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


ally, with vivid flash OF his dark
gray eye and singular softness OF his
dice. His was nature not often
TIRED, but very deep and earnest; and
Fernand Wallace looked into his face
and wondered, with half smile, how
II would seem to feel things below the
mere surface depth.
He was very handsome, this Fern
and Wallace, with soft, treacherous
eyes, features like the Apollo Belvi-
dere, and lute-sweet voice; and Tom
Charlesworth, who read every one ac-
cording to the keynote OF his own
noble nature, loved him as II they had
been brothers.
"She's we'll enough" said Wallace,
debonaIrly. Nose a triiie too short
and the lips too full, but otherwise
what the world calls beautiful. SO
you're hard hit, my boy, eh?"
~ love her dearly" said Tom, IN
the quiet unimpassioned voice that
meant 80 much; land, God willing, /
will be good husband to her; ana
you had better remain to BIO my best
man, It's hardly worth while TO re-
turn to Exeter for three weeks"
"Well, perhaps you're right, old fell
low" said Fernand Wallace; but amy
one q trlne more observant than Tom
would have noticed that tho handsome
eyes evaded his gaze with strange sub
tlety.
DO you hear Elsie?" said Charles
worth, exultantly. "Fernand Will stay
to the wedding. knew we should per-
suade him!"
Elsle Mordaunt looked suddenly up
from the fancy-work with which she
was idlng mechanically, and some
thing Wild and piteous In her gaze ut
tracted even Tom Charlesworth's at
tention.
''Elsle, darling, are you ill?"
lIo was at her side In I'm instant,
with both hands In hers.
Elsie laughed, little hysterlcally
She was dnrk-eyed, brilliant little
brunette, with blue-black silky hair
growing low ON her forehead, and a
small, sensitive mouth like crimson
woodbury..
"No--what nonsense, Tom; I'm
well enough. Don't get any absurd
notions In your head"
The night before the wedding was
frosty and star-sprinkled, with u deli
pln ut. Pal r,f N Nf vttt IA n a1
ferns and fallen leaves; and Tom
Charlesworth strobe over the fields,
whistllng M he went, his heart brim-
ming with the strange, sweet sense OF
bliss that most lovers have felt once
In q lifetime.
The little room where Elsie was
wont to sit of an evening was dark,
and the window. looNing on border
Of gay colored dahlias, was open. Tom
leaned his elbow on the easement and
looked In.
He called, but there was no answer.
Elise was not there.
He went round to the orthodox en-
trance, feeling little disappointed he
scarcely knew why. Mrs. Mordaunt
met him In the hall. with q white,
scared face.
"Oh, Mr. Charesworth we were Just
going to send for you!" she cried,
ITO send for mot" Tom felt him
self blanched to the very roots of the
hair What has happened? Is Elsi6
iH?"
Mrs, Mordaunt's lips trembled, but
gave forth no sound, as she placed In
Charlesworth's hands note stained
with her own tears-a brief note writ
ell by Elsie:
Don't blame me. mamma, nor lot
him blame me, because couldn't helm
loving Fernand the best. Tell him not
to feel bad; for, indeed-indeed | was
not worthy Of his love, and he will b,
happier without me-~poor Toni"
And 1t was signed by the one word
Elsie
Charleswoth quietly gave her bach
the note, and, parting, walked fortl
into the starry silence Of the night
No eyes but those OF tho All-Seeinl
should witness the secret anguish O
his heart!
Mother thought you would come
sir, if--if you knew how poor she was
nd that father was dead. and
x burst OF tears checked the child'y
voice, as she stood, with 4 drooping
head and hands tightly clasped to.
gether, in Mr.. Charlesworthy's library
tho snow melting on her garments
and the crimson touch OF the cold
winter mir glowing feyerishly on he,
cheeks.
But, my child"and he looked a,
her with puzzled face---"you have