Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-07-22
IE4]ELuMA,,.
Il Society Movel.
s'--~-. MARIE CoRELLL


stars, we're blazing upon him. Her
voice, clear as abel ringing In frosty
air, cut through the silence hike the
sweep of a sword-blade.
How dare you." she said, with a
wrathfu thrill in her low, intense
tones "HOw dare you come here TO
insult mel"
Insult her! He,--the Reverend Char
les Dyceworthy,- guilty OF
insult in offering honorable marriage
TO n mere farmer daughter He
could not believe his owE ears,-and In
his establishment he looked up at her,
Looking, he recoled and 5hrank into
himself, like convicted knave before
some queenly accuser. The whole
form of the girl seemed to dilate with
Indignation. From her proud mouth
arched like a bow, spr&ng barbed
arrows OF scorn that flew straightly
and struck home.
always | have guessed what you
wanted she went on In that deep, vi
brating tone which had such a rich
, culver of anger within 1t; but | never
thought you would She paused, and
n little Aisdainful laugh broke from her
| lips "You would make me your wife
me? You think me likely to accept
such an offer?" And she drew herself
up with n superb gesture, and regarded
him llxedly.
ooh. pride, pride!" murmured the
urab pshed Dyceworthy, recovering
from the momentary abasement into
which he had been thrown by her look
and maner. How It overcometh our
| natures and masteretE our spirits!
My dear, my dearest Froken.-I fear
you do not understand me! Yet 1t Is
, natural that you should not; you were
not prepared for the offer of my--my
affections, and he beamed all over
with benevolence,-"anC | can appre-
ciate a maidenly and becoming coy.
ness even though 1t assume the form
of repellnnt and unreasonable anger.
But take courage, my-my dear GIRL
our Lord forbid that should wantonly
play with the delicate emotions of
your heart! Poor little heart! does 1t
luttcr? and Mr.. Dyccworthy leered
sweetly II will give 1t time to recover
Itself! Yes, yes! n little time and
then you will put that pretty hand in
mine"-here he drew nearer to her,
and with ono kiss we will seal the
compact"
And he attempted to steal his arm
round her waist, but the girl sprang
back Indignantly, and pulling down a
thick branch of the clamberlng prickly
roses from the porch, held 1t in front
of her by way of protection Mr.. Dycc-
worthy laughed indulgently.
Very pretty very Pretty indeed" he
mildly observed cycling her as she
stood Mt bay barricaded by the roses.
quite picture! There, there! do not
he frightened, such shynoss Is very
natural! We will embrace In the Lord
another day! In tho meantime one
little word-~the word will suffice me,
yea, even one little smile, to show
mo that You understand my words, go
that You love me"-hore he claspe,,
his plump hands together in nabby
ecstacy even MS you Gre lovsi!"
Ills absurd attitude, the weak
knock-kneed manner In which his
clumsy legs seemed, from the force of
cheer sentiment. to bend under his
weighty body, and tho namely amatory
expression OF his puffy counterance,
would have excited most women to
laughter. and Tllelma WIS per fectly
conscious of his utterly ridiculous an
poarance, but she WAS too thoroughly
Indignant to take tho matter In n
humorous light
Love YOU" she exclaimed. with
movement of irropressible loathinr,
You must no mad! would rather die
than marry you!"
Mr.. DyCewowhy's face grew livid and
his little eyes sparkled viudictively,
but he restrained his inward rage, and
merely smiled, rubbing his hands
softly ono against the other.
Let us bo calm!" he said soothingly.
Whatever we do, let us be calm! Let
us not provoke ono another to wrath!
AbuNt XII lHlHSS, let us, Ill II spirit or
charity and patience, reason ont this
matter without undue excitement. MY
ears have most painfully heard your
last words, which, taken literally.
might mean that You reject my hon
orahle offer. The question is, do they
mean this? | cannot,-l will not be-
lievo that you would foolshly stand in
the way of your salvation, and he
shook his head with doleful gentleness
Moreover. FrokeE Thema, though It
sorely distresses me to speak of it
II Is my duty, rs n minister OF the
Lord, to remind you that an honest
marriage marriage OF virtue and
Responsibility such ms propose, is the
city way to restore your reputation.
which, alas! Is sorely damaged. and ="
Mr., Dyceworthy stopped abruptly. n
little alarmed. as she suddenly cast
aside her barrier of roses and advanced
toward him, her blue eyes blazing.
MY reputation!" she said haughtily
Who speaks of it,"
"0h dear, dear me- moaned the
ls.Ntt At.Nt. Al..z - ~.