Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-05-22


every word can be heard by the two
listeners. every word burns itself into
the brain of the man, and helps to
deceive him.
For now he hears a mans voice-a
mans voice consoling and soothing
the woman
Had the beauty brought him five
minutes earlier some phrase of Sgd
ney Dalton's would have informed Sir
Heron that he was listening to Mays
brother; but as it is, there is nothing
to dispel the delusion that these two
who have met in the denSeneSs of the
wood are or were lovers.
To him standing listening there
and cold as ice the next, her perfidy,
her treachery, were soon proved be-
yond all doubt
Not once, not twice, thrice does she
declare that she has deserted him
What else can she means but that she
has betrayed and Tilted this unknown
for a richer suitor-HerOn himself?
Still in his mental agony Heron
moves to lean his hand against tree,
and it is this movement which Sgd
ney hears and turns to listen to; and
as he turns, Heron sees his face.
Proof still more damning! 1t is
the face of the fugitive whom Mays
cry had saved. that very morning.
Now. now he understands the agony
that thrilled in her voice as she stood
up and pleaded for him. The wretched
being was her lover-she had loved
him. and was here. Here by appoint.
ment, too, With groan he remem-
bers her anxiety to be home by sun
set. And the locketi He knows-he
feels as sure as he does of death. that
if he had looked inside that locket he
would have seen this mans accursed
portrait.
The voices go on-growing more
ing each moment.
A hand of ice seems to clasp Sir
Heron's heart He forgets the tall
figure beside him. feels not the devil
ishly-joyful eyes fixed on his face.
Proof still more damning! 1t is a
strong man in the agony of discover
inc that the one woman he has ever
loved. the one woman on whose purity
and honor he would have staked his
soul is false beyond all falseness.
How long he stands there he knows
not, never will know. Suddenly the
voices cease, the awful spell breaks.
and he starts forward.
But again the hanjl restraints.
''Heron," she whispers in his ear.
He starts and turns to ner, and
surely, if she could pity, she would
pity and relent at the sight of his
haggard face and bloodshot eyes.
But there is no pity, no reienting.
1t is the hour of her revenge. For this
wretcned girl she-she, the beauty"
has been neglected, put aside. Relent:
Pity! Who pitied her?
Heron" she whispers. why should
you interfere? Let them go; they
are not worthy to triumph over you;
they will do it if you go to them.
He stops and shudders, and puts his
hand up to his brow. Then he turns
to her
''You are right" he says-and his
voice is SO changed, so unnaturally
calm. that it strikes her with a sudden
sharp dread-'we have no business
here; let us CO."
And, with the old courtesy, that
even in the moment of his agony does
not desert him, he stoops to pick up
her glove, which has fallen, and takes
her hand upon his arm.
Once, once only, he pauses. 1t is
when low sob from the weeping girl
strikes upon his ear; a shudder runs
him. and he half turns; but,
with a muttered oath, that makes the
woman upon his arms tremble, he
moves away.