Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-04-27
Continued.


aM You hear me, Leone, 1t would
dot make me grow thin and pale, after
the fashion OF rejected lovers, but 1t
would kill me. DO not ask me 20
leave you an hour longer than ! need.
All, my love, yield; do not grieye me
with a hundred obstacles-not even
with one. Yield, and say you Will
agree to my plan"
There was no resisting the pleading
Of the handsome young face, the low
ing eyes, the tender words, the pas-
sionate kisses; she could not resist
them; 1t was 80 sweet to be loved so
we'll.
You must keep our secret from that
honest, stoid good uncle OF yours, '
said Lord Chandos, "or he Will think
himself bound to call and tell DR.. Her
vey. You promise me, then, Leone,
my love, to do what | ask, and to be
my own beloved wife, when the tire.
weeks are over?"
Eyes, | promise, Lance" she replied
Her voice was grave and sweet, her
beautiful face had on It, the light OF a
unu HODlc IONe.
"Thcn kiss me, ~ the children say
OF your own accord and let that kiss
be our betrothal."
She raised her lips to his for the
first time and kissed him.
"That IL our betrothal," he said;
now nothing can part us. Leone, |
waited for your promise to give you
this"
He opened n small jewel-case, and
took from 1t n diamond ring.
"ThIs Is what ladies call an engage
ment ring" he said; let me put It
on your finger"
She shrnnk back.
Lance" she said, edo you remember
the words Of the song,
"a ring in pledge he gave her,
And vows of love he spoke.
How strange that by this stream you
should offer me rlng!"
You seem to think there Is a fatal
ity in tho water, Leone" he said,
quietly.
IL have an idea that cannot ex
press, but 1t seems to me that story Is
told In the falling water"
"If the water tells of n golden bright
life, all happiness, with the most de-
voted and loving OF husbands, then 1t
may tell you M much M 1t likes. Lot
me put the ring on your finger, Leone"
She held out her hand such n beau
tiful hand. with II soft pink palm and
tnperng fingers Az he went to place
the ring on her finger 1t fell from his
hand into the water below. and Leone
uttered n low cry
ut liz not lost. he said; 1T has not
fallen into the stream 1t IA here"
Lookinl Gown, she saw the flash Of
the diamonds In the little pool that lay
between two stones. Lord Chandos
wiped 1t and dried It,
you will prize 1t all the more be-
cause 1t has been dipped In your fa-
vorite stream" he said. Give mo
your hand again, Leone; we shall have
better fortune this time"
llo placed the ring securely on her
finger, then kissed the white hand.
How angry you were with mo the
first time | kissed your hand, he said;
land now | have all your heart,
There will be neither broken VOWS nor
broken ring for us Leone, no mat
ter what the water sings or says"
Il hope not, says the girl, brightly.
"a shall take possession Of my lodg
ings at Oheton tomorrow" he said Il
shall have to spend some little time
there; but you must promise that |
shall see YOU every evening, Leone.
win you find your way to the mill
wheel? When we are married, | shall
try to buy the mill. the Stream, and
the land MI round It; 1t will be n sa
cred spot to me. In three weeks, Lo
one, YOU will be my wife"
'Ycs," she replied, in three weeks,
Tho wind fell, the ripple OF the green
leaves ceased, the birds had sung
themselves to sleep, only the water ran
lauGhingly on.
Lance, cried the girl, suddenly,
do you know what the water says
can you hear IT."
No" he replied, with n laugh, "tI
have not such vivid fancy ms YOU.
What does 1t say
Nothing but SORROW, nothing but
sorrow" she chantcd,
Il cannot hear that; il II says any
thing ut all 1t Is nothing but love,
nothing but love"
Anu then, as the shades OF nigh
we're coming on he saw her safely
home.
That same evening Loru Chandos
and Sir Frank Euston talked long to-
gother.
"Of course, said Sir Frank, IF you
put me on my honor. cannot speak,
but | beg Of YOU to stop and think"
Lord Chandos laughed; his hand
some face was flushed and eager.
"rhe man who hesitates IS lost" he
said AN the thinking IN the world
cannot alter matters, nor make me love
my darling less.
"rhere Is an old proyerb | should