Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-01-18
CHAPTER ii.

They formed u striking group-the
ola squire, WIN MS gray mead ralsed III
wonder, his lace lull OIL pam, surprise
ana pleasure, all STRIVING Tor mastery
the young girl by his slue, whose tault-
less face mad grown perfectly colorles5
whose hands chung more closely 10 hel
fathers neck; and the eager, noble
looking man.
Twice the Squire had essayed to
speak, but each time his voice had died
away; the only sound that had come
from his lips had been the whispered
name OF dolores" Twice he mad
looked up with an eager excited ges-
ture, as though he would fain inter
rupt, but the fire and passion in the
other face had stricken HIM dumb.
Lord Rhysworth bent ever him.
"You must not think he said, that
take an unfair advantage. | speak
abruptly now; but the object of my
visit has been the dream Of my life. |
was thirty years OF age before | looked
with admiring eyes at amy woman 5
face, and then saw Dolores. She was
only child, but, oh, how loved her,
and now have loved her ever since.
She was only a child; but l vowed
then, that when she grew into woman
hood, she and no other should be my
wife | have watched her from year
to year, and have loved her with Il
deeper and deeper love as time went
on. Dolores" he cried, turning sud
denly to the beautiful, wondering girl,
"haye you never guessed how much |
loved you?"
NO" she answered, family.
Il wonder at that, for girls are quick
enough in such matters, There have
been times when have gone away half
mad from you, and have left you be-
cause | could no longer control my
love. Dolores, have you never tancied
it,"
IL have never even thought Of ii"
she answered.
"My beautiful love, you are fresh and
fair as the morning, your eyes beam
with the clear light Of youth and limo
ccnce, your lips have the bright smile
Of happy girlhood! 1t was hardly like
" that you would think Of II. Still |
have loved YOU so. | am not young,
Dolores; but many a man q half my
years has Il heart twice as Old My
eyes have sought no face save yours,
my heart no love but yours you have
/ hDNh wunInl tn toll
Won this for months past, but have
| lacked courage II is your fathers
trouble that forces 1t from nae now. |
come Of n race that knows no fear; but
| Ncmho for the word which has to
fall from your lips and which will
mean either life or death for mo!
Once moro he paused, unable to
speak The Squire looked upon the
beautiful, culorlCas face.
What do you say, Dolores" he
asked,
IL do not know what to say, papa; |
am hcwildcrcd," she answered.
Il have been too abrupt" cried
Lord RhysworIh. "Nolorcs, ! wish |
could pray to you; my prayers should
be so eloquent that Won could never re-
| fuse them. | will make YOU SO happy,
and viii live only for You, No Younger
man could give YOU the love, the caro-,
shall lavish on YOU Dolores Won will
he truly happy with me, | am sure, II
Won will but risk the trial"
"Nou are worry good" she answered.
But he saw that her lips were pale,
and that the words came with diff
Guilty.
II meant to be kind" he said, regret
| fully; "hut ! fear have been cruel, I
have been too abrupt, Dolores, you
must think the matter over. I will
take no answer vet neither Yes nor
No Think over it, Squire, will you
do the same And then, after 4 few
days YOU will write to mo, Dolores. |
do not wish to press my suit unduly,
my dear: but always remember that
your words will bring mo either life or
death"
"Whatcver happens, Lord Rhys-
worth" observer the Squire, 81 shall
never forget your goodness to me-
Never forget my love for your
daughter" was the reply, Use your
influences for me, Squire and YOU shall
he the happiest man in the world. Do
lorcs. II your heart says one word in
my favor. listen to 1t. | must SO now:
and when YOU have an answer for me
perhaps YOU will write"
Eyes" she returned, family. II will,
He took her white, cold hands in
his, raised them to his lips and
kissed them with passionate tender
ness. Then he whispered few words
to tho Squire and rotired,
Father and daughter sat for some
few minutes after his departure as
though they were turned to stone
Then. drawing her to him gently, the
old man said
What do YOU think of his lerd
ships proposal. Dolores Is II a favo'
from Heavnn@"
II cannot tell" she whispered.
To be Continued.