Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-08-19

Magdalen.h
crossed the room and stood besid
my little sister at the window,
"Magdalen, don't you think moon
light much prettier than sunlight"
she said
Its influence is less healthy. 1t
breeds ghostly dreams and longings.
" There is a dangerous stiffness in
the hour:
A stiffness which leaves room for
the full soul
To open all itself, without the power
or calling wholly hack its self-con-
troll;
The silver light, which. hallowing tree
and tower
Sheds beauty and deep softness DER
the whole.
Breathes also to the heart, and Ger it
throws
A loving langour which is not re-
pose "
A handsome white hand was laid
lightly upon my shoulder. | turned
cold as ice.
How pretty! Where did you learn
that Alice?" said Dudley.
Perhaps Mr.. Vane will favor us by
reciting the whole poem from which
his very applicable extract was taken"
| said, haughtily,
He colored little, but laughed
mo, never had any inclination to
read the whole poem, and never did.
| went through it rapidly, dauntless
as a child in its Sunday clothes goes
through marsh, and snatches at the
violets and roses. They were just as
beautiful as though they had grown in
the mud, you know, Magdalen"
81 will not answer for your unsoiled
hands and garments" said, shaking
my head-"Roses grow plenteously in
safe places. Gather them there"
20, l do" he returned, lightly. Il
gather them everywhere never lose
an opportunity to pluck them
What do you do with them?"
Sometimes they prove unsound, or
wither, and throw ttem away. Ofte
they prick me with their thorns, until
lose all patience by day and all sleep
by night They are never lasting.
But l gather them, often breaking
down the tree and leaving it to die,
after | have robbed it."
you are selfish--you are cruel.
Dudley Vane."
True"
His naughty. handsome face!
stepped back into the shadows and
watched it. They made a pretty pic
ture. Alice, my sister, sitting on a
low, broad window-sill, her face up
raised to his, her curls falling in clus-
ters over the whiteness of her bare
shoulders and snowy dress, her little
hands locked closely on her lap.
dudley Vane so tall and proud and
graceful, standing near with the moon
light bathing his forehead, his brilliant
face fixed thoughtfully on her Both
so blessed in all that makes life sweet.
stepped further back into the sha-
dow. A moment more and I had stolen
out OF the room and lay sobbing IN
the cool, rank grass OF the garden,
Oh, Alice, my pretty child sister, why
cid leave you? Oh, Dudley Vane my
love never saved you from my re-
Yenge!
ooh, Magdalen, Magdalen,"
She crouched on the floor at NV feet
my poor, broken lily-the bloom of
her youth WASHED male with her toars
her sweet young lips a pitiful wreck
| put my hands on hnr bowed head.
ooh. take me to your heart Magda-
len"
Il can not, Alice, it would burn YOU
like fire. 1t is hot with passion, and
you love hate. I will kill him. Help
me, heavcn"
"Oh, Magdalen, loved him!"
Listen, child-and I loved him. !
love him now--so well that I will
never rest till he lies dead OF my great
love-
Sister, you frighten me! Your
face is dreadful Oh Magdalen,"
| nursed her for three weeks, and
then she died-lny murdered child.
Over her dead face I vowed vengeance
on her murderer, and henceforth my
life was devoted to one end-to find
the heart of Dudley Vane.
We met at last-a year after the
murder. I gave him my hand-the
murderer. He was white as death, and
trembled from head to foot.
Dudley" | said, smiling. Il want
to see You tonight. Will you Gomez"
ITO see mey"
"Yes. have something to tell you.
I am to have party tonight. Will
YOU be among my guests?"
II will, Magdalen. How is 1t that
you meet me in this way after what
has passed."
Il am woman, Dudley Vane, and
a woman's love will do much"
His eyes flashed In his pale face.
"Magdalen, is it possible that you
love me?"
so well that I will never rest till
I have found your heart!''
He almost crushed my hands in his
grasp.
MY Cleopatra"