Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-08-04
CHAPTER TX.

Lave made such a journey alone, and
have to go back alone, and at night!
That is what grieves me. II | could
but go with you--and yet that would
scarcely be wise--but IT IL impossible
under the circumstances. Come, give
me your arm, my dear Laura"
A little SILVER ran through her frame,
and she caught her breath with a
stiaed sob.
Come, come. my darling he MUIR
INJURED; don't look back, look forward
In an hour or two you viii be home"
DO you think | am afraid?" she
asked, and her voice trembled, but not
with fear mo, ! am looking back.
oh, stephen, do you remember when
we met lirst?'
YES, yes" said Stephen Boothingly
and with an anxious, sidelong look
about--to be seen promenadng the
high road with young woman on his
arm on the night OF his nncle's death
would be the ruin Of his carefully built
up reputation Yes, yes" he muir.
INJURED. Shall ever forgct2 How
fortunate you lost your way, Laura
and that you should have come up to
me to ask II, and that should have
been going In that direction. And yet
the thoughtless speak Of chance!"
And ho cast up his eyes with unctu.
ous solemnlty. though there was no
one In the dark road to be impressed
by IT,
Chance" said the girl, sadly-"an
evil or a good chance for me--whicht
Stephen, ! sometimes wish that we
had never met-~that had not crossed
your path, and 40 have left the old
HE, with Its duh, quiet and sober
grayness; but the die was cast that
afternoon | went back to the quiet
home, to the old man who had been
my father mother and all to me, and
HE was changed"
your grandfather has no suspicion"
mo. he trusts me entirely II ha
asks a question when 30 to meet YOU
he Is satisfied when | tell him that |
am going to Il neIghkor stephen. II
had had a mother, do you think
should have deceived her also?"
Deceived? Deceived Ia too harsh n
word. my dear, my dear Laura We
have been Obliged, for various reasons,
to use some roRerye--let Ms say candid.
ly, To conceal our engagement You
have not mentioned my name to any
one?' he broke off
ITO no enc" shc answered.
My uncle was man of rough and
hasty temper. il.lndging and mercl.
less"
'Bnt" she snid with sudden
eagerncEs. and slight shudder. "he---
he Is dead now, stephen There Is no
need for further conceament"
Softly, softly. dear Laura We must
be palient--must keep our little secret
little while longer. can trust
my dalling to connde In me-y yes, yes.
know that"
stephen, tonight for the FIRST time
why ! know not have doubted
no. not doubted, for have fought hard
against the suspicion that | was wrong
to trust YOU.
MY dearest" he murmurod re-
proachfulIy.
You were wrong To leave me for
so long without word-yon put my
love to too severe Il tcst II cannot
say whether II has stood II or not To
night | am full Of doubt stephen.
lock at met"
He turned his face and looked down
He had not far to look, for she was tall,
and In the moment of excitement had
drawn herself to her full height The
moon, sailing from amongst the clouds.
shone on her upturned face. her lips
were set and the dark eyes cleaned
from the white face.
Lock at me stephen, Ill say II
there Is the faiuest idea Of treach.
cry lurking In your mind"
My dearest-s="
Cast II OUT Here, tonight, warn
you to cast II out Such love as mine
Il like n tWOedged sword, II cuts both
ways, for lcve--or hate' stephen |
nave loyed,sl have trusted YOU for
mine, for your own sake. be TRUE 10
me-"
lie was more impressed than alarm.
cd, This side OF her character had
Geen presented to him tonight for the
first time Hitherto the beautiful girl
had been all smiles and humble devo.
tiou Was she hewitched or had he
been mistaken in herr Perhaps Il
was tho moon but suddenly his face
looked pa'er than ever, and the white
oNeids dropped until they hid the
shifting eyes as he put his arm around
her
My dearest What can YOU mean
Deceive YOU Treachery' Can YOU
deem mo--mo--eapablo ef such things
My dearest you are oyertirod! And
your jacket has become unhnttoned.
Listen, that i the railway lell Laura
you will not leave me with such words
on your lips"
Forgive me, stephen"
al