Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-03-08
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s Ay1GO|den Heart.
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ssI BERTHA M. CLAY.
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Observation-Disclosures
Continued.
BERTHA M. CLAY.

there" he said. "rhat leads into our
wood, where there Is IA sheet OF water
about which there are many strange
stories. 1t is called the Black Pool,
Would you like to see lt?'
"Yes, very much she replied; and
they went through the woodland un-
IT,. they reached the water.
For years afterward the scene
haunted Dolores the black silent
water, shaded by somber-looknB trees
not n sign OF life near 1t, mysterious,
weird.
If you throw a stone into IT, said
Sir Karl. sniting the action to the
word, 1T seems to make no sound, and
scarcely to cause ripple. He turned
away with a shudder. at Is enough to
make one melancholy. Come away
from It, Miss Cliefden."
A curious sensation, for which she
could hardly have accounted, took pos
session o. Dolores 1t seemed to her
ms though this Black Pool had sud
denly become part Of her life, as
though she had seen II before and
should see It again "A curious feeling
that made her SILVER, turn cold, and
feel faint.
DO come away Miss Cliefden," he
implored.
He had walked on few steps and
Dolores. still with that strange feel
ing strong upon her. rejolned him. He
spoke without looking at her.
~ must have this place altered" he
said "rhGre Ii disused coal-mine
near here. It has long been closed,
and almost all traces OF 1t have been
removed but once there was ter
rlbe explosion. and since then the
ground about here has never been
quite safe. There are deep, TEACHER
GUS holes which, II man fell into, he
must meet the most horrible of deaths.
Some OF the openings have been filled
up: others are terribly dangerous, as
they are hidden by long grass and can
not be seen Some whore about here,
or at the other side of the pool, Ii the
mouth of what was once the shaft. ]
have never seen It, but ] am told II
Is a terrible place When have time,
all this shall be attended TO, should
like to change the pool into pleasant
lake, and this place which Ia really
bcautlful--into a plcasaunco. 1t would
be a great Improvement would IL not?'
Yes" she answered, 1T would be
very much better Let us get away
from the pool" she added, hastily; ut
makes me melancholy" and In ST.
lence they walked on, side by side.
They went then to n little wooden
edifce situated on an emlncnce from
which they could see one Of the pref
test landscapes In England. Dolores
uttered cry of delight. Sir Karl
smiled,
Il have different spots for different
dream | come to this place. Somo OF
my pleasantcst thoughts have come to
me here" sudden pause seized him
which he could not control, "rhe
dream of my life the sweetest, the
brightest is realized when see you
standing here In my ravorIto haunt"
She shrunk from him with some
thing OF distress In her face. She
must not listen to such words now
hut, II he had said them weeks ago,
how different life would have been!
She looked half-longlngly ut the path
they had left. He caught the glance,
and said quickly
May do not hurry! ! will not say
one word to distress you We shall
never, in all probability, stand here
together again. DO not take from me
the only CLEAN of happiness that can
ever reach me,
A great fear came over her AS to
what he meant, as to what he was go
ing to do, He had said before tina;
they would never be there together
again, Fear oVercame prudence; she
turned and looked him straight In the
face,
What do You mean, Sir Karl We
shall be neighbUrs Why do you say
that We shall never meet here again."
Perhaps It will be better for me to
ten you" he replied "WIll YOU let me
EXPLAIN"
She bowed her head in silent assent.
THE reason why say that we shall
probably not meet again, Is that | am
HothS away lloIi ISuult, anu lnt
time OF my return Is uncertain. II may
be never"
The sweet face of the girl by his side
grew palcr. and her lips trembled, but
she spoke no word.
Il could not remain here" he went
On, with a tremor In his voice, land
hear all that | should have to hear.
Let me tell you why I am going. will
you? will not say word to dis
please you; but the confession will
ease my heart. await your consent"
She gave 1t In the same fashion as
before, with bend Of her graceful
head
You will always remember, Dolores
--yon will let me call you Dolores this
ence? that, In telling you. asked for
no response, for no opinion. that
sought to win from you not even one
thought that belongs to another You
will acquit me Of any intention OF the