Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-03-10


it is better than disdain--or~-or dis
respect shall always teach him to
esteem you highly,-but think as
matters stand--if l relieve you of all
your responsibilities TO husband and
n--you-Clara!-- don't distress
yourself-theres no occasion for this
| -ClaLa--"
! For on sudden impulse she had
III ng herself at his feet in an ire
preSSible storm of passionate weeping,
XIII me, Harry she sobbed wildly
| clinging to him. Kill me! don't
speak to me like this!--don't leave
ne! Oh, my God. don't, don't despise
me so utterly! Hate me-curse me
strike me--do anything, but don't
leave me as If | We're some low thing,
unfit for your touch, Il know | am,
but oh, Harry! ..,.' She chung TO
HIM more closely, If you leave me
| will not live,-l cannot! Have you
NJ pity? Why would you throw me
back alone all alone, to die of your
contempt and my shame!"
And she bowed her head in an agony
OF tears.
He looked down upon her moment
in silence.
Your shame!" he murmured, My
! wife,
Then he raised her in his arms and
took her to his breast, as though she
we're some sick or wounded child, and
watched her as she lay there weeping,
her face hidden, her whole frame
trembling IN his embrace.
Poor SOUL" he whispered, more to
f,mself then to her. Poor frail
woman! Hush, hush, Clara! The
past is past! I'll make you no more
reproaches. Ii can't hurt you, be-
cause l once so loved you-but now
now,-what is there eft for me to do,
but to leave you? You'll be happier so
you'll have perfect liberty--you
needn't even think Of me-unless, per
haps, as one dead and buried long
ago"
She raised herself in his arms and
looked at him piteously.
Won't you give me n chance she
sobbed. Not one? If had but
known you better-if had understood
oh, I've been vile, wicked. deceitful--
but I'm not happy, Harry-l've never
been happy since ! wronged you!
Won't you give me one little hope that
l may win your love again, no, not
your love,--but your pity? Oh
Harry, have l lost all--all---'
Her voice broke-she could say no
more.
He stroked her hair gently You
speak on impulse just now, Clara he
said gravely yet tenierly. God for
bid that | should judge you harshly!
AS you wish it, will not leave you
yet. I'll wait. Whether we part oil
remain together, shall he decided by
your own actions, your own looks
your own words. You understand
Clara? You know my feelings. I'm
content for the present to place my
fate in your hands" He smiled rather
sadly. But, as for love, Clara
fear nothing can be done to warm
to life this poor cherished love OF ours
We can, perhaps, take hold of hands
and watch its corpse patiently together
ard say how sorry we are II is dead
such penitence comes always too late!
He sighed and put her gently away
from him.
She turned up her flushed tear
stained face to his.
"Will you kiss me, Harry? She
asked trembingly. He met her eyes,
and an exclamation that was almost
q oan broke from his lips. A sbudder
passed through his frame.
81 cant, Clara! can't-God for
give me.-Not yeti" And with that
he bowed his head and left her.
She listened to the echo OF his firm
footsteps "ying away, and creeping
guilty to a side door she opened ii
and watched yearningly his retreatins
figure till it had disappeared.
why did never love him till now?
she murmured sobbingly Now when
he despises mc--when he will not even
kiss me?---' She leaned against
the half open door In an attitude Of
utter detection, not caring to move
listening intently with vague nope
of hearing her husbands returning
tread A lighter step than his, how
ever, came suddenly along from the
other side OF the passage and startled
her a little--it was Ernest, looking
the picture Of boy.ah health and
beauty. He was Just going out for
his usual ride-he lifted his cap with
a pretty courtesy as he saw her, and
said
"Good-morning. mother"
She looked at him with new interest,
how handsome the lad was!-how
fl esh his face!-how joyously clear
those bright blue eyes OF his! He, on
his part, was moved by a novel sen
sation too-his mother,--his proud,
beautiful, careless mother had been
crying-he saw that at glance, and
his young heart beat faster when she
laid her white hand, sparkling all
over with rings, on his arm and drew
him closer TO her.
Are you going 10 the park she