Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-09-28
N Loyalty ; :;:;;::
Continued.

And newell, even now IL is you
who are the protector; some day
Leslie, It makes my heart ache to
think of you alone In the world, alone
and poor know that the little he
has goes with him. Don't be angry. /
am thinking only OF you; | cannot
help thinking OF you and your future.
II You would say Yes II you would
promise TO be my wife, not only would
your future be secure, but your
present, his present would be easier,
happier; for your fathers sake, II not
for your own"
He stopped, for Leslie had risen and
stood looking down at him, her qhver.
ing hands claspei tightly
NO, MOI" she painted, mot even
for--for his sake! / could not, could
mott"
Il understand" he said. 1T lint
that you do not love me, but that
you well, yes. dislike mel"
No"
Yes, that's tt see now that have
been fool to go on hoping, that my
case is hopeless. DOn't'-for she had
shrunk from his almost savage tone
don't be afraid | am not going to
bother you any more. ! wish ! coulL
say that ! am going TO give up loving
you; but | cant do that Something
tells me"-he struck his breast Ms II
he were glad Of something to strike
\ bal an, 4
die See here I4es-Miss Leslie, It's
evident that | cant be your husband,
but can be your friend MOTOR
she turned her head away--"no,
don't mean that ] am going to hang
about You and poster you; / couldn't
The sight of you would be torture to
me. hope-yes, | hope | sha'n't see
you for years But what | meant to
say IL this: that, II you need friend,
remember that there Is one man In
the world who would give his right
hand to serve you. Remember that
ut any time-any tlme--in one year,
two, or when you are old and gray,
that you have only TO say Come TO
feet. That time will never come you
think? Very good. But still you
may need me, II you do send to me;
devote my life to you. Oh. there's no
merit In It; ! can't help IT, I'm
romantic In way, You see"--he
smiled with bitter seIlscorn for his
wealtness-"yo are the one woman In
the world to me- Your calTso Is mine,
your friends shall be mine, your foes
mine. IT YOU need protector, send
for me; II one wrongs you and you
want revenge, send to me; ana as
there Ia a heaven above us | will como
NJ your call to help or to ayengo you"
His face was white, his eyes CLEAN,
Ing under their red brows. So trans
formed was he by the master-passion
that If any one Of his city friends had
seen him at that moment they world
scarcely have recognized him. Ralph
Duncombe talked the rant" OF melo,
drama! lmpossibel
Leslie drew back, her eyes fixed on
him in fascinated kind of gaze her
bosom heaying. He made an evident
effort to recover his selfcommand and
succeeded. With u long breath he al.
lowed his face to regain It's usual
hard, son.possessed expression
II have frightened you Forgive me!
| told YOU how | loved you, and, you
Soc q man doesn't tear from his
heart the hope that has grown there
for two years without feeling 1t, | am
going now, You can make any excuse
TO your father or you need not ten
him YOU have seen me- Goodbye.
Leslie. It's the last time shall call
YOU sol"
He held out his hand, II was ms
firm rs rock, and gripped hers 40
tightly that she WINGED.
i've hurt you! | would lay down
my lifo to save you u moments pain.
II was my ring All Take this!" he
said and he took her hand, opened 1t,
and, placing the ring In her palm,
closed her fingers over II gently, ana
vet firmly, as II she would accept no
refusal. If ever you need a friend,
either for yourself or another; IL ever
YOU need TO be avenged on foe SEMI
this ring to melt will not he noccs-
sary to send q word with it-anl |
will come to YOU. Good.byo!"
lie raised her hand toward his lips,
with 4 sound that was half sigh. half
groan, he let 1t fall without kissing 1t,
and without looking around, climbed
the beach and was lost to sight.
CHAPTER ".