Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-06-22

| could not. TO have done so would
have been to have deprived him not
only Of all position, but to have In
Cured disgrace. To have refused a
favor so royalty bestowed would have
been an act OF ingratitude which would
have deprived him OF court favor for
life.
He must go; and when the first pain
was over, he said to himself 1T was,
perhaps, the best thing that could have
happened. He could not have borne
to know that Leone was near him, yet
not see or speak to her.
1t was all for the best, painful as
1t was. II for these long months they
must be parted, 1t was better for him
himself mt home. He loved Leone so
well that he knew his love would have
| broken down the barriers Whidh the
law had placed between them. He
would go to River View and, let 1t
pain him as 1t would, he would tell
her all, he would leave her as happy
as was possible under The circum-
stances. He would stay away until the
time was over; then, the very day he
came of age, he would return and re-
marry her He laughed to scorn his
mothers prophecy. He prove untrue
to his darling! The heavens must fall
first. Not for him the millwheel sto-
ry-not for him the broken ring.
How happy they would be, then,
when the time had passed and he could
introduce Leone as his beloved wife
to the whole world. He would try
and think of that time without dwell
Ing more than he could help on the
wretched present. He went home to
River View, but the first glance at
Ieone's face told him that she knew
all.
1t was not so much that the beauty
had gone from 1t, that the beautiful
eyes were dim with long, passionate
weeping, or that the lips trembled as
she tried to smile. Her whole face
had changed so completely; its tragic
intensity, the power of its despair,
ovcrmastered him.
Lord (Chandos casped her in his
arms, and covered the sad young face
with kisses and tears.
MY darling" te said, you know
ALL | can SEQ you know all"
The ring Of happy music had quite
died from her voice--he hardly recog-
ni2ed 1t.
Yes" she answered him, IL know
ALL"
MY darling" he cried, ut Is not my
fault. You wul think | ought to have
known 1t; but | swear to Heaven that
| never even thought or suspected 1t.
| would rather have been dead than
have put you in false position, Le-
ono-you know that"
She laid her fair arms on his neck,
and hid her white face on his breast.
Il am sure OF 1t" she said, gently;
II have never thought of hat; | know
that YOU intended to make me your
wife"
$50 you are my wife, let who will
say to the contrary-you are my be-
loved revered, honored wife, Leone.
Why, my darling, all the strength has
LEFT you! Look up, Leone. They
have done the worst they can do, and
What is 1t? They have parted us for
Il few months. When the parting is
ended we shall be together for life"
She frightened the clasp of her fair
arms around his neck.
IL know; | have faith in you, but
1t Is so hard to bear, Lance. We We're
so happy, and you were all the world
to me. How shall live through the
long months to come? Lance per-
haps you will be angry with mel
nave done something that perhaps you
will not like"
THAT would not be possible, Leone.
| must always like everything you do.
Why, my draling, how you tremble!
Sit down, there is nothing in all the
world to fear"
mo; let me tell you what nave
to say with my head here on your
breast. You must not be angry with
| me, Lance. w men nuu seen MT.
Sewell, felt that could not bear 1t.
went down to Cawdor and saw Lady
| lanswell.'
lie started WITH surprise. She
raised her face to his, longing to see
II he were angry, yet half afraid.
You went to Cawdor to see my
mother" he repeated, My darling. 1t
was a strong measure. What did she
say or do9"
You are not angry WITH me for 1t,
lance" she asked, gently.
Il angry. my darling No, thou
sand times no. could not be angry
with you. Why did YOU go-for what
purpose?"
81 went to ask her to have pity on
us, not to enforce this cruel sentence;
to be pitiful to me, because love you
SO yearly
And tier answer asked Lord
/ Chandos, eagerly.
Her answer was everything that