Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER XXXIV.

CHAPTER XxXlV.
Sir Basil had decided. He had tried
to think of his case as though it were
anothers; he had tried to weigh it,
give judgment upon it. There were
two courses open to him-he could go
to Leah tell he" his story, and ask for
his freedom, or he could leave Dene
and never look on Hettie's sweet face
again.
II he decided to pursue the former,
he knew that 1t would be far less cruel
were he to plunge a knife into Leah
breast, he knew that it would kill her
more gu ely than II he had gone away
and left her long before. Was it his
duty to consider her first? Clearly.
He had asked her to be his wife. he
had never dreamed that time would
come when he should love with all the
madness, the passion. the impetuosty
of youth; he had fancied in some
vague way that his engagement would
save him from it. Yes-before he
thought of himself o. his own happi-
ness, he must think of Leah.
Only few months since, his life
had lain before him bright and calm
as n summer sea, he had known but
little trouble. He had youth wealth,
every good gift, in short; now all
these were valucless to him, because
he must renounce the thing he loved
best Weighing all the circumstances,
! hn nj it,k hn nnulI bnUn pD1lnI
himself dishonorable had he told the
whole story to Leah. But he could
not crush hc.-her whose only fault
was loving him not wisely, but too
we'll She must be his first care, since
she was his promised wife, But while
he was deciding to surrender all hopes
for the future, he determined to nave
one more glimpse of paradise and say
ia, ewell to Hettie. so that he might
take with him through all time the
memory of her words and looks.
On the morning after he had come
to this decision he told the general
that 1t was very probable he should be
compelled to return to Glen in a few
days Business awaited him; one o."
two leases had fallen in-and there
was adjoining property for sale-in
fact, there were several important
reasons why he must go at once.
Leah will be very sorry" said Sir
Arthur. whose first thought was al
ways for his beloved niece.
Sir Basil was not the man to do
things by halves.
why need you linger after | am
gone? You can bring Leah back to
Brentwood am sure she viii be
pleased to be at home again, though
they make us very happy he;e. And.
Sir Arthur" he continued, determined
to rlvet his chains at once, when
you are once more at Brentwood
want to talk to you about-about the
marriage; 1t is time something was
settled
Sir Arthur laughed and looked
pleased.
You must talk to Leah about that,
BASIL he said. place aux DANES
always"
Yes, | will talk to Leah about it."
returned the other, impetuously II
do not see the use Of this long delay"
Nor do l." said the general Il do
not understand the art Of love-maIing:
but you have both had plenty of time
to make up your minds. You love each
other; do not see what need there
is for fui Their waiting"
How Sir Basil WINGED at the simple
words, at the implicit faith the com.
plete confidence and trust reposed in
him, What would this old soldier
say II he knew that he had given his
heart, his love, TO some one else?
The same day he told Leah OF his
intention to leave Dene. He often
afterward thought of the scene She
was In the drawing. DOM, standing by
the table, turning over the leaves of a
book, when he went up to her
Leah. he said, gently. Il find from
my letters this morning that | must
go back to Glen, have some import.
ant business TO attend to at home"
She had been smiling as she looked
over the eusrayings; but her face
, changed rs she heard the we ds
You are going, Basil she said
leaving MS 2"
4 CULVER of pain passed over her
face wistful expression crept into
} her eyes He thought TO himself II
| the simple announcement of his de,
, parture for a few days could cause her
4 such pain what would have happened
had he told her allH lie could net liz
$ cruel to her. lie must take care that
she never knew. never suspected the
/, truth II must endeavor to make her
c happy, althongh he could never lie SO
, How We'll she loNad him and, oh. the
|. pity of it,
To he continued