Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-01-03

night here. Think, darling, before the
sun sets again you will be my wife!--
mine to shield from care, to surround
with love-"
Long afterward he remembered the
expression Of her face as she raised it
to his, the love and tenderness. They
we're standing in the prettiest spot in
the garden, in a tangled wilderness Of
laburnum and lilac trees; the golden
blossoms dropped over them; the tall
plumed lilacs bent their fragrant heads
proudly; round the trunks Of the trees
clung all the flowers nature loves-the
purple yiolets, mignonette, climbing
roses, and carnations. 1t was very
paradise Of sweets.
The flowers have seen their queen,
he said, laughingIy; "and | must see
that her majesty catches no cold. We
will say goodnight, sweet Sybil. Mind
you wake tomorrow fair and blooming
as the roses will. BY the way, what
has become of the presentiment?"
at has gone away" she replied.
But while / live, Rupert, | shall never
forget that terrible dream"
"Sybil," said Rupert, seriously, you
must promise me one thing. From to-
night you must Danish all gloomy
thoughts say farewell forever to all
sad memories; live for me and my
love! See, darling, we have a long
life before us! A mans most beautiful
dream could not imagine a fairer one
Lay your hand in mine, dear one;
promise me that from this time for
ward you will bury the past"
She chung to him, laying her bright
head on his breast.
Il promise she said. "AIl my life
shall prove to you my love!"
He clasped her in his arms, and even
as he did so he started for the figure
of man crossed the lawn, and went
toward the hall door
He made no remark, thinking it was
some one on business for the morrow.
The very thought of the day warmed
his heart.
II shall hardly know The Hide" he
said, with a mistress to rule it, King
Francis was right--a house without
ladies Is like garden without flowers.
| shall love my home so dearly, Sybil,
when you are in it,"
He had talked Of saying good
night" he did not wish to keep her
out lest she should take cold; but
when did lovers ever learn the word
"Farowell"? The golden cleaning had
given place to the dull, gray night; the
last bird had gone to rest when Sir Ru-
pert managed to say the word.
As she passed along the lawn she saw
one of the servants from the castle
90 up to him hurriedly. They stood
for some minutes talking earnestly.
As Sir Rupert had done before her she
thought 1t was sOms business Of the
glorious morrow.
She walked back slowly to the draw
ingroOm window. 1t seemed to her
that Il strange, deep hush had fallen
over everything; the summer air was
listening; the leaves had ceased to rus
tie in the wiud-a hush, such as comes
before Il storm.
His kisses were warm upon her lips,
the clasp Of his hand still chung to her
AS she opened the window and passed
from the still spring night into the
room she had left 50 lately
Irene stood there. and the gathering
darkness hid from Sybil the awful pal
Tor ON hor sisters face.
where is papa" she cried, her
clear, happy voice ringing on the quiet
air, If left him here"
"iIo is in the library" replied Irene,
and Sybil wondered why she spoke in
such n quiet whisper
81 will go to him." she said a. did
not half thank him for those superb
diamonds this morning; | will thank
him now"
Not now" said Irene; "he he is
busy Come to your room with me,
darling; | want you"
"uow strangely your voice sounds
here in the dark" said Sybil "Oh,
Irene on this, the last night in my old
home, | ought to 30 down on my
knees to ask your pardon for all my
faults win you be as good and kind
to me when | am Lady Dacre rs you
are now?"
For Heavens sake, hush!' said
Irene, hoarsely. Come to your room,
Sybil; | want you there"
She wondered at her sisters words,
and still moro ut the way in which she
hurried her through the hall and up
the grand staircase, She wondered at
the hush which had fallen over the
house, and onco-but it must have
been fancy-she thought she heard
shrill stiled cry from her maids room.
Then. in the brilliant light of her
own apartment, her eyes fell on
lrone's face-so awful in its pallor.
She turned to her eagerly
You look SO cold and in gister. LOT