Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-05-03

aid Laughing, laughing softly, but q
title tinidly. for she had seen him
| start and felt the pressure OF his
land. Who should it be but ny
friend, Miss Lisle."
1 Leslie LaEle?" he said.
@Your-your fellow-teacher Is called
4 didn't say Leslie; but 1t is
Leslie
| AS she spoke, q tall, slim figure In
white dress appeared against the
dark background Of the open door.
way, and came toward them, then
stopped
Is that you, Lucy? You are no,
alone?"
As she stopped. her eyes glanced
quickly from one to the other, diIat.
ing as she looked. then her face
grew crimson, ahd she spoke his
name:
Ralph"
"Leslle." he answered, and made
a movement toward her then. as Il
suddenly remembering the wondering
frightened girl on his arm, stopped
'You-you know each other?' said
Lacy, at last. in a kind Of gasp.
Ralph, what does Il mean2'
Yes" she said. slowly. distinctly
mfr. Duncombe and | know each
other We are very, very old friends
"Friends?' fell from Lucy's CULVER
ing lips and spoke doubtfully in her
wide-open eyes.
"Yes, dear" said Leslie, friends
nothing more"
"This--this Is a surprise, Les-Mis s
Isle" be said at last, and his voice
sounded almost harsh from his emo
ton. Where have you been? VIVA
has hgypened?'
Yes she said answering his IN
spoken question; months ago. will
tell you AL. about it presently. viii
you both go in2 You have something
10 tell me. | see" an she smiled. 4
Will come directly. l have lost
something.
Lucy took Ralph's hand and held It
up.
1T is found" she said, and pointed
TO the ringg solemeniy. 1T was 70
you he gave it. was 1t not. Leslie"
and a doubt, a terrible fear, pang
almost OF jealousy. shook her heart.
Yes. Lucy" she said in low
voice. every word thrilling intensely
that ring was given 10 me by Nj.
Duncomba. 1t was given 10 me as
pledge Of friendship 1t was a fare
well gift, given without requital-a
pledge and token that II ever | need
ed the donors help. had but TO send
il as a message 10 ind that help
since the day he gave ii TO me !
have never seen Mr. Juncombe; but
| have never forgotten him. nor
ceased to cherish my ring; and yet
little smae curled her lip have
lost Il twice"
Ii don't understand All, yes.
do, | See ii ali she said, with q
little sob and looking from one to
The other Il understand it all Il
WAS very natural" Her voice chokei
4 little. Fho could see you know
yoa, wnD0nt !o,trs you?"
Hush .sa whispered Leslie in
her ear. THAT was so long aso that
he has forgotten H. There is only one
woman in the world he loves and
she is here" and she drew Lucy's
face against her bosom with a loving
pressure 49,
we have MOI, shaken hands set. +"
she said. with a 1.-THE laugh: and We
are keeping YOU outside in the most
inhospitable fashion. Pray come in r
and she went on, Supper is ready.
and" Her eyes filled.
1T is her father she is thinking Of,
she whispered to Ralph. with woman.
/ ly instanct. She knew that Leslie
would have died rather than weep
for a lost lover before that lover and
the woman who had won him II is
Of her father The sight OF you has
brought ii all back to her Oh, how
wonderful il all is To think tina.
you"
! I'd better go. said Ralph, with a
mans aptitude at doing the wrong
thing
no. no: not till she has got over it.
She will be all right in 3 moment.
You don't know how brave she IS
Indeed. almost in moment Leslie
ho4 drges har rpa~S
Forgive me, she muymured peni.
tently. How stupid you must think
me, and am so full OF happiness at
her happiness. too And ii was TO
this gentleman. this old friend OF
mine. you gave the fernroot, and who
drove You and Jenny home in The
rain"
Yes. And you are really glad!"
"Gladder than have ever been in
my fe-than have been for oh. 50
long" she corrected herself II !
could have chosen your future for
YOU would have chosen just this
that fate has for you. You will make