Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-04-02
A Broken Wedding Ring
Il
By Bertha N. Clay.

He knew now that he had loved Hettie
at first sight; he ought not to have
yielded to the temptation Of seeing her
second time. When he found that
morning, noon, and night the fair face
with it's halo of golden hair haunted
him, he should have known the
reason.
He stood face to face with this one
fact at last-that wealth, title, fame,
&: andeur, nothing that earth could
give him was OF any value unless with
It he had the love of Hettie Ray. He
was in despair.
who Is 1t that directs this power
we call loye?" he asked himself, Why
can not love the woman must mar.
ry? Why can | not marry the woman
I love-"
Looking forward through the posi-
BILE years Of long life, he saw no
CLEAN of brightness; thee could be
no happiness in future unshared by
Hettie Ray. He was not the first man
who had stood confused and embar-
rased on the threshold of life-not the
first to go through that terrible strug-
gle between duty and inclination I ON
which no man perhaps, altogether
escapes. What would he have said or
thought had he known that the two
girls between whom he was SO curl
ously placed were sisters? He thought
himself already the sport of fate, If
he had known the truth, he would
have believed himself cursed by fate.
He began to wonder what Hettie's
feelings we eff she cared for him;
and then his conscience reproached
him. He knew she did; he had read
her love In her eyes on that night when
everything was changed between
them If he were Tut free, 1t seemed
almost unmanly but he could not help
the bitter sob which rose to his lips.
He knew that the present state OF
things must end that he must make
up his mind with respects to some
immediate Cou Sc Of action He must
not play with fire, he must not daily
with temptation, he must decide at
once which way honor lay
That same evening, after dinner, the
duchess proposed that they should
spend an hour In the picture-gallery.
which ran half round the house and
was one of the most magnificent parts
of it. The Dene collection of pictures
was conside cd one Of the finest in
England Portraits of the RosedcnoS
Of many generations hung there with
pictures by the old masters ana by
modern artists, White marble statues
and jardinle.es with costly flowers
filled the numerous rccesses; while
comfortable seats were interspersed
here and there.
Tho duchess sat in a lounging chair
of crimson velvet, watching the pretty
groups scattered about but there
were two among the guests upon
whom her eyes chiefly rested One
was u tall, graceful girl draped in
palest amber, half covered with black
lace: diamonds shone ON her dark
head, on her white breast, and on he
beautiful arms. She carried fan
glittering with jewels and made of
pale amber plums; her dress was cut
afte.' the fashion Of an old Venetian
picture. and with the diamonds at her
breast were some scarlet passion
flowers. She formed n perfect picture;
and SO many of the gentlemen pres
ont seemed to think, for they haunted
her like shadows. Shadows, too. they
wee to her, for she saw only Sir
Basil: her eyes never fingered with
interest on any one else. She had been
walking up and down what was called
the south gallery with Sir Basil, and
the duchess saw with annoyance that
while Leah's whole soul shone in her
eyes and tremoled on her lips he was
distant and preoccupied,
"The man who has won the love of
such n woman ought to be proud OF
her" she thought; "but II | wee to
express my ideas on the subject,
should say that he looks most decid.
eddy bored"
1t was true, All the brilliancy oil
LEANS beauty, her grace, her wit, the
touch of genius which made her diff
fcrent from others the vey lavish
ness of the love she gave him, tired
him. He knew that the position was
pitiful, that II was cruel; but he could
not help It. AS he walked by her side
the shining amber robes and the light
OF her diamonds contrasted unfavor
ably with the pale blue dress anc
sweet face OF the gil whom he loved
so dearly
Basil" she said, Il am sure you
are not listening to me; your thoughts
are elsewhere DO You know what
Lady Fanny Curtiss said about yot
today 2
Lady Fanny is SO Very uueomptt
mentary. hardly care to inquire,
laughed ST Basil
"She said that you looked like on'
of the Gunpowder-Plot band that yot
wanted only u slouchod hat y larg,
{. cloak. and lantern to make YOU ;
/ perfect conspirator"
, What called forth Lady Fanny
/ WITT" he asked.
You have looked SO sad, Basil