Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-09-28
Continued.


to control the rapid beating OF hi
heart; then she turned suddenly, ant
once more they were face to face.
All, to sec the heaven OF delight ant
rapture that came over hers-the ligh
that came into her eyes; 1t was Of
though her fcce was suddenly trans
figured; all the past in that one mo-
ment OF rapture was forgouten, all the
treachery, the perfldy, the falsity.
She uttered one word, Lance bu'
1t was cry OF unutterable delight
Lance" she repeated, and then, with
all the light OF heaven still shining In
her face, she hid her face on his breast
She did not remember, she only
knew that It was the face OF her lost
lover. The same strong, tender arms
were clasped round her, the same warm
kisses were on her face, the same pas
sionate loving heart was beating near
her own. An, Heaven, how sweet that
ono moment was. TO die while 1t
LASTED, never TO leave the shelter OF
those dear arms again. She had waited
for him for years, and he had come at
last.
There were q few minutes OF silent,
rapturous greeting, and then, sud
denly, she remembered, and sprung
from him with low cry.
GLOW dare you?" she cried, II had
forgotten How dare your"
Then the sight OF the beloved face,
the dear eyes, the well-remembered
figure, took all the hot anger from her.
ooh, Lance Lance, ] ought not TO
speak to you or look at you. and yet
cannot help 1t. God help me, | can
not help It,"
He was down on his knees by her
side, clasplng her hands, the folds of
her dress, crying to her to pardon him:
thai he had no excuse to offer her; he
had been guilty beyond all guilt; that
neither In heaven nor on earth could
there bo any pardon for him; that he
would have died q hundred deaths
rather than have lost her.
For some minutes 1t was mad
whlrl OF passion, love and regret. She
was the first to collect herself, to say
TO him:
Lord Chnndos, you must not kneel
there; remember You have wife at
home"
sword IIe rose and. drawing n chair
for her stood by her aide.
~ am beside myself" he said, with
the pleasure OF seeing you again. For
give me, Leone; will not offend. Oh,
what can say to you? How can |
look upon your face and live?"
"You woro very cruel to mo and very
treacherous," sho said Your troach-
cry has spoiled my life, Oh Lance,
how could you be SO cruel to mo when
loved you so-how could your"
Tears that she had rerressed for
years raIned down her face, All the
bitter grief that she had held In ma
with an iron hand. all the pride so long
triumphant, all the pain and anguish,
and tho dosolatlon, that had been In
check, rushed over her. rs the tenn
pestuous waves OF the sea rush over
the rocks and sands.
How could you, lance" she cried,
lnging her hands: how could you?
You were cruel, though trusted you So
All, my love. my love, how could you -
The beautiful head fell forward In
tho very abandonment Of sorrow
Great sobs shook tho beautiful figure |
"Oh. Lance, | loved you so, believedN
In you as believed in Feaven.
loved you and trusted you, you forsook
me and deceived me. oh, my love, my
love!"
His face grew white and his strong
reproaches
Leone" he said, gently, every word
of yours Is n sword IN my heart Why
did do It? All me- why? | have no
word Of excuse for myself. not one.
might SAY that ! WAS under woman's
influences, but that would not excuse
me. take the whole blame, the whole
sin upon myself Can YOU ever for
give?"
She raised her face to HIS, all wet
with tears.
II ought not to forgive you," she
Salu, l ought w ullNe you lfoW my
presence; ought to curse you with my
ruined life, but cannot oh, IL only
lay Under he waIers of the mill
stream, dead
The passion OF her Srief was tcrr!h'c,
He forgot all and everything but her
the wife a. home, the plighted VOWS,
honor, truth, loyalty all and every
ting except the girl whom he had loved
with mad love, and her grief. lie
drew her to his breast, he kissed away
the shining tears; he kissed the
trembling tips
Leone YOU will drive me mad
Great God, what have done? real
i2e 1t now; had better have died.
and then the strength OF the strong
man gave way, and he wept like {
child. 1T is no excuse" he said, "tt
plead that | was young foolish ant
easily led. Oh, Leone, any only love
what was doing when | gave you III
when left you?"