Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-09-25

| would have died 10 save her, but
neither my death nor my lie could
do that. You must pardon NE that
cannot speak OF these things without
they choke me.
The window was open, and, going
TO il, she stood Ior a lew moments
looking out; then she returned quietly
to her seat. He was not without re
greet that her story had come 10 his
knowledge too late; he would like to
have saved this girls mother from
going under, and it would have been
so easy for his own father had been
a saving man. and the son was able
to keep good hunters without Grip
ping his estate
But there was still the girl, and he
looked critically at her handsome
dress it looked new, so perhaps he
guessed that it had been purchased
with view to this particular inter
view, People do not come threadbare
to repudiate property.
Il am extremely sorry to hear this;
| wish l had known it earlier. AS re-
CARDS your refusal of Narn, am more
in the dark than ever"
This was not so true as it sounded,
but she was urged to full confession.
Now it is too late, the tide has
turned. ! have pupils to teach and
orders to execute; it means hard
work, and for that l am thankful"
But You might work hard at Nam,
couli not imagine any place better
suited to an artist. 1t is only few
miles away; may l not take you to
see it,"
Never. it is enough to be there in
dreams, as l so often am. In those
dreams she is not dead but living
coming back to health and strength
in the old house that I shall never see.
To so there without her, and to re
member in it the want in which she
died, would he too bitter. l could no.
bear it,
And yet the place is worth a visit
At this time of year the little valley
below Narn is all gold, and a tiny
river threads it like silver"
Il have no further need of gold, and
the river would only flash my own
loneliness back to me-
"Narn stands high, and sees the
sun long after the valley has bid it
, good night
Tho Narn sun would only dazzle
my eyes until they ached; | should
be longing for the night
There is rose garden nestled into
the shelter of the hill; the cottage is
covered with roses, too, so that you
may gather them from the open
window"
These things are not for me; don t
you see that to work for my daily
bread is the only soace left me? If
| once dropped the threads | should
never pick them up again"
Now, he knew well enough that
there was method in her madness,
and that hard necessary work might
be the only tonic for her state. But
there was Narn, and he was a lawyer
and not an artist, although he had
|
Then what do you intend doing? /
must warn you that any property,
however small brings some response
bility with it.
q know; that is why | am here to-
! day There is seedtime and harvest
that must not be nes.ected. | know
nothing about these things, but you do,
and you are next of kim although re-
motely so"
A sudden light flashed into his
face, which might have been greed
for much can easily do with more. He
had certainly no wish to see Narn
thrown away by the folly of a girl.
q am the next of kin; do you think
of giving Narn to me?"
For the first time he saw a flicker
Of satisfaction in her face, as though
a troublesome business were nearly
disposed Of
Yes; l should like you to have it,
| want you to draw out a deed Of Gift.
so that | can sign it before | go away. -
He bowed with inscrutable gravity
and, taking a huge folio scratched
away upon it with quill pen at some
length. When his scribing was fin.
ished, he found her at his elbow
eager to sign and have done with it.
Before you sign it, Miss Barry, let
me warn you that you are doing an ex.
! tremely foolish thing"
She shook her head taking up the
pen, was about to sign, when she
noticed an omission
1T ought to be over a stamp, surely.
Did you forget?'
1T will be just as legal" he an
swered; but you shall have your
stamp
He produced a penny one, and then
affixed its red tape a clumsy waxen
seal which had an imposing effect. In
all good faith she was about to sign
for the second time. when another
serious omission occurred to her.
There should be witnesses sure.
! Iy?"
Her manner rebuked him for his