Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-06-18
e.
A Broken Wedding Ring

By Bertha N. Clay.

invitations to political meetings, re-
views of her fathers books, articles
written in his favor, and articles that
held him up TO ridicule and contempt
She found some letters which she
placed aside for destructlon-lette
the contents OF which she well knew
and shuddered to remember. There
were account books showing how
Martin Ray had spent the peoples
money: she turned from them with
loathlng All, what was this? A
letter in square envelope, on which
was written, For my daughter Leah,
written now that | know | am dying,
to be sent or given to her after my
death" She looked at 1t again, mis-.
trusting her eyes while she read the
words.
A letter from her father, written
when he knew that he was dying!
How was 1t that II had never been given
to her? Plainly no one had known any
thing about it. He had written it,
meaning, without doubt, to give it to
Hettle, had put it in his desk, and
IIdi 'iIHNI I'l BblL'll ~ VI lllD hlluhCI
relapse into danger had put it out Of
his mind. She recognized the bold,
free handwriting that had been 50
characteristic Of Martin Ray. She
never doubted but that 1t would be a
loving letter, written to take from her
the horrible curse which had preyed
so heavily on her mind. She put 1t
into the pocket Of her dress; she
would read 1t when she had finished
her search. She would be all the
happier II that letter were a kind and
loving one. 1t had been sore
trouble to her that she had reached
her fathers side too late, and that he
had died calling for her, ana she was
not there.
A few minutes later she had gone
back to Hettie's room, with many
little mcmentoes of home th she
thought would interest her Then
visitor arrived, one of the ladies of
the neighbOrhood to make special
Inquiries after IIottie Leah went TO
/ the drawing-room to receive her, ana
found that the general and the young
baronet had driven over to Glen. She
was slightly disappointed She would
have enjoyed II few minutes with Sir
Basil 1t was her one source of
pleasure when she could leave HettiC.
She entertained her visitor. Lady
Drake. with all the charm OF manner
natural to her. Then, when she left
moro charmed than ever with the
beautiful chatelalne of Brentwood,
Leah remembered the letter
1t was rather early to have the
! lamps lighted, though the rooms were
gloomy with miserable yellow light
! Tho drawngroom was bright and
gay with flowers A fire burned in
tho crate; the vivid flames rose and
fell with n dazzling light, The ruddy
glow almost oy"rpowcrod the pale
yellow light; 1t fell with weird effect
on the beautiful picture of "Oononc,"
and Leah was rresistibly attracted to
H. She drew an easy chair between
tho fire and the picture and looked at
VT with wistlut eyes, Tho frcight
fell on the vale of Ida, ON the dosolate
i
! of despair Then she hcthOught her
self that she would read her letter
Sho rose and stirred the fire. rousng
| It into n yet deeper glare; then she
drew her chair nearer to the picture,
watching tho ruddy glow MS it lighted
up the dCspaIring face of Ocnune AS
( she looked thon. with rest and repose
/ in her dark eyes, with tranquility on
/ her beautiful face she never locked
again.
She opened the envelope; 1t was n
long lotter, and she half wondered
what her father had to say to her
She was lost to everything whom she
had read a few lines Her lctter ran
as follows
MY dear Leah; had sworn an
oath that | would mover look Mt you,
speak to YOU, or address YOU again
cursed You YOU. the child of my
heart, whom loved Lettcr than all
the world You disappointed me in
my dearest hopes. The refusal 20
4 mldl the mission for which had al
ways intended YOU, has boon the hane
aud the blight of my life In my rage
and anger cursed you give YOU
the opportunity Of ovading that curse
by the nohlest act of SELF dcnial amy
woman can perform Years ago,
WHOM the choice was given YOU be
twcen a wealthy stranger and your
poor father. you gave up father,
.s.igitr hhp1n npI thA