Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-06-01
BY Charles 0arvice

to the dust, his thousands have taken
unto themselves wings and flown, not
slowly, but swiftly in few weeks;
and he lies upstairs, in the gaudy,
luxurious bed-chambcr, with not
enough To bury him
Already thick veil Of disgrace
and dishonor, Of bankruptcy and ruin
seems TO be falling on the handsome
house In which he so delighted.
Servants are muttering and conject-
nring In the kitchen, staring and lis
tenlng In the hall, Shaking their heads
and winting knowingly In the stables.
And among 1t all, scarcely compre-
hendng, scarcely grasping 1t yet, sits
May, looking with fixed gaze on the
little man who site brooding opposite
her
DO You mean she says, at last,
"that--that my father IL ruined"
y am afraid 80. Miss Dalton" he
answers, and his voice auvers 1t
would be cruel to deceive you. had
hoped when came down, that this
place and something substantial
would have been settled upon you or
your sister, but--but It is not 1t
was a strange piece Of neglect on his
part. Very strange, such sound
business man as he was But there
IL nothing settled, You--you will for,
give me, miss. but ! ask It out of the
deepest respect I've been with your
father man and boy, for forty years
forty ears" and the honest eyes I'LL
With tears right out now; but is
what he said to me just before he left
this room true are you engaged to
marry Sir Heron l.etchford? |
shouldn't doubt IT, ] know but his
mind seemed quite unhinged Was it
true? ] do hope"
May turns her face away
at Is quite true" she says.
'rhank Heaven" he says, arising
and sitting down again agitatedly
Miss Dalton, II never was so thank
full for anything in my life Then all
this doesn't matter, doesn't really
matter | know Sir Heron Letchford
everybody knows him, Of course He
ii one Of the richest men in the
county -the richest And and-ex.
ouae me Miss Dalton" and he fairly
freaks down.
For the first time Mays face softens
aud the tears spring into her eyes.
Who looking at the pale.eyed little
man, would have given him credit for
SO large a hearth
Please do not--do not" she says
going up to him and touching his arm.
u know how good friend my father
had in YOU, VIII you be mine, Mr..
BoNall? | am quite helpless and
alone, she Pushes, reproachfully. as
she thinks Of Heron, and corrects her
self, Il mean that there is only my
sister My brother you know my
brother?"
Mr.. BoXall shakes his head sadly.
Il am afraid Mr. Dalton. junior,
wouldn't be Of much use"
lie has gone abroad" she says,
hastily you must not misiudge
him, MIR RoXall But--but my sister.
] am thinking OF her Where can /
send her? She cannot remain here"
mo ne certainly not, miss. IT,
aud he looks at her eagerly-"if you
wouldn't think II presuming, and II
there IS no one else who has n proper
right-though think No one else-my
wife would he proud, greatly proud to
have Miss Carrie and yourself under
her humble roof ms honored guests"
Mays tears fall. Before she can
reply the door opens
Mrs Turner Is away in Scotland.
miss She was called away the day
before yesterday" says the footman.
That's the lady you sent for?" says
Mr. RoNall
Yes" says May. sadly
Heron he asks, respectfully. III
not, ! think"
May looks down.
No, she saws. quietly, mo- he will
be here soon, no doubt No. ! will not
send for him j"
CHAPTER XXI.
In silence Sir Heron ANA the beauty