
make amends. BecaUse-because-I did not
wish to see him harmed! Oh, Hugh, forgive
me don't look at me ike thatI You prom
iScd to be d brother to me always. KeeD
Your promise now"
How cOUld | resist her sad appeaIP | was
chuTl to repuISe her, even for moment
But, castiEg off the mask OF severity, kiss
ed her. and placed her in chair. AS she
looked up at me with her pleading fearful
eyes [ silently cursed the scoundrel who
had been the cause Of her trouble: but for
her, poor girl. | had only sympathy ana love.
THEN q thought crossed Ny mind, and l ask
ed eagerly:
Haze you spoken of this to any one else?
Does nay uncle kn0wY'
She shock her head.
no one knows bat Yourself. :" Sire replied.
How could | speak of it TO anyone but
your
so much the SETTER Z returned. EVIL
enough has come of all this already. and [
wOuld not for tbs world that it SHOULD reach
the old man eaTs. He believes G. AOrge Red
ruth blameless. God knows what lac might
do if he knew Aim 10 be Is gu.ty,as you
say
Full OF the new tbouglye her confession
had awakened, I walked ny &nd down the
r00IGs after a little while | sent over her
again, and took &ag hand.
Annie, I must know ,evssr .; not part
Of the truth, but the whole; then, perhaps, [
can help you. But first, abnfE15hj> marriage?
You say if is n0Ey certain lhing?'
Yes, Hugh. That is w!r cane
You did Well, / answered. y ~, tell
me the whole story
She Obeyed me, and listened in deep agi-
tation Simply, clearly, she described to me
all thai had taken place, 1gom the day She
had first LETT her home.