Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-02-06


asked the maid.
NO l prefer to go alone. Give me
4 cloak and veil; do not Care to be
recognized. for I could not talk 10
any one. No one will distinguish me,
will they, Newsstand"
The maid looked at the tall, grace
full figure, and thought to herself that
nothing could Disguise her mistress.
81 think not, m lady" sh3 replied.
Lady Laura walked to the head OF
the pier The sea was rough; the
waves seemed to tumble over each
other in their haste; the breeze was
full of a refreshing briny oder. Grad
uaIly it cooled the burning temples, it
eased the weary, heavy eyes. 1t was
like breath of relief. The evening
shadows were falling thick and fast
over land and sea as Lady Laura stood
looking at the white cliffs beyond
which lay rockingham and NewhaVen,
the lights that shone on the vessels
out at sea. In the presence of the
grandeur of natures work, she forgot
herself and her troubles.
Suddenly she became aware of two
figures sitting not far away from
her on one of the side-seats looking
toward the sea-a man and a woman
and the man was leaning, with an
air of loving tenderness, toward his
companion. In a moment she recOg-
nized the outline of her husbands
broad shoulders. She could not see
his face; but she was none the less
sure that it was he, and that the wom-
an who was with him was Gladys
Rane
Drawing her veil more closely round
her face, Lady Laura stood still and
watched them. They were talking
earnestly, but she could not distin-
guish what they said. Once she saw
her husband clasp Gladys hand; but
the hand was quickly withdrawn. She
watched them like one spellbOund.
This was her own husband-this man
who had stolen out in the shadows
of evening 10 meet another woman
her own husband; and, though he
cared so little for her, she loved him
with all the devotion Of a true and
loyal wife Should she go to him and
demand an explanation Of his con-
duct? No; for he might say that she
had followed him; he might humili-
ate her before her rival; he might say
that he had met Miss Rane accidental
ly, and that they were enjoying the
beauty Of the soft gray evening to-
gether. No; it would be useless to
confront him. He would only laugh
her to scorn, and her rival would tri-
umph
The shadows deepened, and still she
stood watching the two who were so
unconscious of her presence. After a
time they rose, and the silent watcher
saw the captain draw Gladys cloak
more closely around her. Then they
began to walk slowly up and down.
They were so engrossed in each other
that neither of them noticed the black
ROBBED figure standing near them. AS
they passed and repassed Lady Laura
could just distinguish a few words of
the conversation. She overheard the
captain say:
NO, not yet; do not go in yet,
Gladys. Nothing can he more deli.
cious than this"
The next time he passed her he was
saying. Il have Ionged to tell you all
this, but have had" And the sea
breeze, which was to cure her head
ache, carried away the rest of the
words
When they passed again it was
Gladys who was speaking; she was
talking earnestly and in a low tone OF
voice. The only words that the I'M
happy wife heard were these:
Stronger than fate
She wondered, in a dull, vaeue fash
ion, what was stronger than fate,
Was it love, or hate, or circum-
stances?
Still the untiring footsteps went lid
and down; still the faint murmur of
voices reached her. Then the soft
gray shadows of evening were dis
PEELED, and the lights flashed crimson
from the pier-head, and the colored
lamps along the pier gave forth a sud
den glow. In turning round. LADY
Laura found that her husband and
Gladys Rane were gone.
70 be Continued