Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-25


not trust my love 10 forgive, 10 re-
member no more. to let the past be
buried. forgotten, as though II had
never beeng All. Glare, il would be
my hearts joy to be trusted-only
trusted"
II have wronged you so; | have
been so unjust, SO proudly cold. You
do not know all she murmured
brokenly. You have been so noble,
so patient; wish that | had known
you better, and tried to trust. to love
you. Lionel"
let all that pass. Darling, mine
was the fault; | closed myself in icy
reserve. forgetting that the deepest
love may not be guessed, at without
any outward signs-and YOU were so
young, my child
"Oh! no" she cried, quickly, with a
gasp "The fault was mine-there is
no excuse"
You are all unstrung and weary
now, my child" he said, and would
have put her in the low chair from
which he had risen; but she, resisted
that in her deep self humiliation-she
wanted only to kneel at his feet, just
to feel his saving presence, to know
that in the shelter of his arms was
protection and rest.
He gave way to her, himself sitting
down; and she knelt at his feet; clasp
ing her hands loosely together on his
knee. sometimes softly passing her
fingers over her wedding ring. with
a sorrowful, wistful action that went
to his very heart.
1T has been such long, bitter
struggle" she said, dropping her head.
Il have so often yearned to fall down
before you and meet your scorn. No,
| know now"-as he touched her hand
with quick entreaty-"that you would
not have scorned me-; but was too
proud and resentful. because of the
wrong | believed you had wrought
She paused the words had fallen
with difficulty from her white lips.
Lionel gently laid his hand upon her
head.
MY child. do not think of that now;
at another time, If it will ease your
heart to speak of the past, do So
but now now"
yes, yes-nowr' she answered. 81
want to tell you all" she went on.
1--WE met again; and with his presence
came back at first all the memories
of the olden time. He was not so
changed then. Oh, Lionel. what shall
| say? How shall | ask you to trust
me? But. indeed. there was no dis
loyalty in my soul-my will never
strayed from its duty-only this wild,
miserable heart chung so in its blind
ness to the only love it had known"
II do trust you my child Lionel
said, his voice very low and sup
pressed. "Clare, why will you try me
so bitterly?"
Because you must know me as |
am" sire answered again, almost
eagerly; then. relapsing into her old
way; but stroye only for duty,
Lionel, not for loves sake"
He turned little aside; but If there
was pain, there was no bitterness in
his gentle words.
"Well, well, who shall say it may
not be nobler to strive for bare duty
than for loye?"
In mute gratitude her soft lips half
timidly touched his hand. All! if she
had known but dimly the, treasures of
noble love held in this mans soul.
knowing what did" she said. II
could not-no. could not-tell you
that-that Rex Werner had sought re-
fuge, with me: | dared not beseech
your mercy for him; moreover" she
added, dropping her head down upon
his hand. ~ was so proud, Lionel,
and | feared you.'
He quickly drew in his breath, but
bent down and looked into the dark
eyes so heavily Swallowed.
But you will never fear me again,
Clare" he said, with an almost
trembling usefulness In his low,
sweet voice; never again? Say that
once, for my sake"
II shall never fear you. Lionel"
she answered softly, and there was
now a tender half smile on the beau
tiful sad face. my love shall try to
make atonement for the past"
CHAPTER XIV.
I'm The Sunshine OF True Love"
The mysterious restitution of Lady
Stanhope's diamonds was the theme
Of the day in ''society"-and even
out Of that charmed eircle-the gossip
of club and "five o'clock" A para
graph which went the rounds Of the
newspapers informed the public Of
the extraordinary circumstance; and,
no one being able to find another solu-
ton to the mystery, the highly ro-
mantle one Of repentant robber
found great favor with very young
ladies and very old ladies'; the middle
aged were more skeptical.
Lady Stanhope was repeatedly con-
graduated on the recovery Of her lost
jewels. but she had schooled herself
to meet such congratulations with
calm, graceful courtesy, never yolun-
teering any information about them.
Every one observed however, that