Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-08-04


No, forget nothing; but l, none
the less, am angry. Why did you not
grasp Roy Darrell when you had your
chance? What fools nonsense was in
your head?"
What? Love" said Valerie quietly,
The man laughed again.
Pooh and bah. You, Valerie Ross.
stayed by love. No, no, my sister;
some other tale-not that"
1t is the truth nevertheless broke
in Valerie, her voice, broken, harsh
and agitated. Il loved EuStace Riv-
ers. All, you may shake your head.
You did not see; you were blind as
to what was going on in our little
cottage home in Everleigh, when
Eustace's regiment was quartered
near you little thought of the
dreams that came 70 me for one brief
moment of my great happiness
Alice sat motionless. She heard
the man strike a match against a
tree as if to light cigar.
IF had known it should have
ended it pretty SOON" he said quietly,
When | came to the castle"
said Valerie, you thought l did so to
please you. 1t was to follow Eustace.
| had grown Jealous; he was chang
ing toward me. Lady Darrell had
written often, pressing me for a visit,
so | embraced the oportunity. Roy
did at once what you prophesied he
woud-fell in love with me, but
was blind to it then. cared only
for Eustace. All my life was for
him. Roy haunted my footsteps, yet
gave him no encouragement. Then
Eustace and | quarrelled. pressed
for our marriage, he demurred again
and again, and a GOODNESS arose
between the two men over me. |
know not how, but-God forgive me
l believe now that Eustace ma
ligned me to his friend and that Roy
in his love for me resented the af-
front. But let that pass. | shall
never know the truth now, The day
before the murder Roy sought me,
begged for my love. He asked no
questions, but gave me two days TO
consider. I wanted no time; I was
bound to Eustace for ever. Then
then came his death, and then were
my eyes opened. I was no longer a
fool. I knew that what I hal
thought love was pastime to him
that | had thrown my hearts best
before the feet Of one unworthy"
"If you had contided in your bro
Their you would have known in good
time what class Of man was Eustace
Rivers but"
But l did not" answered Valerie,
and now let the past go, 1t is dead
and buried and with 1t my FOOLS
nonsense, as you cali it. You must be
quick or some one may see us, and
1t will do me no good to let the ser
wants observe me walking In the
early morning with questionable
looking scoundrel like you!"
"True sisterly affection, upon my
word. But you do not keep to the
truth. You do not mind the servants
you fear Roy Darrell. What would
he say to see you walking with a
man-a Observation-Disclosures scoun-
drel?"
paul, you are absurd! Do you
forget he"has a wife"
NO" answered Paul very slowly;
but I fancy you will be tempted TO do
so before long"
What do you want?" broke in
Valerie sharply. Money is scarce
with me; cannot keep on this CON
slant supply"
you have a good banker to go to
Roy"
PAUL"
"Well-well, Valerie, desperate
cases need desperate remedies. tell
you money I must have to get away
from here. Dalton is on my track.
Only fifty pounds"
"Only fifty pounds" repeated
Valerie in alarm. II have not half
that sum about me nor in my pos
session. 1t is impossible"
Twenty then"
Il will give you fifteen and that
will leave me just ten pounds to get
TO te end Of my visit"
1.-THE end OF your visit" laughed
the man scornfully, why If you play
your cards well you will visit here
forever"
Leave me alone to play my
cards" Valerie exclaimed passion
ately. Il wish you were separated
from me by worlds wish we might
never meet again. wish"
81 were dead-exactly," sneered the
other.
You have debased and degraded
me-" went on Valerie Il am alone
in the world but for you and you
are the very scourge Of my existence. =
Get me the fifty pounds and will
go, will leave you forever. Curse
it all the sum is a trife, You can get
It In a second II you will
You mean borrow It from Lady
Darrell? will not do It. Paul. She
would be surprised. might question
me, and that would never do. They
do not know 0. your existence-they
shall never know It II can prevent
II /.