Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-04-09
Continued.

general lOld me tldl you VIII HOl ~
main much longe at Denc. You will
return to Brentwood in a few days;
and then you will let me speak to you
about our marriage? | want you to fix
n date for It, to tell me when you think
IL can take place. It seems uncertain,
and ] am tired Of uncertainty.
A look OF unutterable relief came
Owe her face. All, Heaven be thanked,
1t was Of her, of their marriage and
their future, that he had been thinking
lately with so grave face. great
fearless sob rose to her lips-shc had
been so unhappy about him, and all
without reason, his silence had been
caused only by his anxious thoughts
OF her. They were alone in the draw
ing-room. She looked up at him, all
the love that filled her heart sh'nl <
In her dark eyes. She put one fair arm
a:ound his neck.
Basil. ! have been so unhappy
about you" She murmurcd. People
said that you looked preoccuped and
dull ] could see for myself that you
were not the same; and | wondered
If you had ceased to love me"
Ceased to love you, Leah He
tried to speak chreIessIy, but his whole
frame trembled and his lips grew pale,
Ceased to love YOU Leah, tell me
what you would do II that happened.
The face raised to his was full Of
ca nestness and truth.
What should ! do?' she replied,
There would be but one thing on
earth for me to do, and that would be
to die. When all that made lie worth
living was gone, how could live2'
life Is very precious" he said
drawing her closer to himself and 1t
Is not easy to die"
1T would be easy for me- she dc
clared Il have let all my des es and
interests merge themselves In yours
! have kept back nothing for myself,
not even one thought of my heart"
Il know you have not, he said
touched inoXprcssIby by the pathos Of
her voice and face. He caressed the
da masses of hair and the
girls whole face grew ra
dIant ut this unexpected
Indication Of his tenderness, Leah
he went ON, thouEhtfully, Il am the
last ono to preach on such subjects,
but do you think It wise for any one,
man or woman, to become 80 com
pletely cngrossod IN his or her loye?'
No certainly not, she replied, Il
do not think II wise; but there nre
como who cannot help It."
"Hou have given me your heart,
your love- your life, Suppose II should
be the Will of Heaven that | die
what thop2"
u should ole too, she replied with
look SO calm that he saw she would
find nothing to repino at In such
fate, 81 have my own IDEAS about
true love- she added; "and ours Is
true love, Basil, though the portion of
1t that comes to us in this life Is
smaller that that which feel assured
we shall enjoy in the next And YOU,
Basil she asked, loolln. mp nj him
with happy eyes, what should you do
II died?"
Heaven help him! He hated him.
self lie longcd for the power to take
her In his arms, to whisper loving
words to her, to kiss her lips, to make
her happy; but he could not the fair,
sweet face with eye like blue hya-
cinths lloated between them.
II cannot tell" he replied Men
are SO unlike women; even the quality
of their love Is different"
"One thing am sue. would never
happen you would never care for
any one else" she said with the i'm.
plicit faith of loving woman
He hated himself more than ever
ms the words fell on his ear.
you believe in consistency, Leah 2"
he asked,
"los" she said musingly 4 can
not Imagine anything SO terrible as
losing You, and even II lived after
such an awful calamity, could never
ca q for any one save you, No other
would have power TO interest me
believe in one love and no more"
III she knew" he thought. with
'lN''I sign, Lean, ne Sulu, after Il
few minutes silence, could anything
that | might ever do make you nate
me?"
NO she replied, nothing have
asked myself that question II you
were in fellons cell tomorrow, |
would share 1t with you, would 80
to the scarfod with you.
'Dca",' he said gently, that Is 4
great love, but Is II not 4 blind love"
Yes she answered, and In this
world blind love is best You have
made me very happy Basil she con.
tinuod. "nvring these evenings
while YOU have looked so thoughtful
| have watched YOU anXiously."
why did YOU not tell me that YOU
were troubled" he asked
II did not like to do SO, Although
know how much you love me. Basil
there are times when feel timia and
almost afraid Of intrudiug ON you"
know how much YOU love me-. Basil.
there are times when | feel timid and
almost afraid of intfYIiInp IN vpn ;"