Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-06-01

dressing gown, with a hood that drew
over her head.
Heron, is il your" she said.
L was many years since ne had
come to her thus He used 10 come to
her In this way when he was a boy,
and in some boyish trouble, wanting
advice and money frequently the lat
ter.
is II you, Heron?" she asked
1T is ], mother" he said
she looked up as he came to the
fire, and seeing his face in the light
Of the solitary candle, she started as
Rose Nayasour had started.
Are You better, mother" he said,
leaning against the manteI-shelf, and
looking down at her.
Yes; | am better" she said Ny
head still aches. But-but why are
You so late?"
For though We nave spoken OF a
quarter Of an hour Sir Heron had real.
y been sitting some hours over he
fire.
= am rather wakeful, moghc he
answered
''Nes?" -he said. interrogatively.
You have not come to quarrel with
me- Heron?"
No"
NO do not; I cannot bear that you
and ] should quarrel Anything rather
than that ! would give way sacrifice
anything rather than that, and--and
I have been thinking over it, and
will give way Heron, withdraw
any objection ] may have had Toto
May Of course it has been a disap-
ointment TO me, You could have done
- much better And--dont be angry
vita me, Heron don't think she is
worthy Of you,"
4 am not angry mother"
Il nave no objection to her personal
l.. and ! viii try and like her, will.
indeed, Heron but-~but--it is not
what ] expected
What did YOU expect mother? How
eyer, il is no matter"
No, it is nc matter, Heron" she
aid: Il would not oppose you, dear
Nsu know that, Whom nave ] TO
live Tor but you. If your heart is
set upon this girl we'll ! viii try and
take her as a daughter"
He was silent, and the strange look
upon his face puzzled and troubled
her.
II could wish that the father was
was-more of a gentleman! But they
tell me that he has behaved, in one in
stance, like a gcntleman--he has offer
ed to give The only thing he has to
aiye-his money"
Sir Heron WINGED and turned his
face away.
And | suppose | must be satisfied,
and the proud old woman lowered her
head ANA sighed, "Of course, ] wish
il had been otherwise, / would rather
see YOU marry in our sphere!"
Then he speaks
Mother ! do not think / shall ever
marry"
Lady Lctchtord starts. ana turns
her anxious face up to him.
Heron never marry! and YOU
mean to marry this--this May Dial
tom"
4 do not mean to marry May Dial
ton" he says, sternly.
Lady Iet"hford looks up at him with
Il wild stare Of suspicion. Of relief. of
joy.
Heron"
For Heavens sake do not look so
delighted " he says, hoarsely. There
there, ! mean what / say do not
mean to marry"
DO you mean" she says, drawing a
long breath, "that-that-this engage
ment Is broken OFF,"
1T is broken of, he says, CURLY.
1T ought never to have been made.
Mother, | believe you are a good wo-
man, ana a true one; If ] did not, I
should he inclined to say that there
was not an honest woman in the
world, not enc worth an honest mans
consideration"
Heron. what has happened?" she
asks, staring at his pale, haggard face
with anxious curiosity.
1T is no matter do not ask. be-
cause | could not tell you. From to-
night my lips are closed respecting
the affair Briefly this engagement
isis a mistake. You We're right, 1t
seems-it should never have taken
place. and"-he pauses, aud with bent
head, stares moodily at the fire for
minute LAZY Letchford watching him
like mother fond and proud. does
watch her only son when the hand of
deep sorrow holds him in its grasp,
and she Is helpless to relieve him.
And" he says, after this pause. Il
have been hard hit; am glad It is
over. But did not disturb you to
utter plaintsl thought that you should
know that Encouragement was
broken on, and that / intend going up
I" London 70 start for-Jericho-pos-
siblN"
Heron" she says, arising, with
newborn fear you 10 not mean it
y"u will not leave the Void. Of