Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-08-24
Continued.

come back; |, who ought never to
have gone-fool that | was! May, my
darling, am not fit to touch you'll
have wIongel you, wronged you cruel
ly! Forgive me, my darling, my own
sweet May"
And he lifts her to his lips; but be.
fore they meet in the passionate kiss,
the spirit within her frees itself from
the spoil, and with low cry Of agony
and pain, she puts ner hand against
his heart and forces her head back
from him, her eyes fixed on his with a
wild despair, her lips pale and tremb'
ling
Mono" she pants,
"No'" he echoes, hoarsely May, for
Heavens sake, do not drive me mad!
Look, how ut your feet ! beg your
forgiveness, And he drops on one
knee, his arm still wound round her
waist and mprisoning the little figure
that wrlthes IN his grasp. May, look
ut me- have frightened you. II
ought TO have written; but ! would
not dash my JOY with one drop Of cold
caution. Look at me, May, here at
your feet! You-you have not foi"
gotten mel You stlll love nc! You
will--you must forgive mel can
explain everything! No, will not
insult you with explanations! am
here AT your fect-see, at your feet
my darling! You will forgive me-"
IIoarsely, brokenly he pours out
the passionate entreaty Wildly she
trembles and looks at him; his words
surge Ike the roll Of the sea in her
cars: bis faco seems In mist before
her eyes; but hIs hands--nh, his hands
hot and eager, ns they cling to her
implorngly tangible enough. and
she thrills beneath them,
May" he says with pause, during
which bis eyes have wandered over
her face with greedy, hungry longing
May" and his voice is camer, but
still uembes ana qulycrs with the
storm OF passion thai reigns within
him. II have come back to implore you
t. forgive me. and TO make you my
wife. II liz NIL summed up In that
WIN make the rest clear M the sun at
MONDAY; rresently--prcsontly; now
now | want TO hear you say: Heron,
forgive YOU. will be your wlfo--
take mel"
Al last hor voice finds sound. and
"TOo latc--too late'" breaks from her
pale lips,
For moment the sense of her
words fail TO reach him. then spasm
convulses his face, ana he staggers to
his feet.
"roo late--too latc!" he echoes,
hoarstly "What--what do you mean?
All" and with cry Of dread he seiaes
her arm Are you married."
She shakes her head slowly and
shrInks back, for, with n cry of relief
he is ready to seize her again.
100 mte!" she says, and over her
face comes shuned look of sorrow,
and into her eyes look of pltlful
anguish.
why why?" he demands, passion.
ntely.
Then, still holding her, lie turns
and looks around the room with an
eager, yet vacant, stare but suddenly
his eyes fall on the white dress, on the
lace AMI ribbons, on the unmistaknblc
signs of bridal attire,
With a shudder his hand drops from
her arm, and he stands As If smitten
by sudden ieathstroke
Silence falls like pail the clock
ticks loudly; Carries Young l.ochin.
VAR" floats down In bitter nockcry,
and there they stand, those two, SO
near. and yet so divided.
At last he looks up.
"'rell me-" he says, his eyes nxe3 on
hers with dumb, pitiahle entrcaty
"this- this-th then" and his arm
moves In the direction OF the heap Of
white satin, aud then falls to his side
lis yours?"
He roads the answer In her eyes.
yours You are going to be mar,
riod2 Is that SO? Whon?"
Tomorrow, she hrcathos, family.
""romorrow-t tomorrow hc echoes,
vacanlly. tomorrow, AMI his hand
wanders To hts brow his hand that Is
thin and wasted,
Then he turns with lowered head,
"Hy Heaven" he hrcathes, Il am
punished
White and rigid, one hand holding
the chair FOR support, she watches
him.
Yes, he mutters. more 10 himself
than to her. 4 deserve it"
Then he looks at her over his shout
Ter. as n man might look when he
takes his last look ut the Paradise
from which he Is oxpelled--forever
HIS eyes take In every line Of the
beautiful face, and slowly. with bent
head. he moves toward the door.
Alas, she cannot let hin, go! The
passionate love which was rot dead
hut has sprung into life again at his
touch lears like Wild beast within
her bosom and ovormasters her
Il. HF1xtt st..1