Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-07-11
THE STRANGER.

Aithea Mearne and were bosom friends,
although she was an hcircss, with the re-
nowncd Mearne diamonds 10 set off her
bonny face, whereas my father was only
curnte In charge. and had half dozen
sisters and brothers.
But Althea coaxcd father to let me share
her governesses and masters, and whom
Sir Edwin gave grand ball to celebrate
her eighteenth birthday she insisted upon
my being present and managed, in her
own graceful way, TO give mo dress for
the occasion.
She was standing beside Sir Edwin, 70.
cciving her giicsts--n vision OF white lace
and flashing diamonds And, Ms they
passed her, people whispered:
"Ah, she Is wearing tho diamonds, and
they become her almost AZ well as they did
poor Lady Menrnc ~.
Tho men were all raving about her, but
It was easy enough to eco that Harry Brit.
tain 8 fate was sealed from the first mo
mcnt that he set eyes upon his old play
mate In all tho magniflccnco Of her ball
room array.
Harry owned the adjoining estate and
Il was an open secret that Sir Edwin was
anxious for n match between his daughter
and the young squire OF Brittnin's Rest.
He asked mo to dance that he might
have tho pleasure OF talking about her
Isn't she lovely Gwenp Thcrc--look
at her now. spinning round with that dirk
haired fellow the best dancer In the room
No wonder she doesn't curo much about
mel m u clumsy dancer--Ghf"
My aching fcct bore witness to the fact,
but shook my head.
"You do very we'll Harry BY the bye
who Is Althca's pnrtncrp"
willard brought him." no snid land.
ing mo triumphantly by tho sido of my
ohapcron. II say, Gwen, dye think she'd
give mo ono nowp"
watched Althca shake her hcad and
send him away looking SO downcnst that
felt out of patience with her and took
violent dislike to tho dark haired stranger
who stood smiling by her side.
1t must have been m hour later that
found myself Mono on tho deserted terrace
with my friend.
Come, Gwonny," shc said, "thc world
IL at supper, but wo have souls above icos
and champagne. have promised to show
Mr.. Wynno tho lake by moonlight, and
you must como with me"
just then Mr.. Wynnc, tho dark haired
stranger, camo up with u light wrap over
his arm and looked oddly disconnected ut
tho vision Of two white dresses instead OF
ono. IL was very awkward.
Gwen introduced me, still holding my
arm, and wo ran down the steps and
plunged into tho shrubbery walk that led
TO tho lake. Althca shivcred.
This IL too coric" she cried. "Gwcn,
shall Wa turn backY'
"No, no." Mr. Wynne mnrmurcd, bend.
ing over Althca. "Be merciful! | have
looked forward to this all tho evening
and since you promised to show mo tho
lake yourself.
II heard n footstcpi" she cried. "Somo
ono else bent on seeing tho lake perhaps
Lot IN walt and mnko up II party"
Footsteps? Nonscnsol" exclaimed Mr.
Wynnc, with an indoscribablc change In
his voice, You must DO mistaken Como
on, shy; como oni''
We were nearly ut tho end of tho pnth.
and CLEAN Of moonlight fcll full upon
his face all white and distorted from some
oycrpowerlng anxiety.
"Althcnl' cried. "'rnko caro! ITc"-
As l spoke dark figure Rlldod out OF
tho bushes, and a rough hand WINS laid on
my mouth.
"Stow that miss' 'Tnin't no good
a.tryinR to soroeoh. What two on ON,
Jimp Which IL tho lucky brdp'
Mr.. Wynne mndo some incohcront reply
lilo was restraining Althm with one hand
and fumbling awkwnrdly ovor tho clasp
OF tho necklace That flashed In tho moon.
light could hear her stiicd shricks and
seo her determined resistance and my
heart died within me ut the thought Of
whit might happen II tho Villains pm.
thence gave why
And whiln tho words were still on HIS
lips some ono tore his hands from her
white throat and dealt him u crashing
blow that stretched him. unconscious ut
h0r feet
IL was Harry Brittaini
run, Althca' RunN' no cried
My cnptor sprnng forward with growl
of rage, but Harry was ready for him and
Anthem and chung to oach other during
tho desperate struggle that cnsucd and
screamed for help until the frightened
guests ilocked down from the terrace above
Thoy found two men stretched On the
ground, one groaning with N leg doubled
beneath him, the other insrnsiblo
anu Hnrry was kncclinR beside Althcn,
putting back tho dishcvclrd hair with nn
almost womnnly touch and revealing tho
diamonds still sparkling on her neck
Tho police VERY Very ready to convince
Mr.. Willard that tho pleasant acquaintance
whom he Ind brought with him To- tho
ball at Mcarno Towers was mono other
than Herbert Symcs, the noted burglar.
and that tho whole thing from beginning
to end had boon u carefully devised
plant. And Althon was equally ready
to reconsider her opinion of Harry
"Ho cant dance she said, and no
can't mike pretty speeches, but ho has
risked his lifc for me, and love him
Gweni''- Forget Mo Not.
Railroad Wonders.
aN...s - n