Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-05-14
A Broken Wedding Ring
Continued.
By Bertha N. Clay.

that was most costly and magnificent.
For Hettie there was position, and
there was luxury, but her fortune
would by no means be so extensive.
Sir Arthur had soon made up his
mind as to what he would be able to
give Hettie for her dover; and the
interest on It was to be her own, to
spend as she liked. All these arrange.
ments were made in detail during
their stay In London. 1t was evident
To all who knew them that the gen.
eral did not intend the two sisters
TO be on an equal footing. Leah was
to be mistress and heiress; Hettie,
the newcomer, was TO be subordinate
TO her. II was evident to all that he
loved Leah best.
Before they left London for Brent
wood better understanding was ar
rived at between Hettie and her
uncle. They were alike in many
respects-In simple honesty and
sincerity, In certain unworldliness
of character that was beautiful In IT.
self, In certain sense OF honor and
loyalty that both held most sacred.
When Hettle recovered her spirits,
and began to talk more freely To the
general, he was charmed with her
sweet, quaint wisdom; she knew SO
much, she was so helpful, SO self
reliant, and she excused herself so
simply when he taxed her with much
learning or scholarship. She had
been obliged to read, she said, in
order to converse with her father.
Such was the love this girl had borne
him, 80 tender, so devoted so true,
that the general could not forbid all
mention Of his name; and, though
Hottie seldom referred to her father,
when she did so she was listened to
in silence, II not with respect.
Leah seemed much happier. Her
love and her lover were to her far
too sacred to be lightly discussed as
they drove from shop to shop In
search Of elogancles and novelties III
the way Of dress.
"lIottic," she said, one morning, IL
cannot tell You much while we are
London, but when we reach Brent
wood / shall have something to say to
you"
In the mean time, they were most
happy together Leah was far too
noble for jealousy She delighted TO
SEQ her uncle lavish Kindness
valuable presents, and attentions on
Hottte. She was far more pleased
than when the like were lavished on
herself, and Sir Arthor was proud OF
her generosity, During these ten
days she had heard repeatedly from
Sir Basil. Why she said nothing about
him : = could scarcely have Lcen
explain d, except on the ground that
she intended to tell Hottie all tho
story Of her love when they were nj
brentwood, The general had said to
her one day that II would be better
Tor her to say nothing of Hottie to
Sir Basil at present; she could tell
hlm however. that he would nnl
another inmate at Brentwood, one
whom he would be- compelled TO like
very much, and that Sir Arthur had
communication to make to him
when they met again
He will think am married"
laughed the general How surprised
he will bel"
Uncle asked Leah suddenly, "do
You think that Basil win lllI,
lettd?"
He looked at her measiy for n
short time, and then he replied,
i should think that he is sure to
Ike her, do not see how he cal,
help II, The difference between YOU
two sisters is this-you take ones
heart by storm; Hottie crceps into it
unawares,"
The real question" laughed Leah.
is, which is likely to remain the
longcr?"
You would Loving you, Leah,
would be fever which no man could
snake OFT Make yourself quite easy
about that Basil is sure to like
Hettie,"
But for n few minutes after he hao
spoken the words tho general did not
seem quito like himself.
They returned 10 Brentwood. but
SIR Basil was not there to meet them
lie had gone to Glasgow on some
sudden and unforeseen business and
was uncertain as to the precise day
or his return, He had written To
Leah, and professed TO be most
curious about the new inmate" ana
the communication that Sir Arthur
had to make. II was a very kind af.
iectlonate letter and Leah read Il
with flush on her face and tears IN
her eyes, She kissed Il when she
mad mastered every word in t. an
thought, with glow of warmth I'm
her heart, what happy life lay be-
lore them. And Basil would be suro
70 Ike Hettic Had not her uncle
said so?--and he was clear of sieht
and Keen of judgment, She had no
fear; the happy future for which she
had longed and hoped was sure 10 he
hers. What of that curse. tho
memory of which had haunted her
and frightened her Ii meant moth.