Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-08


heard that you were going 10 marry
Lord Rhysworth. The sudden shock
startled me into discovering the truth
| found then that loved you so well
that to lose you would darken all my
life and make it almost worthless to
me. You were going to speak" he
added for she had looked up TO him
with parted lips and eyes, which asked
a question.
eyes. ] am wondering. II this be
true, why you chose the red rose in
preference to the white one on that
night at Beaulieu? 1t seemed to me as
though you made deliberate choice
between Lola and myself
The circumstance, all important to
her, had been Of so little moment to
him that he had almost forgotten 1t;
but now, as she referred to 1t, he
looked at her horror-strlcken
40 you mean to tell me. Dolores"
gave you the impression that liked
Lola better than you?"
II assure you it was 50" she an
swered Lola thought the same thing,
| know. ! have never doubted 1t until
now"
And now you know that 1t Is quite
untrue so far 49, ] remembe. The
circumstance. you had done some
thing that piqued me, and merely
took what | thought a little playful
revenge ! never dreamed that you
would magnify 1t into anything half
so serious. But 1t Ia too late to undo
the evil now"
YES" she replied, "far too late"
II am not the first man." he con-
tinued sadly, who has lost all chance
Of happiness from little caprice, or
from not knowing his own mind. If I
had not been so needless, all would
have been different. | must be CRATE
full, however, that | alone suffer and
that you are spared.
He looked keenly into her face AS
she spoke; but no sign OF emotion was
was there; 1t was grave and still,
II have found out my mistake now"
he resumed; "but IT Is too late to
remedy It, and must pay the penalty.
| am glad THAT ! have had the chance
OF telling You this. DO you think |
am doing night in going away?"
quite right she replied, firmly. Il
think It Is the only thing to do
"l'he one CLEAN of brightness about
1t will be your approval" he said.
THANK You for listening to me, and
thank You for coming here today, 1t
will be a sweet memory to me al
ways, that Of seeing You In my home. "
She looked up at him with a curious
expression on her face.
Promise me one thing" she said
that You will keep away from the
Black Pool.
Il will" he answered you do not
like the place, and we will forget 1t al
together, And you, Dolores, you who,
without loving me. are my only love
yon are not dispeascd that have told
happy in your future lfe there is no
one who could desire you happiness
more than do"
II am sure Of that, and | am CRATE
| ful to YOU" she said, gently.
You have no word Of comfort to
say To me- DolorcsH" he asked.
Yes, have. | think YOU noble
man; | appreciate from my very heart
the compliment you have paid me, and
wish You we'll"
Her voice faltered, and she turned
her pale, sweet face from him; some
thing in her manner struck him.
When she looked at him the pallor
OF death was on her face
Flush, Sir Karl you must re
member honor always! Never mind
what think or feel. | am Lord
Rhysworth's promised wife. YOU are
bidding me farewell; let no word pass
between us that either Will regret"
Hut he could not regain his COM
posture.
Il believe YOU care for me-" he per-
sisted III were sure that such was
the case, | would"
He stopped abruptly, for her hand
was laid upon his arm.
You Will not forget" she said.
that In few weeks | shall be Lord
Rhysworth's wife? IL am willing
to say farewell to you kindly: but
YOU must not speak to me in that way.
He was silent. She went on:
III have secret, Sir Karl you
must not try to force 1t from me; you
| must rcsnect II /"
Il WILL" he said brayely He knew
now that she loved him, but It mat
tered little, since the knowledge came
too late. His eyes fingered on her
face. 1t had never appeared 50
| beautiful to him; the secret she had
locked in her heart was all told there !;
she look was ON her face that only one
man ever brings to the face OF wo-
man, and that Is the man she loves.
She might try to hide II, but he could
read her secret.
Il think" she said gently, that |
must 80 back My father will wonder
NJ my long absence"
Dolores" he said--"forgise me II |