Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-11-24


first into all the misery of such union
without thought of the morrow"
And you-you think he loves her,
murmured Lady Bell; and she waited
for an answer as a man on his trial
might wait for the verdict of the jury.
Stephen smiled. He could read
.ady Bells heart as if it We're an
open book.
Loves her. No, certainly not-not
yet. He is amused and entertained,
hut love has not come yet"
And she?" asked Lady Bell. anxi.
cusly, her eyes fixed on Una's face.
stephen smiled again.
mo. not yet. She is ignorant of the
meaning of the word, | have taken
some trouble to arrive at the truth,
and ! am sure of what say. Ii is
well for her that she is not for any
thing Pike serious engagement would
oe simply madness, Poor Jack, His
future lies SO plainly before him, and
ii he would follow it, the rest of his
life might be happiness itself"
You mean that he should marry for
money," said Lady Bell, coldly.
mo, not for money alone" muir.
INJURED stephen. Jack is too high
minded to be guilty of such mean.
ness; but is 1t not possible to marry
fCr love and money, too. Lady Bell?"
Lady Bell turned her head aside;
her heart beating fast. The voice of
the tempter sounded like music in her
ear, Why should not he marry fol
love as well as money? She had both.
She loved him passionately, and she
would pour her money at his feet to
do as he liked with; to squander and
make duck and brakes Of If he would
but give her a little love in return.
As she looked across the room at
him. that awful, wistful longing which
only a woman who loves with All her
heart can feel, took possession of her
and mastered her
why do YOU tell me this?" she
asked sharply turning her face, pare
and working.
Because" murmured Stephen, be
cause have Jacks interest so much at
baart that ! am bod enough to ask
Tor aid where | know it can be of
avail"
DO YOU mean that you ask me
she said TREMENDOUSLY. what can !
do?"
"Mucn, everything" he whispered,
his head bent low, almost to her ear.
ASK yourself, dear Lady Bell, and
you will understand me, Let me be
pain and straightforward, even at the
risk Of offending you. There was a
time, not many months ago. when |
and his best friends thought Jack had
r.ade a choice at once happy ana
wise"
Lady Bell rose and moved to and fro,
and then sank down again trembling
with agitation.
you mean that-that he was falling
IA love with me?"
Stephen inclined his head With low
cred eyes.
1T is true he said you cannot
fail to have seen what all observed"
And he went on quickly And b..
or this fancy-this passing fancy all
would have been we'll. Lady Bell, ,
am speaking more openly than | ever
have spoken to woman before | am
rsling offending you. but | do so from
the affection which bear my cousin.
lady Ben. | implore you to help me in
saving him from a step which will
plunge him into lifelong misery lie
IS totally untitled to battle with the
world; married wisely and well, he
would b. a happy and contented man
married unwisel.' and badly, no one
cau picture tho future
Lady Bell rose, her face pale, her
eyes cleaning under the strain which
she was enduring.
Don't say any more, she said; 81
II cannot bear IT, You have guessed
my secret; | can feel that. Yes.
would save him if / could, AMI If you
axe sure that-that there is no en-
gagement
There $ none said stephen lying
smoothly. There can be none; the
idea is preposterous.
Lady Bell moved away as lie spoke,
and turned over some book on the
table 70 conceal her agitation, and
stephen. humming a popular hymn
tune, crossed he room and looked
down AZ Jack and Una with benedll
tory smile, as If he was blessing them.
ARE you aware Of the time, and that
Lady Bells hall porter Is uttering
malodict!ons for our tardiness?" he
said. pIayfully.
Jack locked at his watch
BY Joye' No idea it was so late.
Are YOU ready, Mrs. Dayenant?'
Mrs Davenant woke from a sleep,
aad she and Una went upstairs.
Il see you have a new maid, she
il more than superior. she is interest
.7g She has a history"
stephen. standing by folding and
unfolding his opera nat. smiled.
Very interesting but take care.
Iadg Rall ! am always suspicious Of