Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-04-07
NE TINTED VENUS.

a FARolAL ROMANCE,

Have my words been fulfilled, then?
she said lis your insolent pride hum
bleu ut Last: And do you sue to Inc
for tie very favors you so long have
spurned?,
You can put it that way if YOU like,
he said, duggedIy. If you want mo
you'd say so while there's time, that's
au!'
Little have you merited such leln
cncy," she said, land yet it to you !
owe my return to life and conscious
ness. Shall l abandon what l have
taken such pains to win? No. l accept
your submission. Speak, then, the
words of surrender, and let us depart
together
Before / do that" he said, firmly
there's one point l must have settled
to my satisfaction"
You can bargain still!'' she exclaimed
hauyhtily. Are all BARRIERS like you:
II your point concerns the safety OF
this maiden, be at ease; she shall 80
unframed. for she is my rival no long
err
well. it wasn't that exactly" he ex-
planned; "but I'm doubtful about that
ring being the genuine article and l
want to make sure
But Il short time since and you were
willing to trust al to me-"
II was, but, if l may take the liberty
of observing so, things were different
l1,n fI1of
bclt-you may be wrong about
the ring!''
"FoOlr' she said, how know you
that the quality of the token concerns
my power? Were it even unworthy
metal, has it not brought me hither?''
yes he said, but it mightn't be
strong enough to pass me the whole
distance, and where should [ be then
1t don't look more to me than Is carat,
and I daren't run any extra risk.'
"How, then can your doubts be set
at reSt?' She demanded.
Easy" he replied: there are men
who understand these things. All ask
OF YOU is to step over with me. and see
one of them and take his opinion; and
if he says it's gold-why, then. l shall
know where | ami
'.AplIrodjte submit her claims to the
Judgment of mortal! she criedl
Never will | thus debase myself
VERY we'll he said, then we must
stay where we are. All l can say is
~ made you fair offer"
She paused why not:" she said,
dreamily. as if thinking aloud. Have
not | sued ere this for the decision Of a
shepherd judge-even of Paris? Ills
but one last indignity, and then-he is
mine indeed, Leander," she added
araciously, 1T shall do as you will.
Lead the way: l follow
Hut Matilda who had been listening
10 this compromise with incredulous
horror, chung in desperation to her
lovers arm and tried to impede his
light. ''Leander,'' she cried, "Oh
Leander! surely you want be bad
enough to go away with her! You will
not be so wicked and sinful as that.
Remember vino she is-one of the false
gods of the poor benighted heathens
she owned it herself! She's nothing
less than a live idol! Think of all the
times we've been to chapel together;
think of your poor aunt and how she'll
feel your being in such awful company!
Let the police come and think what
they like; We'll tell them the truth and
make them believe it. Only be brave
and stay here with me; don't let her en-
snare you! Have some pity for me, for
if you leave me, [ shall die"
ALREADY the guards are at your
gates" said the statue; choose quickly
Willie you may"
He put Matilda gently fom him.
'"riIlie,'' he sid, with a convulsive eff
fort to remain calm, you gave me up
of your own free will-you know that
and now you've come round too late.
The other lady spoke first
AS she still chung to him. he tried to
whisper some last words of consoling
OF reassrlring nature, and she suddenly
relaxed her grasp and allowed him to
make his escape without further dissua-
sion-not that his arguments had re-
coEciled her to his departure, but be-
cause she was mercifully unaware Of it.