Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-29
Continued.


been looking back to those happy day
We spent together; and when man.
down with the fever he looks bacl
with keen and wise insight into thu
turn OF things, and knows when he was
happy In the past, and with whom
and sWore that, If ever ! pulled
through and got back. | would ask yOr
II you did not think we might be as
happy in the future as in the past
Lear Bell. ! would try and make you
happy. VIII you be my wife,"
Trembling in every limb, she sal
silent. and with avorted face Then
suddenly and yet slowly, she turned
hCr eyes upon him-cycs ful' Of inef
fable love and sadness.
Slowly softly, she put Der other
hand in his. and smiled at him
You ask me to be your wife, JACKIE
Il do" he said, Your answer, dear
Bell?"
Ia No" she said
Jack started, and his eyes fell before
tie deep love and tenderness In hers
lie would have drawn his hand away,
but she still held It gently
"Do you ask me why Jack? will
tell You. II Is because you do not love
me"
He looked up with start. and turn.
ed pale.
Lady Bell shook her head gently.
do not speall-it Is useless Be
sides, you would not tell me lie, Jack.
Listen; |, too, have been looking back;
!, TOO. have learned leshDr--a truth
while you have been away. And that
truth *, that others may luec as truly
may find II as impossible to forget"
'rhe past Is buried he said, hoarsc-
ly-- "lot II rest"
1T Is not buried-it cannot be. Sec!
II roviyes-springs up, even without
the mention OF her name. Jack, you
do not love mo-~you cannot for all
your love has been given, Is stlll given
To Una"
For Heavens sake" he imporcd
rising and pacing the room.
Lady BELL looked at him
"Ah, how you love her stll Jack!
See how right ! was; and yet you
would como to me"
And the tears fail slowly.
Forgive me- said jack, bending
over her humbly, imploringly-" Tor.
give me, You you are right. But
! swear | thought III was over for me
You knew me better than knew my
self"
Yes, for good reason, Jncls." she
murmured; for | love YOU
jack WINGED.
II have been nb rutol" he murmurod
No, Jack" she said-and she put
her hand on his arm and locked up at
him WITH n smile-'you meant we'll and
honestly You did not know how It
stood with you. ! could not have loved
YOU so well II YOU had been falsc--if
YOU had forgotten her. have been
thinking It out, Jack; and know now
that to love onCe-as yol and ! love
- Is to love forever"
hut II Is past" he said, utterly, In
i'N'AtHiN HuNls lbH Nb not KNOW lIlb
barrier that stands Immovably between
her ana me-"
DO | not?' she murmured. inandih.
~. BE 1t what II viii your love and
h@rs stand firm on either side Of It,
Bht no more of that, Jack. nm glad
You have come to me-yery, very glad
And though | canont be yCur wife,
laCk'--with what tenderness and sad
lcss those two words we've LIoathed =
can be your friend, lwant you to
promise me something"
Jack pressed her hind lie could not
trust himself to speak
II want YOU to promise that YOU win
uot so away again, that you will not
leave London whatever happens
mind whatever happens without let.
ting me know! ! may ask that much,
lack?'
You may ask anythIng," he said,
husbily; Il will do anything You ask
Of me simply anything
Il think you would" she said, "rhen
| have your premise? Ana, Jack this
must mako no ulUNlcntb between us,
you will come and see mc?"
II do not deserve TO come within d
mile of YOU +"
She smiled.
And SO punish me FOR rot saying
yes she said, with little attempt n
archness "That would ia hard 70,
me, Jack should lose lover an,
friend as we'll
You are the trues hearted woman
in the world. said Jack derrly moved
Except one" said Lady Bel
There, 20 now Jack, and come TO din
ner tonight and bring Leonard Dagl
with you-another true nea't.'
Il will" said Jack, simply And h
held out his hand.
She held out both OF hers and look
ed ut him with strange. wistfu
yearning In her eyes.
Jack she breathed. softly, wi
YOU kiss me for the first and las
time"