Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-01-13

me--what is il? \ mere nothing--a
tritle to Taught at, 1t is not needlul
10 tell me OF such a small circum-
stance"
AS she spoke she smiled form.
seemed TO dilate with sort of inner
confidence and rapture.
Sir Francis stared at her half
shamed, half savage, The beautiful,
appealing face, bright with simple
trust, reused him to no sort of manly
respect or forbearance, the very touch
of the blossom white hand she had laid
SO innocently on his arm, stung his
passion as with lash---as he had said,
he was fond of hunting-he had chased
the unconscious deer all through the
summer, and now that it had turned
to bay with such pitiful mildness and
sweet pleading, why not draw the
knife across its slim throat without
mercy?
Really, Lady Errington!" he said At
last s;arcastically, your wifely enthu
siasm and confidence are Indeed
charming! But. unfortunately, the
proofs are all against you, Truth is
truth, however much you may wish to
blind your eyes to its manifestations,
l sincerely wish Sir Philip We're pres
ent to hear your eloquent praises OF
him, instead OF being where he most
undoubtedly is,--in the arms OF Violet
Verev
As he said these words she started
away from him and put her hands to
her ears rs though to shut out some
discordant sound her eyes glowed
feverishly. A cold shiver shook her
from head to foot.
"That is false--false!" she muttered
in a low, choked voice. How can you
how dare you?"
She ceased, and with n swaying be-
wildered movement, as though she
were blind she fell senselcss at his
feet.
In one second he was kneeling beside
her. He raised her head on his arm. -
he ga2ed eagerly on her fair, still fea-
lures, A dark contraction OF his
brows showed that his thoughts
were not altogether righteous ones.
Suddenly he laid her down agair
gently, and springing to the door
locked it. Returning, he once
more lifted her in a half-reclin
ing position, and encircling her with
and kissed hor. He was in no hurry
for her to recoverable looked very
beautiful she was helpless--she was
In his power. The silvery tingling OF
the clock on the mantel-piece striking
eleven startled him a little--he listen
ed painfully-he though he heard some
one trying the handle Of the door he
had locked. Again--again he kissed
those pale unconscious lips! Present
ly, slight shiver ran through her
frame she sighed and little moan
escaped her. Gradually, az warmth
and sensation returned to her, she folt
TIE pressure Of his embrace, and muir
| mured-
phillip! Darling, you have como
back earlier,-l thought"
Here she opened her eyes and met
those of Sir Francis, who was eagerly
bending over her. She uttered an ex-
, clamation OF alarm and strove to rise.
He held her still more closely.
"Thelma-dear dearest Thelma !
Let me comfort you,--let me tell you
I how much | love you!"
And before she devlned his intent, he
pressed his lips passionately on her
pale cheek. With a cry she tore her
self violently from his arms and
srrang to her feet, trembling in every
| limb.
"What--what is thls?" she exclaimed
wrathfully. Are you mad?"
And still weak and confused from
her recent attack OF fainting, she push
| ed back her hair from her brows and
regarded him with sort Of puzzled
horror.
He flushed deeply, and set his lips
hard
II dare say am" he answered, with
a bitter laugh; Gin fact know am !
You see, I've betrayed my miserable
secret. viii you forgive me. Lady
rrington-Thelma" He drew near
or to her, and his eyes darkened with
restrained passion. "Matchless beau
adorable woman, as you are!--
will YOU not pardon my crime, II crime
H. be--the crime Of loving you? For !
do love you!-Heaven only knows how
utterly and desperately"
She stood mute, white, rigid, with
that strange look OF horror frozen. as
1t were, upon her features. Embold-
ened by her silence. he approached and
caught her hand,-she wrenehed It
from his grasp and motioned him from
her with a gesture of such royal cor
tempt that he quailed before her. Al,
suddenly the flood gates OF her speech
were loosened the rising tide Of
burning Indignation that In It's force
had held her dumb and motionless,
now broke forth unrestrainedly.
20 Cod" she cried impetuously,
magnificent glory OF disdain flashing