Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-09

| press on the nth, and 1t VIII swing
round. have It safely--do you hear?
safely"
This went on over and over again
and as Lydia listened, something, she
head, when 1t seemed to her that
one OF the bed-curtains trembled, and
| that, in the gloom, hand was softly
drawing one back, that the sick mans
words might be more plainly heard.
CHAPTER XIV.
Looing again in the direction of the
hand, but telling herself that 1t was
fancy, Lydia sat down to wait anxi-
ously for me doctors return, while
Cape went on, talking more or less
incoherently.
you know | love YOU" he said,
softly. Misunderstanding you will &c
my wife. Let the world go Its own
way; what is 1t to us?"
| Lyda's head sunk lower, as the
tears of misery began to fall fast
"The treasure" he cried, suddenly
"IIa, ha, ha! Let me search for it
months years. They will never find
It, ! have 1t safely. Here. III tell
you"
| He beckoned with his finger as he
talked on rapidly; and as Lydia raised
her saddoned countenance, she saw
that he was gazing at vacancy, and
gcstcuatng with his free hand
Eyes, I'll tell YOU" he said. LET
the fools hunt. they'll never find 1t.
| We'll, why not? 1t Is mine. Look.
You count along here-do you see
one, eight six; now press In the key.
| There Is n spring. Press 1t home and
turn. The door opens, and there 1t Is.
| For you, dearest-thc jewels are all
your own"
AS he went on talking rapidly the
curtain moved softly again; and this
time Lydia felt that it was no trick
Of the light or wind, and, rising from
| her seat, she went softly round to the
other side Of the bed, took hold Of the
J curtain and swept II aside. to leave
Katrlne standing there in the faint
light shed by the shaded lamp.
what are you doing here?"
~ came to see If could help you. i"
and glided in like a thief, to hide
thore listening to his words. What
Is 1t you want to know? Was 1t to
hear him say he loved you?" whispered
Lydia, with her face fun of scorn.
II do not understand you"
you do understand. And 1t was
not for that You have heard him
whisper to you~-no. waste upon you-
loving words enough"
Really" suld Katrine, who had
recovered from her temporary con
fusion consequent upon the abrup,
discovery of her presence Surely. my
darling little Lydia is not Jealous
Jealous! or your" said Lydia
scornfully. mo: | am only sorry that
he should have been SO blind"
"ro your incompatible charms?
mo; to the character of the beauti
ful woman"
beautiful"
Eyes; beautiful woman whose char
acters"
How dare YOU" cried Katrine, and
she struck the brave girl a sharp blow
across the face with her open hand
Beautiful as you are corrupt and
cruel" said Lydia without wlncing.
Il have not been blind, | have seen
your efforts to lead him on to tempt
him into the belief that you loved him,
when your sole thought has hoeu of
the money that was to be his
1T Is false" cried Katrine.
1T IL true. would not stoor 10
watch you, but have seen enough to
know YOU Go back to your companion
tho man who plots and plans with
you to gain what you will never find.
and do not -"
''Do not what" cried Katrinc, with
a malignant look.
Lydia did not reply, but hurried back
to whore Capel was trying to raise
himself up. trembling the while, as
he ga2ed toward the window.
Look" he said harshly. There.
Don't stop, Katrine love. There is
danger, Don't stop now"
Katrine's face wore strange,
wnxen hue, rs she caught the sick
mans hand.
Tho painful position was brought to
m end by the coming of the doctors
katrlne's quick ear was the first To
give her warning OF their approach
and without another word she softly
left the room, stealing away so quietly
that when DR.. Heston entered usher
ing in the great physician. Lydia
hardly realized that she was alone.
still the same" said Or. Hcston
'Humph, yes, My dear madam, will
YOU permit me-"
Lydia looked piteously in his face
losing her sclf-command the while. as
Heston led her from the room and
closed the door; while MS she heard Il
locked on the inside. and the sound OF
the rings passing over the rod she
sunk down sohhing on the lou-skiu
rug, hurying her face in her hands
and ignorant Of the fact that she was
being watched