Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-11

! What dark long lashes framed her
eyes!
Last night he could see nothing
but Valerie the woman he loved !;
now his attention was turned on the
woman he had married.
Alice was unconscious Of his gaze,
! and when he moved his horse near to
her, and rectified some fault in her
re!ns she woke from her dreams with
start, and turned pale and cold.
Valerie noticed Roy's changed ex-
preston and jealousy burned in her
breast.
Come, Roy, Lord Radine is waving
to u.s. she exclaimed, and, he moving
to her side they put their horses to
the trot down the lane.
Alice felt choking sensation IN ner
| throat. Without another thought,
she wheeled her horse round and
cantered wildly in the opposite di-
rectton.
She had lost all control of her
feelings; sobs burst from her lips.
The poor young wife was utterly,
terribly unhappy.
| She knew not what to do OF where
' to go, but she felt that something
must end the torture she was endur-
ing, or she must die.
She cantered on, unheeding and
plunged In her thoughts till the
trembling of her horse caused her to
think of him, and as she came to a
/ - thinlrnE hn lnn-nnaJ hny ~,
and let him stand.
She must have ridden some dis
lance, for even to her, who knew the
country well fer miles around, having
walked 1t in the bygone days, this
place was strange.
She looked round at first in sur
prise; then, little alarmed, she be-
gan to feel weary from her agitation
and exercise, when the sound of
CHEEKY whistle was born to her ears,
and the next minute footstep rust
led over the dying leaves and tall,
well-built young man came towards
her.
He stopped amazed as he saw the
lovely girl on horseback, her golden
curls floating from their rough con-
tact with the wind in picturesque con-
fusion round her face and neck.
II beg you pardon; can help
your" he said suddenly, lifting his
hat.
Alice hesltated, then meeting his
frank, boyish face, she answered:
"If you will, please. l have lost
my way"
you are in the Abbey woods; we
are close to the ord abbey-the ruins
are just beyond those trees"
THE abbey!" exclaimed Alice in
surprise. II thought l was quite in
the opposite dlrection-they have
taken the wrong path"
you have become separated from
your friends?' asked the young man,
glancing again and again at her.
Yes"
"Well, perhaps can assist you. Do
you want to find the abbey?'
81 think | had better go there as
they will in all probability make their
way to it," replied Alice.
Let me lead your horse. May I in
troduce myself? l am Frank Meri-
dith at your service"
"And I-cal me Alice" said the
young countess quietly.
Mis- Alice! what pretty, quaint
name-so old-fashioned! Do you like
this part Of the country? am staying
down here with friends. | have been
shooting as you see, though the
sport is not good. Nothing seems
to live round the old abbey-even the
birds and insects desert 1t. 1t is
dead, indeed"
Alice listened to Meridith's easy
chatter quietly. Size agreed with nm
in his estimate OF the spot. Never
had she seen so weird and strange a
place, and as they came in full sight
OF the ruins she could not repress a
shudder which the young man
noticed.
Yes; Is 1t not dismal? 1t looks like
great grey ghost. I really don't
think should care to venture into
It's gloomy vaults even In broad day
light"
"Who owns It? asked Alice sud
denly
My friends did tell me- but I have
forgotten. I will ask them again
when so home. Now, Miss Alice,
shall leave you here alone, or will
my presence annoy you II l remain?"
"Oh, stay, please,' cried Alice,
her nerves unstrung still by the ter
rihle strain put on them at the time
of Eustaca Rivers murder perhaps
they will not be long"
II wonder II | shall see you again."
said Meredith after a pause, while he
stroked the horses neck; Il am stay
Ing here another fortnight"
You may, perhaps answered
Alice: she was drawn towards the
young man by his frank ways.
He seemed little more than boy to
her, though he numbered over twenty
years.
at seems 4 strange thing Tn soy