Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-10
CHAPTER XXX.
The Thirtieth of June.


She did not grow impatient; the love
which sustained her. the hope that in
spired her was too sweet; her soul
seemed to be In a blissful, happy,
trance; no doubt, no fear, no present.
ment of coming disappointment
dimmed the radiance of those sunny
brows. He was coming fast as steam
could bring him; it did not matter if
he would not come yet, If more of the
sunny hours passed-even IL he de-
layed until even-tide, he would come
so sure as the sun shone in the blue
sky.
Noon passed One-two-t three
still she had never moved or stirred
Four and five struck, still the light had
not died from her eyes nor the smile
from her face; he would come; the
stars might fall from tho heaven, the
great earth upheave, the rivers rise,
the hills fall, night become day, dark
ness light, but he would come. Who
SO faithful, SO fond, so true? And at
five her maid came again; this time
she had a cup Of strong, fragrant
coffee, and Leone drank it eagerly. She
would wait for dinner; she expected
some one, and she would wait. Quick
ly enough she replaced the cup and re-
turned to her watch; he might have
come while she had the cup to her lips;
but, ali, no, no one had trodden on the
white acacia blossoms-they were UNI
crushed.
Perhaps the long watching had
wearicd her, or the warm glow of the
June afternoon fatigued her, or the
strong odor of the flowers reached her
brain. She looked at her watch; it
was after five. He would come, most
certainly; she knew that but she was
| tired, and Il great fearless sob rose to
her lips. Tho heat of the June sun was
growing less she leaned her head
against tho easement of the window,
and the white eyelids fell over the
dark, passionate, tender eyes. She was
dreaming, then: she heard the ripple
Of running water that sung as it ran,
and the words were:
"A ring in pledge gave her,
And VOWS of love we spoke
Those vows were all forgotten,
The ring asunder broke"
Over and over again the sweet. sad
words were repeated She was stand
ing on the brink OF the mill-stream
again her lovers kisses warm on ner
liEs, her lovers hands clasping hers.
All, Heaven, that tho dream could
have lasted or she never woke, A
bird woke her by rerehing on her
hand; perhaps he thought It was a lily,
and she started in alright. The bells
"ere ringing six; she had lost one
whole hour, yet Heaven had sent that
sleep In mercy; one hour of forgetful-
ness strengthened her for what she
had to suffer. She woke with start:
for one moment her brain was con-
fused between the dream and the
reality. Was it the ripple of the mill
stream, or was 1t the signing OF the
wind among the roses? She had slept
for an hour. Had he come? Had she
slept while he entered the garden7
Was he hiding in jest?
She rang the bell quickly as the
trembling hands would allow: and
when the pretty. coquettish maid an
swered 1t she asked had any one come,
had any one called: and tho answer
was. mo" Still she could not rest;
she looked through the rooms through
the garden; all, no, there were no
traces of any arrival-none.
Once more her watch at the window;
but the scene began to change There
was no longer tho golden glow over
land and water, no longer the golden
glare OF summers day, no longer the
sweet summers noise. and the loud,
! iublant songs OF the birds. A gray
tint was stealing over earth and sky;
the lilies were closing their white cups |;
the birds singing their vesper hymn
! longer shadows fell on the grass;
cooler winds stirred the roses. He
would come. The sky might pale, the
earth darken, the sun set, the flowers
sleep. but he would come. She would
let no doubt OF him enter her faithful
heart, Let the nialt shadow fall. the
sun of her love and her hope would still
keep light,
And then from sky and earth. from
clear river and green wood tho light al
day faded eight. nine and ten struck
the world grew dark and still-she
kept her watch unbroken II might be
night when he returned; but she would
hear the click of the gate and be there
to welcome.
To Be Continued
|