Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-08-03
he gave to May!

| ana uS leans upon MS SWOIu newly.
Have his wounds and fatigue com
bined got the better Of MIN. Is he
| droaming2
lie bends down again ana looks at
the mans face and as he does so a
shuider Of surprise runs through him
Unles he Is dreaming he knows that
| face. II Is the face of the man who
met May in the Letchford Void!
For a moment he stands staring
down ut the sleeper, a storm of con-
Hlcling emotions raging in his breast;
then he examines the ring again and by
he light of the candle held close to
| the hand sees his own crest engraved
upon the stone.
Yes, 1t is the ring; 1t is the man !!
with Il smothered ejaculation he drops
Town upon a broken stool and stares
at the sleeper.
| In an instant a furious, irrepressible
jealousy springs up within his bosom.
a few hours ago this man was at his
mercy A single thrust would have
put an end to him. And now here he
les TO mock him.
Half deliriCus with the weakness OF
his wound, Heron sits and stares and
grinds his teeth.
At least he would have his ring, he
thought, and he seizes the hand Of the
sleeper roughly.
So roughly that the man awakes and
springs half upright and sits and stares
at the white face on level with him.
Slowly the remembrance of the
nights events pass into his conscious
ness, and faint smile lawns OH his
face as he mods good temperedly.
Glad to see you safe. II not sound,
sir. Nothing serious, hope?"
Heron stares at him IN silence for a
moment then points 10 the hand on
which the ring glitters cousp cuously.
That ring" he says hoarsely.
The prisoner glan@c3 at mis- ring and
tllen back at Heron with surprise
and establishment.
You don't mean to say that you
mean to take-haloa he breaks off
and leaning forward he stares at Heron
as lixedIy as Heron stare4 at him.
IIeron's lips witch.
THAT ring he repeats, with sup
pressed passion. "'ThaL ring Is mine
how did YOU come by it? demand
It! 1t Is mine!"
The prisoner locks at the ring and
then stares at Heron's white face AMI
savage eyes.
"Ey ,Jove" he mutters, Jam !
awake?"
Then he adds aloud:
You know me, sir?"
Il know you an! you know me
That's enough DO you refuse to
give me chat ring?"
The prisoner leans against the wall
God eyes his questoner with sullen
surprise.
The rlng?" he says slowly. 1T Is
vours-I know that; but ! ldn't steal
It,"
A spasm Of furious jealousy distorts
lleron's face and he springs to his
feet.
stolen for you. The traitress."
The prisoner rises and confronts
him.
There Is some mistake" he says,
his face reddening, his eyes flushing.
You are rather free with your words.
sir. The lady who gave the ring to me
is not one of that sort Who was she
played traitress to-"
'Fo mel" says Heron, the i, lirlum
Of his weakness getting the upper
hand. "'ro me, the man who loved
and trusted her, know you! 1t was
for you she betrayed me? and saved
your life tonight, Give me that ring"
The young fellow stares and feels
ut his side for his sword, which has
been taken from him, for there is
deadly meaning in Herons furious
eyes.
IL don't understand" he says Il
can't make 1t out. Your ring, yes,
know II Is your ring; and il hadn't
known It II would have gone long ago.
But--hut what the levil are You here
for?"
Il am here" pants Heron, because
her treachery and falsehood sent me
here-hecause it was fated that We
two should p,eet. Give me that ring
Or" and he draws his sword
"Or you will murder me-" says the
other calmly. his eyes fixed with a
trobuled, puzzled scrutiny on Haron's
delirious ones Well, I'm unarmed
Your man took are OF that!-and at
your mercy; though why YOU should
want Ia kill meme passes my under.
standing"
With extended sword Heron moves
toward him.
The ring, the ring" he gasps
hoarsely
Then suddenly, as reason. struggling
lor her throne, makes great effort,
he rocoils and filings the sword from
him.
NO, he says, with hoarse, UNI
natural laugh, keep IL, Take II back
to her and wear 1t ON your wedding