Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-08-07
he gave to MaYi

he gave to May!t
For moment the room spins around
and he leans upon his sword heavily.
Have his wounds and fatigue com
bined got the better Of nim Is he
dreaming?
He bends down again and looks at
the mans face and as he does so a
shuuder of surprise runs through him.
Unles he is dreaming he knows that
face It is the face of the man who
met May in the Letchford Wold!
! For moment he stands staring
down at the sleeper, a storm Of con-
fIcting emotions raging in his breast;
then he examines the ring again and by
the light of the candle held close to
the hand sees his own crest engraved
upon the stone.
Yes, it is the ring; it is the man!
With smothered ejaculation he drops
iown upon 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
lies to mock him.
Half delirious 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.
Sc 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 dawns on his
face as he mods good temperedly.
'Glad to see you safe, if not sound,
sir. Nothing serious, hope?"
Heron stares at him Ill silence for
moment, then points to the hand on
which the ring glitters cousrcuously.
That ring" he says hOarsely.
The prisoner glances at mis- ring and
(! then back at Heron with surprise
and establishment.
"Tou don't mean to say that you
mean to take halloa!" he breaks off
and leaning forward he stares at Heron
as fxedly as Heron stares at him.
Heron's lips twitch.
"That ring he repeats, with sup
pressed passion. "Tha1 ring is mine
how did you come by it? I demand
| IT. 1t is mine!"
The prisoner locks at the ring and
then stares at Heron's white face and
S9vape ewes
"Ry Jove." he mutters, Jam
awaken"
Then he adds aloud:
You know me, sir?"
Il know you an? you know me.
That's enough Do you refuse to
give me that ring?"
The prisoner leans against the wall
an6 eyes his questioner with sullen
surprise.
"The ring?" he says slowly "It is
yours-I know that; but 1 .1idn't steal
it,"
A spasm of furious jealousy distorts
Heron's face and he springs 70 his
feet.
NO." he says hoarsely, sit was
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-"
'"To mel" says Heron, the ilelirium
Of his weakness getting the upper
hand "To me, the man who loved
and trusted her. I know you! 1t was
for you she betrayed me? and saved
your life tonight, Give me that rirg!"
The young fellow stares and feels
at his side for his sword. which has
been taken from him, for there is
deadly meaning in Heron's furious
eyes.
IL don't understand" he says. 81
can't make it out Your ring, yes,
know it is your ring; and if I hadn't
known it it would have gone long ago.
But-but what the 1evil are you here
for?"
II am here" pants Heron, because
here-because it was fated that we
two should rect. Give me that ring
Or" and he draws his sword.
COR you will murder me?' says the
other calmly, his eyes fixed with
| troubled, puzzled scrutiny On Heron's
delirious ones. "Well. I'm unarmed
your man took d2re of that. and at
your mercy; though why you should
want to 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
| for her throne. makes a great effort,
ne recoils and filings the sword from
| him.
| I,