Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-08
/ Wo1nanAgainst Woman
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MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
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I IhF SOuAI 40 hC hahuCu IiS
diamonds to the other.
Yes; but you have not done
much, there are only three cups and
gold plate"
1T is like lions den. my good
Paul, SO closely guarded. l have
done my best. Now lead the way
! to the cart my arms are full"
What have you got there?" asked
Paul suspiciously, dimly seeing the
burden in the darkness.
"a woman!"
George, are you mad?"
mo; perfectly sane. Lead on"
"A woman! What are you going to
do with such burden on your
hands, A woman! What a fool"
Hold your tongue!" Kissed the
count, suddenly changing his tone;
beware how you talk to me. You
are forgetting yourself, Paul Ross"
There was change at once in
Paul's manner.
you surprised me-" he said hur-
riedly. cit is not like you. But let's
hurry; here is the cart"
The count wrapped the cloak round
the girl and together they placed
her in the bottom of the cart.
"Put this over your fine clothes,
George" said Paul, flinging his
companion smockfrock, "and draw
( this over your eyes, In case we meet
anyone on the road. We must say
we've just come back from Nestley
town; we've been to sell a COW. It's
market-day today, so that will an
swer well. But l don't expect we
shall be questioned"
The count slipped the loose blouse
over his evening dress and donned
the slouched hat Then both men
mounted the cart and drove slowly
cut Of their hiding-place to the
lonely country road that led through
deserted part to the abbey ruins,
while on the rough planks lay the
still form Of Roy Darrell's young
wife, ignorant of the misery in store
for her, wrapped in deep and dark
oblivion.
Roy, narl Of Darrell, woke early
Text morning A strange delight
full feeling filled his heart directly
his eyes opened. What was it?
Never in all his life had he expert
enced SO great happiness as seemed
to live within him now.
A vision Of a fair, pure, lovely face
rose to his mind and solved the
mystery 1t was love. Yes, love
had come to him-love for another,
and that other not the stately hand
some Valerie Ross, but this simple
low-botn wife, Lady Alice.
The memory of her girlist sweet
ness and manner of the night before,
her faltering lips and great, wonder
Gus, star-like eyes, made his heart
thrill with a tenderness that amazed
him.
Now he knew that he had never
loved Valerie. He had admired and
liked her-he had treasured her as
friend, but he had never loved till
now
True. he had thought Of making
her his wife, but his feelings had
been born rather OF admiration of
her beauty and the knowledge that
she would prove acceptable to his
mother.
For brief moment a vague pas
sion filled his heart for her, but it
had come from piqued pride and
J Justice, when his dead friend Eustace
Rivers, maligned Valerie to him and
lissuaded him from marrying her.
But all these feelings died down
now as he contrasted the two women
Everywhere he looked he seemed to
see the sweet, fair face OF his wife
heart sweled.
How beautiful she was last
night" was his thought as he hur-
riedly performed his toilet. mo
lady of the land could have been
more superb. There is blood in her
veins as blue as flows II any OAR
rell's-I know it: | am sure of it.
Oh, how cruel we have been! How |
have misjudged her. | have left her
all these months--negected unhappy
anu despised; but now-now-all
| SHdll De cuduSeu. J leel as III nedVy
cloud were rolled away from my
life. Sunshine IS everywhere, and
blue sky-V.ue as the glorious ra-
dance of her wonderful eyes
around me; but I must not startle
her. How do l know she will for
Give me-my poor sweet darling? |
will plead to her today This very
morning shall see me at her feet;
then, If she will forgive, we will go
away-away to Italy or some sunny
place-together, alone with our
love"
His valet scarcely knew his master,
he seemed so happy and changed.
He smiled and spoke cheerfully, AMI
locked like a man who tasted Joy
after long sorrow.
1T Is dark day, Mason" the earl
said, as he opened his letters.
Yes, my lord looks like a storm.
beg pardon, but l forgot, Here is
a note from my lady, your mother. :