Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-11-15
Asszxssn><ssalA as<ea<as

AAAON
She did not quite remember how the
/ next day passed. She was weak and
worn with the long struggle-the vi
bration between brightest joy and
deepest sorrow. She firmly believed
| that the resolve to do her duty lay
| deep in her heart. yet she must see
| him once more, tell him to wait pa
tiently, and bid him good-by.
They were very gentle to her on
this the Ia day she sICnt in her
fathers house. The squire went out to
dine, and Irene sat by her sofa, read
ing and talking the greater part of tde
afternoon.
AS the evening came on she grew
strangely restless; her face flushed,
then turned deadly pale. She hat
ed the deception, yet said to herself
it was for the last time; it was to end
all. The golden flush of the setting
sun faded out of the sky, the flowers
closed their dewy eyes, the birds with
folded wings called the wanderers
home to their nests, the south wind
died away IN sweet murmurs, when
the unhappy girl went out to her doom.
She kissed the sister who had watch
ed her all day. saying that she was
going out for a short time. and should
go straight to her room when she re-
turned.
Say goodnight to papa for me"
she said; "and, Irene, mind you come
and see me the last thing | shall not
sleep without"
AS Irene saw her then, she rem.
embered her for vars afterward.
Her dress of dark-blue silk, with it's
pretty trimmings of white lace-the
golden chain around her slender
throat-the golden bracelets on her
rounded arms-the tender smile on
her beautiful face.
Put on a cloak if you are going
into the gardens said Irene; the
evening air will be damp"
Then the door closed-and long
years passed before the sisters looked
upon each other again.
Sybil went hastily up into her own
room, and took from the wardrobe a
bonnet and a purple cloak. AS she
was going downstairs she met one of
the servants, who noticed her dress,
but made no comment upon it.
The south wind came whispering to
her; the dew lay thick upon the grass
and flowers as she walked with rapid
steps through the gardens, across the
park, and into Glynn Woods.
Was there no warning in the solemn
night skies, in the murmur of the
trees? The giant arms might have
been fugers appraised to warn her;
but she went on, resolved to do right
to say good-by to Lyster, and then
return.
He who reads all hearts knows she
had no other intention. She went
down the broad glades, trampling
the dew-laden grass and flowers under
foot, until she saw him.
He came forward to meet her with
a glad cry. She stayed him with her
upiifted hand
"Lyster," she said, Il am come to
tell you it cannot be. | must not leave
my father and Irene. So we must
part again; and, in time, in faith and
hope, it will all come right"
He gave little sigh thinking to
himself that he had all the weary way
of persuasion to go over again, swear
ing that she should not escape him.
He knew his own power over her.
He feigned submission; looked broken
hearted for a few minutes; then spoke
of bidding her farewell. Any one but
child must have seen through his
artitice He kissed her and caressed
her with all the passion he knew so
we'll how to feign. He called her by
every endearing name. He used such
loving words to her, that hec heart
thrilled as with sweetest music.
Then he spoke of what he would do
go abroad, and do the best to die there.
Life had no charm for him; and he
would not cause dissension between
her and those who loved her She
should not sacrifice home and wealth
for him.
He touched her there, and she broke
down, crying that he was her love, and
she would sacrifice the whole world
for him. Then she told him of the
sQuires resolve that they should travel
together; and Lyster Ayrton saw if he
did not win her that night she was
lost to him forever.
1t was a sad, pitiful story-the fair.
passionate child, so weak yet so
strong; so fond of him, yet so anxious
to do right. Little by little, long be-
fore she knew it herself, he saw that
she was giving way.
TO be continued