Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-09-13

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| guard, but this keen, proud-spirlted
! girl had indeed read his character like
an open book. a feeling Of shame FOR
| the moment cowed him; a sudden pal
| lor swept over his cruel face, and his
guilty eyes dropped to the floor again
But 1t was only for an instant; he
had come there to conquer Instead OF
being conquered.
with an effort he met her scornful
look with one of smiling defiance.
"You are possessed Of more pene-
tratlon, Miss Radcliffe, than | gave you
credit for" he said, moCkingly.
you own the imputation, then.
Thank you for being honest for once, "
retorted Pearle, sarcastically, before
no could go on.
IIo flushed angrily.
II will come to the point at once
he said, showing his teeth savageIy
like an angry dog. Il am the secret
enemy Of Richard Byrnholm and have
been for years. He did me a wrong
once that | vowed | would never for
give, and swore then that some day
| would be even with him"
"You doubtless refer to the prize
which he won from you when you were
Mt school together" Pearle again in
torrupted, instantly remembering what
Richard had told her regarding It,
and did he presume to boast Of his
success to you?" he demanded, an
angry flush suifusng his whole face.
"No, he did not boast Of 1t to me; he
was eXtolllng your virtues, and related
tho circumstance to prove how nobly
you had conquered your disappoint.
mcnt and voXatlOn, and still generous
~ accorded him your friendship"
"iIa! hal" 1t was a bitter, hooking
laugh.
where Is your manhood where
your sense of honor?" pearle cried.
her beautiful face all agow with in
dlgnatlon ana dlsdain. How litla
and moan the nature that could cherish
such petty spite toward one who
has ever been 80 generous and true
1t was n lawful race that you both ran,
If his powers were superior to yours
and he won the prize, why should you
desire revengo?"
"But he cheated me-he kept the
secret from me. | did not once think.
with 40 much hard work ms he would
have to do to keep up with the class.
that no would try. | viii not spare
him for It," he concluded with malice
cleaning from every feature.
Il do not believe you can mar his
character at u single point" Pearle re-
piled, bravcly; yet her eyes searched
his face eagerly, as If she was not quite
SO confident rs she expressed herself.
For reply, he drew from his inner
brcast-pockot package tied with
scarlet tape With tantalizing de-
liberation he carefully picked the hard
knot apart, a cruel smile curling his
lips tho while.
At last he handed pearle a little
book with morocco cover.
please to glance over the items
written in this book, he said, quietly
With fingers that tremblcd vlsibly,
and her heart sinking like dead
weight in her bosom she took 1t from
him and began to turn the leaves,
The words "prvato expenses" upon
the first page and written in the hand
she knew 80 we'll, rivetod her attention
How came you by this? What
right havo you to bring it to me?" she
demanded, Indignantly.
ut is no matter how came by It.
and have right to-save you If 4
can he returned, passionatcly.
Sho turned from him lmpQtlently
and her eye fell upon the words,
Family expenses at the Doyc-cote for
the quarter ending June 3lst fifty
pounds
A mist for minute blurred her
sight, and she caught her breath as III
vita suuucn pain.
EQmDly expenses at tho Dove-cote,
Whore WAS the Ooye-cotn, and what
family was residing there whose oX.
panso Richard nyruholm was derray-
Ing;
Rrushng the mist from her eyes. and
trying TO steady her quiycring nerves,
she looked further down the page
DRESS for Aricl Go; playthings
Tor Richie, CT; debts OF honor, $50,
machine for Ariel, els los etc.
With face like chalk, and a heart
from which every bright hope seemed
slipping away pearlc continued to turn
the leaves almost mechanically, read
I ing similar items all the way along.