Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-06-15
Continued.


The red light of the setting sun had
CLEANS on her dark velvet dress, on
her exquisite point lace, and fine, cost
ly gems. She looked regally proud,
haughty, and unbending- type or
an English aristocratiC maLron, true 10
her class, true to her order, intolerant
of any other. AS she stood in the
heart of the rosy light the door opened
and tls time the countess OF LansWell
was startled out OF her calm. There
entered the most beautiful girl she
had ever behed--talI, slender, grace
full, exquIsitely dressed, moving with
the most perfect grace and harmony;
her face like some grand, passionate
poem--a girl lovely as an douri, who
walked up to her with serene and
queenly calm, saying:
Lady Lanswell, ] am your sons
wife"
The countess, taken so entirely by
surprise, looked long and keenly into
that beautiful face--looted at the clear
bright eyes, so full of fire and passion
at the lovely, imperial mouth, and
the whole face so full Of tragedy and
beauty. then in II clear, distinct voice,
she answered.
my son has no wife"
Leone drew the glove from her left
hand. holding IL before my lady's eyes
"Will you look at my wedding-ring?'
she asked.
A scornful smile played round my la
dy's lips.
81 see ring" she said, but not a
weddlng-ring. There can be no we'd
ding-ring where there Is no marriage. y
DO you believe that marriages are
known in Heaven" Leone asked. DO
you believe that II n marriage had been
contracted In the presence of Heaven,
witnessed by the angels, do you sup
pose that n mere legal bubble can set
1t aside?"
"You choose your arguments badly,
said the countess. "lf you appeal to
Heaven, 80 can /. One of the great
est commandments given from there
says, Children, obey your parents.
My son Ia commanded by divine
voice to obey me, and forbid him to
marry until he Is of age"
"You have not the power" cried
Leone.
"You are mistaken, not only the
power Is mine, but have used 1t, The
foolish ceremony you choose to call
your marriage Is already set aside"
Leone drew one step nearer to her
with flashing eyes
you know that in your heart you
cannot believe It, You know that
am your sons wife. You have brought
the great strong arm of the law upon
me- You have taken from me my nus
bands name. Yet neither you, nor
any human power can make me less
hls wife. He married me-" she con-
tinued, her eyes flashing, her face flush
ing, "he married mo before God, and
| say that You cannot undo that mar
riage. defy you"
True, | cannot undo 1t. but the law
both can and has done SO. Half edit
Gated young ladies', who wish to make
such grand marriages should have
common sense first. No youth under
age like my son, can legally marry
without the consent OF his parents"
The flush faded from the beautiful
face. and gave place to white horror.
Leone looked at the countess
you do not surely think that mar
ried your son for any other reason ex~
cept that I loved him." she cried
Pray, believe that have never
troubled myself In the least to think OF
your motive" said my lady.
81 loved him, Lady I.answcll you
could never know TOW much. You are
proud and naughty; YOU love hum
dred things | loved but him. love
him with my whole heart and soul II
he cad been n peasant, instead of an
earl, being what he U.s. should have
loved him just the same
Lady lanswell's face darkened with
scorn
81 am willing to listen to anything
you may wish to say, but | beg OF
you leave all sudh nonsense as love
out Of the discussion You have prob
ably come to see me because YOU want
money. Let us como to the point at
once"
The pride that flushed the beautiful
face OF the girl startled the naughty
patrician who stood before her.
Money" cried Leone Il have never
hought OF money, do not under
dand. Why should want money
from your"
To do ner justice, the countess
shranl from the words.
II should suppose" she said. that
you Will require some provision made
for YOU, now that you are leaving my
SOM"
III was with difficulty that Leone
controlled herself. Her whole frame
tremhled with Indignation. Then the
color receded from her face and left
her white, silent and motionless.
i have been too hard" thought tho