Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-29

The other girl drew rug over
the stone door ana crouched down on
ii TO set a little rest.
She burned with a fever of pain,
jealousy and shame, but her hands
were cold rs ice
AS she lay on the rug the memory
Of bygone days came to her-dim
visions of tiny house and shop In
crowded city where her mother
was busy all day,
She could barely remember her
father, though away In the misty
past she seemed to recall tall.
dark man who returned but seldom
to his home and always tossed her on
his shoulder and played with her
She knew now that no had been
a sailor and that he was dead. Then
years passed aud she could SEQ
palmer.
Her mother left the shop they
/, lived ina dtngy, dirty ocality,
Their lives were strange. Reused at
the dead Of night to admit men with
bundles and packages, she learned
To know them all, and rs she bios
somed from bud into lovely
flower, she grew to welcome one with
ilutter at her heart.
For George she had always q smile,
and In return she got many stolen
81 mpses OF happiness.
George admired her beauty. He
loved to deck her dark locks with
glittering Jewels, clothe her In silken
robes, and let her walk about the
dingy house like some beautiful star
caught in a pr son.
Myra loved this man with all tne
warmth and passion she inherited
from her Spanish father. Her
mother cared nothing about the In
timacy one way or another, except
that she let Myra amuse George.
1t kept him In a good temper. aud
he was man t, be feared and
fawned to.
He was tie most daring of the
whole gang. A gentleman by birth.
OF unexceptf; nal manners. he mingled
with the very people whose houses
he robbed
Myra was eighteen when abe iirst
realised what her mothers calling
was--the receiver OF stolen goods! II
did net shock her.
She had no knowledge of the sin
It washer companions had kept her
In the dark 30 long, merely 70 pre-
vent her talking; and when she knew
the truth she was Indifferent. George
was one OF them and what George
did was hallowed In her eyes
But there came a time when Myra's
dream was shattered.
George wearied Of her love; he
came less often: then no announced
that It was decided between Paul
Ross and himself that he should 10
to Italy. get introduced to Roy OAR
rell, become his friend and thus
rob Darrell castle OF Its world-famous
treasures,
The whole gang was ordered to the
abbey ruins.
Paul Ross knew them we'll, He had
lived In their mouldy vaults during
the whole time his sister was lux
uriously lodged at Lady Darrell's
guest.
With sullen sorrow Myra went
about her work.
George went Off to Italy, without
a word, and despair and grief had
eaten her heart nearly away when
the burning Are Of jealousy was added
to her burden, and transformed her
at once into woman full OF thoughts
OF vengeance.
Allce's fair loveliness was sight
that brought the flush Of agony to
her dark cheek. The knowledge that
George loved her was very sword
thrust into her bleeding heart, and
filled her eyes with unshed tears.
He means 10 take her with hlm!'
she thought bitterly as abe lay
crouched on the rug "What right has
she to come and push him from me2
He did love me once, but her fair
beauty blinds him TO me. What II
l"--she started, half raised herself on
her arm-"what II separate them
forever? She sleeps--a blow with
this" touching dagger that hung
On the wall. land eli would BIO
snded!"
She stretched out her hand. then
let It drop heavily with a shudder.
mo, no. She begged for pity. She
hates and fears him. promised |
would help her. but oh, my heart
IS broken! Why does Heaven let
such suffering come? II Is too much
too much!"
She burst INTO heavy fit OF tears,
hen buried her face In the cushions,
md, worn out with excitement and
atigue, sobbed herself TO sleep.
She was awakened early by her
mother The iaint morning light
'treamed in through a slit In the
vail. but the old woman held
.andle.
BE sharp: put on your thick coat
nd hat George Is waiting"
Myra staggered 10 her feet; she
'assed her hands over eyes swooleD
rom the bitter tears she had shed.