Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-07-17


could as ;yoon have dreamed OF meet
ing the dead here as you. Heaven! to
think Of seeing you-you standing
there?''
More to himself than to her the bit
ter words drop from his bitter lips He
longs to leap on his horse and ride
tide anywhere out of reach Of those
dark eyes, which hold him with a
fascination which is irresistible.
.'You have been in trouble" he says,
presently. Il did not know it. | am
sorry"
She looks at him for a moment and
then her gaze goes back to the hills.
ct must have been a great trouble" "
he says, slowly, almost mechanically,
as he takes in the sweet mournfulness
that sits enthroned on her beautiful
face-the face that rested on his
breast and shone with such ineffable
joy, not-ah, not SO many months
ago.
Eyes, 1 have been in trouble" she
says But that is past"
"Past!" he echoes. FAnd-and you
are happy now?"
1t is a cruel question, though he
does not mean it as such.
For moment she is silent, then she
turns her eyes upon him.
"This lane leads to the high road,
Sir Heron, and she makes as if to 60.
He puts out his hand in a hesitating
way.
"Stay-stop-do not go! Heaven!
what can | say? How can l leave you
alone like this?"
A smile, sad and bitter, fickers on
her face.
Il am used to being alone. Sir
Heron
He looks at her with sudden fierce
ness.
alone? Why?" he says. why
should you be? You were not alone
when saw you last"
She turns and looks at him, and
something in her look strikes him
with sudden fear and trembling. 1t
is not-no, it is not the look of a
guilty, treacherous woman.
''You were not alone then" he says;
''you-oh, Heaven! that one so fair,
with such a face as yours, should be so
false! Why did you deceive me?-for
what purpose? In another woman
could have understood it; but you, who
never spared your scorn for the
wealth and rank which other women
sell themselves for; you! why did you
play me fa1se?"
Wit a quick gesture she turns upon
him, her face aflame, her eyes fash
ing, her lips struck dumb with indigna-
tion
"Yes!" he says, savagely, 'you look
like this! You would give me lie for
lie, woman like-the fends made you
all alike! And blind fool that 1
should be!--would believe you if had
not stood beside you on that cursed
night, and seen and heard your treach-
cry. You cannot deny it! You play
ed me false-you, with your innocent
face and child-like smile. Tell me
am I mad, or did I see you two to-
gether there in the wood?"
In his passion he made step toward
her, his eyes fiercely blazing into hers,
his hand outheld.
But she does not finch, neither by
look nor movement.
Pale and proud she stands. and her
lips open to hurl back the accusation;
but suddenly she emembers-remem-
bers that the man who stands before
her is not only her old lover who has
cast her off, but the affianced husband
Of Rose Vavasour.
Without a word she turns from him.
''You are silent" he says-"even you
can find no excuse for such treachery.
You know I loved you, and you played
with my love like the falsest of your
sex; anu now you turn upon me with
eyes like these! Have you forgotten
so soon. Traitors have short mem
ories!"
Then she turns upon him with a
smile Of bitter reproach.
He understands the smile. and
knows that she has heard of his en-
gagement.
AS if her soul were revealed to him
by that smile, he can read what is pass
ing in her mind.
With an oath ground out between
his teeth, he turns and lays his hand
upon the horse.
mo, there is nothing to be saiu be-
tween us! Would to Heaven I had
not crossed your path! had-yes,
had almost learned to forget you.
Now"
And he stops to look at her, his
eyes devouring her downcast face as if
he would impress it on his memory for
all time.
May turns aside and leans on the
gate, waiting for him to go.
Before her the hills swim in mist
of unshed tears, his voice rings heavi-
ly on her ears. her strength is almost
spent.
Slowly, MECHANICALLY, he adjusts the