Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-03-11

is hard to forgive me at once, perhaps;
out does the remorse, the anguish Of a
year, count for nothing, Esthers"
There is nothing to forgive" she
answered, with fine, sweet scorn. You
made your choiee--ahide by II and be
content. | have never blamed you. And
now farewell-we part here"
She turned into another street. He
STROBE after her, the unwholes, ONE pallor
deepening in his face
Esther would you have me think
that you have quite ceased to love me-"
Yes she replied, tlinging the words
back to him across her shoulder; II
have quite ceased to love youw
He stopped short in his tracks, Per-
haps he was uuprerared for So prompt
an admission
My heart is murdered-dead" she
continued, wildly. and the dead do
not live again this side OF the grave.
Why do YOU come here to revive past
which To me is full of intolerahle
agony"
Because, in your sorrow ami need,
you have flung some spell over mo
which | never felt before, Esther-he-
cause the struggle have had with my
pride and selfishness has doubled yea,
trebled, my passion for YOU"
Her fine lip curled again.
I'VE are observed" she said, coldly;
there are people coming this way
the mill operatives from the church"
He drew hor aside into the shadow
of the tall factories.
Your pride, then, has received an
incurable hurt?" he demanded you
can never love me again."
II can never love you again" she an
swered, and broke suddenly from him,
Just as two men, arm-in-arm, turned
into the narrow street and approached
the spot where the pair stood,
One was the blind rector Of st. Marks,
the other was a person much younger,
square shouldered, heavy limhed. with
a grave, speculative face and the bear
ing Of gentleman,
AT sight of Miss Saul and her elegant
companion this latter person stopped.
What it is Esther?" called out the
rector, with the preternatural instinct
peculiar to the blind.
GO" she whispered to Pole, and
made him cold bow, and advanced to
meet the newcomers,
Il thought you at home half hour
ago" said the rector. who have you
for company, my dear"
The blood rushed into her cheek.
Seeing this, the man with the specu-
lative face turned and looked after
Jasper Pole, who was strding off by
the river side.
"A person | once knew" she an
swered. will you take my arm and
relieve Mr.. Arbuckle? He has other
engagements, perhaps"
''Not at all" said the rector 81 have
asked him to dine with MS. Come. my
dear; | fear we are a little late"
They left the mills and the byways
and passing on to the better portion Of
the town. entered a trim garden, along
the borders of which few crocuses and
hyacinths were thrusting their heads
into the light.
Miss Saul opened the parsonage door,
and led the way into It's sober parlor,
Il smell the roast" said the rector:
don't keep us waiting with your toilet,
Essie-two unappreciative old bachelors
like Arbuckle and l."
She disappeared long enough to lay
aside her outer garments, and then re-
urned, looking like some severe antique,
in her deep mourning dress, with her
black hair waving off her low forehead,
and her face as ,olorless as Carrara
stone
My dear" sid the blind rector,
as the three sat dtyn to meat, i think
you forgot to mention the name of the
friend you met today
The blood burnt in her cheek,
His name is Pole, uncle" she an.
swered, in n constrained Jasper
Pole"
Up bounced the rector from his chair
"Polc! re roared; that weakling'
How dared he show himself here"
"Tncla!"
His very name is gall and worm
wood to me. A man who would ac-
,ept his release under such circum-
stances is little better than A villain"
Uncle, uncle!' she cried imperiously,
we are not alone!"
He passed his hand across his sight
ess eyes.
True. Pardon, my dear" And
hen, as II anxious to change the sub
ject. That opening anthem was well
lone this morning. Esse."
1T was indeed" said Mr.. Arbuckle
1 think Miss Saul must sleep and dream
% music; hear her piano far into the
night sometimes"
Il hope It does not disturb you
answered Miss Saul coidly.
Not at ALL" replied the owner OF
he riverside mills. II often stroll
Town to the rectors grounds, the better
o listen"
She lifted her handsome brows.
Uncle, know. finds II somewhat
rying. quite forgot you lived 50
iear."