Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-02
All the World to Her.


music that must endure for two years.
But this you must promise; this song
you will not sing again to any one.
1t shall be kept sacred to the memory
of this hour"
Il will promise, Edgar. Neither this
nor the Welcome Greeting will | sing
again, until to you," answered Caro-
line.
Then turning to the piano, she began
her song. Her soul was in her tones;
and when she ceased and turned 10
her lover, he exclaimed:
Beautiful beautiful! But good-by
The time of my going is very near.
must hasten"
She put forth her hand; he caugh.
it, and drew her to his bosom. AS he
released her, a bracelet caught on his
button and broke.
The little charms-cross, heart and
anchor-that were attached to it separ-
ated; the cross still hanging to the
button, the others falling at Caroline's
feet
"Oh, Edgar! This is an omen of COM
ing evil! Your gift thus broken and
at such time!"
Nonsense! At your feet behold my
heart and hope. On my bosom lies our
faith. Here, put a piece of ribbon or
something in this little cross. and |
will wear it until We meet again
Before two years had passed there
came great financial crisis, in which
many of the wealthiest fell-Caroline
Ainsworth's father among the rest.
She had fortune in her voice, and
cheerfully, hopefully she went to work.
And then how eagerly she watched for
the coming of Edgar's letter of sym
pathy, encouragement. The letter
came-the cold, cruel letter. which
for time swept faith ana hope from
her mind and heart.
Business still retaining him III
Europe, he should not return to the
states for the present; and as of
course her plans for the future would
not agree with him it would be better,
and no sloubt also agreeable to her, to
be free.
You are free" were the only words
Caroline wrote in reply.
Seven years winged their flight since
she had parted with Edgar Rose
veldt She had heard nothing of him
since about six months after the re-
ceipt of his letter. Then she was told
he was coming home to marry Miss
Erving.
After night of more than usual
success, she sat the next day surround
ed with the tokens of her listeners
appreciation.
Her thoughts flew back to the time
when she sang simple ballads and
watched for The look OF admiration
with more eagernesS and hailed its
coming with more qualification than
since she had from the multitude.
How near was last night to sing
ing the Welcome Greeting! | could
with difficulty restrain myself My
heart seemed filled with that | have
not though of 1t since that night. |
think if | had sung it there might
have been found the wanting tone.
They say | am cold-there is no love
in my voice"
A knock at the door announced the
coming of some one, and in answer to
her permission to come in" waiter
presented himself and said, handing
the envelope, THE bearer is waiting"
"Oh! | am tired of these baubles,
she said, as he pressed in her fingers
the envelope, which contained an offer
ing of some kind she knew
The pressure made the impression
not of a ring, on the paper in which
it was inclosed, but cross. AS Caro-
lines eye detected that, she opened
the sealed paper, and the little golden
cross, wrapped with her own hair, was
in her hand.
Your promise! DO you remember?
The messenger will direct you was
written TREMENDOUSLY and irregularly,
but she knew the hand.
Bring the bearer to me immediate
ly, Jean, and order my carriage"
Tell me, my good woman. Inc
gentleman-is he ill?"
The messenger could speak but IL
tie English, and Caroline, repeating
her inquiry in French, learned that
the woman had been sent by gentle
man who was i'll. perhaps dying.
After half hours drive the carriage
stopped before a lodging house in the
Rue de Riyol,
The woman preceded Caroline in
and up long flights Of stairs until they
reached door, opening which eau
tiously, she stepped in in an instant.
Returning, she whispered: Come in.
He was sleeping-the miserable
wreck of the once handsome Edgar
Roseyeldt. Gazing on the form of his,
once so noble looking, now so worn,
Caroline's heart filled with pity. All
the past was forgiven.
The eagerness of her intense gaze
must have aroused the sleeper. He
slowly opened his eyes and met hers.
True to your promise. he muir