Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-22
A Golden Heart.
BERTHA M. CLAY.
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BERTHA M. CLAY.

of life again. It was mystery TO her,
far above her apprehension, this sud
den coming OF death into the midst OF
life. this awful wrenching Of great
human tie She stood with weeping
eyes by her husbands dead body Was
this indeed the man who had loved her
with such lavish love? Where was the
light that had shone in his eyes for
her. where the kindly tender smile?
the grim, terrible mystery filled her
with awe and wonder. She had never
seen death before; It had been but an
empty word 10 her She bent down to
kiss the silent lips
II have been true to you, my dear In
thought word and deed" she said.
May we meet again in hGaven!"
The funeral Of Lord Rhysworth was
an event long remembered in the
county. There was not one present
whose heart did not go out in warmest
sympathy to the beautiful young
widow.
The Squire was deeply affected by
his old friends death.
who would have believed that |
should out live him." he said; and in
his heart he knew that, but for the
dead mans generosity and kindness,
he would NOT have been alive.
They buried him in the old family
vault, where all the Rhysworth's for
many generations had slept. When his
will was read 1t was found that he
left all that he could to his wife
Burbage Grange, with an income Of
five thousand per annum, which at her
death was to revert to his daughter
Kathleen together with large sum of
ready money and several valuable In
vestments, which made her wealthy
for life To his beloved daughter he
had already given Deerhurst Manor,
with two thousand per annum, the
money to accumulate until She attained
the age Of twenty-one.
DcCping Hurst, with It's revenues
went TO the next OF kin, Walter Irving
now Walter, Lord Rhysworth, who
Waa In India, where he had held an
ollirc under government. year at
least must elapsc before he could come
home; so he wrote to Lady Rhysworth,
asking her ms n great favor to remain
at Dcoping Hurst until he returned to
England.
Sickness and death had somewhat
scared Lola She did not care to go
near DecpIng Hurst. for the very
thought OF death was horrible to her
While the three months OF rigorous
mourning lasted, she wrote frequently
to Lady Rhysworth, being always very
careful to mention the fact that she
had just heard from Sir Karl, but she
made no attempt to visit her. Only
when the Doeping Hurst carriage had
been seen In town did she venture
near the place.
Dolores was pleased to see her. She
WAS young, and the long isolation had
begun to tell upon her, 1t was cheer
INK - sec II bright face and to hear
the sound of a laughing voice. Almost
her Grst words to Lola were an invl-
tntlon to the nursery to see baby
Kathloon and Miss de Ferras's first
r2mark was---
What a great pity, Lady Rhys-
worth II was not 4 boy"
Why great pity" asked the
young mother, roproachrully. Gould
nything be fairor or swceter than my
littlc Kathlecn?"
mo: bat boy would have sue
coedcd to his fathers estates, and you
need never have left pecping Hurst"
II would rather have my daughter"
said Dolores, claspng the child to her
breast, and Lola laughed
Sentiment Is delightful, but large
income Is better. Dolores, do you ever
think about the future? 1t seems
strange fate to have married so
we'll and to have lost
your husband so soon DO you ever
think Of the future? You have the
best part Of your life before you"
Il have not thought of it," answered
Dolores, in n clear. low voice; but her
lovely face flushed and her lips
tremhlcd. My only thoughts have
been of my loss and my sorrow ana
my beautiful baby. | have had neither
time nor inclination for anything
else"
But Lola, looking stcadfastly at her,
repeated
The best part nf your life lies be-
taro YOU. You are still very young,
Nou are beautiful and wealthy; You
have all the prestige without the
burden OF your husbands rank; and
Nou have only one child. say that
ynw future VIII be more brilliant II
yan choose to make 1t SO. than even
Your past has been
CHAPTER MI.
Fourteen months had elapsed since
tine master of Dceping Hurst was laid