Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-04
The Shattered Idol.
BY THE AUTHOR OF DORA THoRNe"

never would be stilled, she thought
pacing her room with restless steps
and passionately clasped hands; she
had given no sign TO the man she had
met that his coming or going was Of
any moment, any interest to her. She
had put aside old memories, old re-
grets, old habits Of thought, when she
came 10 be mistress of her splendid
home; she had striven-d did strive with
all the power Of her naughty will to
crush back the past. And now Rex
the Rex of her childhood, her girl
hood--was come back-the man to
whom she had given her love, who had
loved her-loyed her still 1t might be
bright, winning Rex! Was he quite
the Rex Of old? Was there not some
change in him--or In her? Which was
it? Had there been in the Rex Of old
those reckless, even hard lines about
the mouth? Had there been In the
bright eyes at times that unmistaka-
able look which testifies to reckless
life?
There was picture Of Lionel Stan
hope hanging in the room, and Glare
paused before 1t and looked up, scan
ming each line Of that noble face, I'M
consciously comparing 1t with that
which was as wildly now before her
mental vision as this picture was be-
fore her physical sight. She saw the
difference clearly enough. She knew
that In this man resided a mighty
power that, with all his winning
graces of person and character, Rex
had never possessed-the power of ex-
allied honor and principle. Glare
knew that his was the higher nature,
the grander intellect, and yet her heart,
not her reason, chung to the memory of
that bright, living dream so rudely
broken-broken with cruel hand of
this man of lofty honor.
why was he so hard, so inhexibleT'
she murmured--in the dark eyes look
Of half-passionate resentment and yet
Of strange usefulness "Was | so
much more beautiful than others? He
knew that had no love to give-that
| sold myself for so much gold. Low
Ing me, he could not have so trampled
on me. Love, gifts. and jewels, and
any pretty toy | fancy
A bitter smile curled her lips, and
she turned from the picture.
$50 he thinks to win me. to buy for
ness--forgiveness Of that one act
which shall ever bar the very thought
of lover
She paused long in meditation; then
seemed to shake Off with an effort her
gloomy thoughts.
"Wllfred will not come now" she
said with sigh. my boy! How I
long to see his dear bright face-the
only one l may loye!
Magnificent truly was Lady Glare
Stanhope. radiant in crimson and
white satin and cleaning jewels, as
that night she entered Lady Tregaron's
rooms; and no sooner had she so en-
tered than She was surrounded by Der
court"
About half a hour later every one
was asking who that was Lady Stan
hope was waltzing with, and sir
Lionel himself asked the same question
of Lady Trent.
II know his face" he said, "but have
forgotten his name"
Dear me, Lionel, that is Rex Yer
ner, He was at the election ball last
year. Just before your marriage"
II remember now" answered her
cousin. 'Some one told me he was q
friend of the Trevelyans. think"
Friends? Yesw Grace Trent laugh
ed aud famed herself languidly
boy and girl lovers, | suspect! Look.
how he bends down TO her as they
move away; aud he escorted Ter to her
carriage today with the greatest
alacrity"
Two remarkable circumstances. my
dear cousin" said Sir Lionel, with a
smile in which mingled tinge of sar-
easm. You must credit every one. |
fear, with the character Of lover who
speaks 70 Clare or takes her to her
carriage"
"Ohl there is a difference" declared
Grace. what harm Is there If they
were lovers? No one marries the per-
son they love, you know; and am
sure he Is handsome enough to win
any woman"
And now Rex led her, the queen of
the ballroom. whose shining satin
covered heart the duh aching of
which she could scarcely bear into an
exquisite conservatory where the air
was laden with the perfume Of rich
eNotics All the evening she had
striyen to avoid being alone with him.
She would staye off IL possible any
calling up Of the past; she shrunk
with a great dread from any reproach
for she had wronged him though
she wronged him to save what she
held perhaps yet dearer than his love.
And yet she had not dared to oppose
him when he asked her to sit where
the cool fountain was playing, apart
from the dancers, ont Of thp crowd IN