Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-03-26

other was my daughter"
Did she die also?" said Sir Basil
pityingly.
No, she is worse than dead-a thou
sand times worse than dead. If coulC
weep over some green grace contain
ing her | should be happier"
Not dead - said Sir Basil. wonder
ingly.
mo; she deserted me; she cast me
off, much as you would throw away
your old gloves. | swore that | wouC
never mention her name; but, if
do not speak, my heart will break
have thought of her all night against
my will-quite against my will"
1T is only natural that you should
think of her" rejoned the baronet.
mo; you do not know what she did
! had these two daughters, Hettie and
girl; the other was a genius, a bright
| beautiful, gifted girl, who would have
been a prophecies among the people
Ny heart was wrapped up in her.
People say that a father should make
no difference in the love that he bears
| his children. How can he help it? TO
me one was as a magnificent imperial
eagle, the other like a gentle white
dove | loved the eagle best. | wanted
to make her a heroine, to teach her
to go among the people, to teach as
| had taught. She was so beautiful,
so full of fire and spirit, &! and soul
shining in her eyes! | told her what
wanted ] asked her for her LIES
service. What is the service of a life
when one loves a cause? On the very
day that unfolded my plans to her
stranger came among us-a man re-
lated TO nv wife. He was rich-bah,
how | hate to speak of him. and he
wanted to adopt my children. re-
fused his offer; he appealed to them.
All! Heaven, when | think OF the
scene! She. the daughter whom !
loved best, left me- and went up to
him this stranger, and chung to him
Take me away she cried. I have
been praying to Heaven to send me
She went away with him, and | cursed
her"
As he finished speaking, Martin
Rays arms fell ncrvelessly by his side,
and his gray head dropped upon his
breast.
"And the othor-Hettie-what did
she do?"
"Ah! good, faithful Hettie! She
came to me. | see the picture now,
Glen. She put her arms round my
neck. I will love you, and serve you,
and be true to you until die she
said And SO we four stood looking at
each other. Then the other two went
away. Hettie and | have been alone
ever since; we have never uttered her
sisters name since the day she left us,
and we never shall, If EIetue ever
breathcr it. would send her from us.
Yet today | grievc that | cursed my
child What do you think added
Martin, after short pause, of the
choice my daughters madc?'
Il think Miss Hottie one of the
most devoted, most unselfsh girls in
the world answered the baronet
And what do you think of the
other?" asked Martin Ray,
What can think?' said Sir Basil
What could any man think of girl
who deserts her own father and cllngs
to a stranger"
"You condemn her then. CUES
toned Martin Ray eagerly.
ut is not my place to Judge or con
denim. Perhaps she could put the mat
ter in a way which would make it APP
pear different; but, SO far as | can see,
should say that Miss lIcttic was by
far the more noble OF the two. |
should think her sister selfish, and
certainly wanting in nobility of char
wanting. too in natural atteC-
ton, II she could desert her father and
cling to stranger
Il have never been the same man
since" said Martin Ray, with sigh.
Il should hardly have thought that
two sisters could have differed SO
I catly," remarked Sir Basil, quite UNI
conscious that by his own words he
was condemniug the girl he had asked
to be his wife.
u should like to know, said Mar
tin Ray. with haggard face IF
curses ever really cause evil | should
like to know If that proud, beautiful
head will bend under the curse laid
upon it,"
Il hope not" answered Sir Basil.
| quietly.
Martin turned to him suddenly
Promise me" he said that you
will not reveal one word Ol what |
have told YOU. Hettie believes that |
have forgotten her sister, wish her
, still to think So
Il shall never speak of it, promised
Sir Basil You may rely upon me,
But as he went home he thought
much of the story he had just hea d,
What Il strange thing that two sis
ters should differ SO greatly that one
should be SO noble, So full Of self
sacrifice and that the other should
leave her father and go away with a
| stranger He admi ed HCttiC more