Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-12-23
ing his hands on the arms of his

kept saying to himself between his
i teeth, and thus kept silent until they
had gone and he was left alone. Then
ne rose from his chair and. walking
up and down the room. little by little
he thought it out
Il trust her" he said to himself.
and l viii try her, and take care of
her at any cost. My poor darling. may
the lesson not be too hard one. /
viii wait and see
Eleven o'clock Christmas night.
The house is biaze Of light. At one
end of the hall a giant Xmas tree has
g!immered and shone and borne its
fruit OF lights and gifts for young and
old AT the other end stage has been
erected wreathed In holly and Xmas
green's, Mrs. Robinson in her best vel
vet and diamonds occupies a front
seat
Down III front are Tom Cary and
Dick Townsend, both of them watch
ful, one eager and defiant, the other
curious and cynical but behind them
and to the right, where he can see
them and stll be in full view of the
stage, stands John Randolph with his
heart in his mouth He. too, is watch
ing, Suddenly the curtain goes up.
There is hush and then a murmur,
Through falling snow a snow maiden
gldes, She is crowned in red roses
and there are roses in her hands, and
her gown is soft rs clouds and snow
flakes. Like a snowflake she dances,
surely nothing was ever half so grace
full, so dainty, so poetic as that dance.
John Randolph looks at his wife, the
love of his youth and manhood. and
prays that he may trust her Us he al
ways has. The dance comes to an
end. She holds her roses STILL not
one has dropped. He looks at Cary,
who is watching her eagerly intensely.
The SHOW still falls upon his snow
maiden Pure as the snow. as the
the snow he whispers to his beating
heart The curtain begins to descend.
when, Oh, no! but yesl All, yesl Oh
God yes. With a little frightened
glance at Cary his wife has dropped
a rose.
Midnight--on terrace near the river.
John Randolph has been waiting
near the doorway of the little stone
pavilion. He is concealed in shadow
which the brilliant moonlight casts
upon the snow. He has been there for
half an hour. and his heart is as cold
as the winter night VIII she come?
VIII she really Gomez" His wife,
wife, his own love? Not to her harm,
, for he is there to protect her: but to
her sorrow and life long regret, OF
that he is sadly sureif indeed she
fcrgets her best self so far. 1t must
; be time. He counts the minutes as
they pass. Yes! There is Cary. He Is
coming up me path at quick pace,
whistlng under his breath But he
stops short when Randolph faces him.
and he has no time for answering
questions or for any parley, for Ran
r dolph sees the CLEAN of white CLOAK
/ between the dark trees and with one
blow he stretches Cary unconscious In
, the shadow at his feet.
He Is just in time, for as his wife
comes in by the other door OF the little
house he enters quietly and faces her.
! The place Ia filled with the dllfused
l light of the declining moon. Randolph
g turns his back to the window and
= looks from the shadow upon his wife.
She is dressed in white as for the
$ dance, and a heavy cloak is about her.
Is She throws back her hood and lifts
S her face, but her eyes droop under
d their heavy lids and her lips tremble.
Il have come" she said, but only
y because | promised
n No answer
y 1T only seemed amusing. and now
q II seems 50 wrong. ] am very I'M
happy (weeplng). Let me go"
j. Silence.
l. still not a word. Oh, don't be so
g cruel! | am here to keep my promise.
! You have accused me of every I'M
y Kindness said ] was coquette and
only wanted admiration. 1t Is true
did, but | am sorry, and / want to
d be your friend, and am here TO prove
"a | meant no harm. Oh, Mr.. Cary, Y
, 'Nt'' ~ pF'b my - iNih9Hlpt DIbNt W
n me your generosity. You will mott
Then | must 20. Try to forgive me-"
. Her voice breaks and sho turns
q trembling TO leave the room, when
g suddenly she feels two arms about
$ her, and. turning, she looks into her
r. husbands face
y Oh, jack" she cries. "oh, Jack. it
is You Thank God, It is you! Oh,
take care of mo-forglve met" She
sinks and would have fallen but for
, his clasp.
Dear heart he whispers. Il over
heard them talking. It was a trap
D. a trick am here, and always shall
u be, TO take care Of you"
But where Is he. Mr. Cary7 You
overheard "
Yes, and | waited for him Tho