Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-11-09

with his own hands, and spent the
rest of his life in prayer and medita-
ton. Every day the village folk, and
sometimes the pilgrims who visited
his shrine, placed food on the edge
of the little window; but though tney
could hear his voice in prayer or sing
| ing hymns, no one ever saw his face,
nor did he ever look upon those who
came to visit him"
He must have been fearfully UNI
happy" says Yorke in a low voice
for the soft, subdued tones seemed to
cast spell over him.
mo, they say not; for he was
often heard, especially after he had
been living here for some years sing
ing cheerfully; but that was after he
received his sign"
Yes; he prayed that II HearJE
His sign?" he asks.
! forgave him his sins and accepted
| his penitence 1t would render the
birds tame enough 70 come at his
call"
And they did?"
Yes; the pilgrims TO the shrine
often saw a thin, wasted hand thrust
I through the widow with a hedge
sparrow or thrush perched upon it,
and the rabbits-there were numbers
of them here-would come when he
called and let him feed with the
remnants Of his frugal fare. One day
the village people received no answer
when they called to him; not even
the Pax vobiscum which amply repaid
them for their plous charity. They
waited two days, and then they en-,
tered the cell and found his lying
dead on his stone pallet, and a wild
dove was resting on his heart. 1t few
away as they entered, but 1t was seen
lowering about the cell for years
afterward, and the Portmars people
even now"
II Yorke had read the story of the
hermit in hool--hc didn't read
many books, unfortunately would
not have affected him at all; burt told
by this lovely girl, in a voice hushed
WIN pN III IJdllItllt awe anu reverence,
! 1t moves him strangely.
Its a pity there are not more her.
mIts" he says; "a pity man can't
leave the world, in which he has
made himself such a nuisance, ana
have little time to be quiet and re
pent"
Eyes, your grace" assents Leslie
He looks at her and then away to sea
again.
Il wonder whether you'd be offend.
ed If asked you favor, Miss Lisle?"
what is it?" she says lightly. In
the old times the proper reply was
Ay with half my kingdom burt l
haven't any kingdom"
ooh, 1t isn't much" he says. al
was only going to ask you IL You
would be kind enough not to address
me as your grace" Leslie looks Il
him with her slow smile and faint
blush.
rs It wrong" she says apologetical
ly. Il didn't know. You see, l have
not met many dukes"
"Oh, OH It's right enough to call
duke your grace" he says, hur-
redly but I'd rather YOU didn't calf
me So"
I'm glad ! was right" she re,
joined, with an air of relief. I
thought perhaps III committed some
awful blunder"
No, no." he says. But don t.,
please. II have decided objection
TO It, You see, I'm rather a re-
publican nowadays, don't you know"
oh, Yorke Yorte! There will be no
dukes or any other titles presently"
But until that time arrives what
should one call you?" asks Leslie,
not unnaturally. is my lord right?',
It's better he admits; but | don't
care much about that form-friends,
You know. I'm afraid you think ita
rather presmptuous of me to call
YOU a friend"
An enemy would sound rude ana
unEratefu after your and Mr.. Tom
pies Kindness" she says as lightly
as before.
My name, one of EN-, is Yorke-
and-and it's the name like best,
dare say you have noticed that Mr..
Temple calls me by it?"
Yes" says Leslie.
$3.50 it sounds more familiar
TO me, and and nicer. suppose i
man has right TO be called what he
likes?"
Il imagine So" says Leslie.
Then that's bargain" he says
cheorfully. ms If the matter were dis
posed of This place" he goes on,
as II anxious to get away from the
subject, reminds me of Scotland
little btt--you only want the salmon
river. I've spent many a day fishing
and stalking In n solitude as com,
plcte as the hermit's. You get scared
at last by the stiffness and the silence.