Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-02-01

she talk of Yorke as If he belonged
to her? How did it happen that she
wore his portrait on her heart?
Eyes, Finetta of the Diadem!" said
Finetta, defiantly. II should have
thought everybody knew me; but |
suppose he hasn't told you about me.
No; that wasn't likely!" and she
laughed hoarsely. What are you
staring at me like that for, as If l
were "a wild animal"
Leslie put her hand to her brow
with a piteous little gesture.
Tilt is all so sudden. Give me
time | do not wish TO anger you.
only want to ask you "a question
one or two questions. Why do you
wear that portrait In that locket?"
Finetta looked at her a moment in
silence then, with flash of her eyes
and discordant laugh, she replied:
That's question to ask me, II you
like! What do you think wear it
for?" The red deepened in her face,
then left It pale. What does a
woman usually wear mans portrait
for? I'll be bound you've got one of
his, too"
Leslie's hand went to her bosom to
the sparkling pendant, and she shook
her head with a strange feeling of
injury; he had sent her diamonds, but
he had given this woman something
far more precious!
NO" she breathed almost UNI
consciously. did he give it to youN
Oh. answer me quickly, and-and
truthfully. | will tell you why
ask--I will tell you all. IL am to
be his wife--I was to be his wife"
At the change from "am to be-" to
was to he" Ffnetta's eyes flashed,
and she lowered her lids.
"Sit down." she said, pointing to a
piece of rock. Leslie sunk down up
on it, and waited with averted face.
She could not bear to look upon the
dark, defiant face, beautiful with the
beauty of fallen angel at this mo-
ment; face distorted and lined by
conflicting passions.
you were to be his wife, were
you?" said Finetta, slowly, with a
breath between each word. 80 was
IIr
Your" The word dropped from
Leslies white lips unconsciously; it
seemed to sting Finetta
Eyes, mel" she famed out. why
not? You speak and look at me as if
AS II l were monster! Pm-Im
not as young and as good-looking as
you!"
Yes, yes | did not mean to
anger you. Go on; oh, 30 on"
Why shouldn't he marry me as
much as you?" continued Finetta
i've known him longer than you
have! I've been more to him than
you have!"
"Pm as good as you are! Who are
you? You're no more or a swell
than | am; and you're poor, tso, amt
you? and I'm not poor. can earn
thousands year" She stopped,
painting.
Leslie glanced at her shrinkingly.
Anu IL IL COlllCS W SdlillS lOl NM,
| recken care for him quite as much
as you do! You know that, for you
heard me talk down there, when
thought 1t was all over with us; and
as to him, well, I'd wager everything
I've got that in his heart he likes me
as well as he likes you or any one
else!" She laughed bitterly, and
with selfscorn and contempt.
mo, no, broke from Leslie's culver
ing lips.
But [ say yes, yes!" retorted Fin
eta. He's just like the rest. None
of them could stick to one OF us alone
to save his life You must have lived
with your head buried in the sand not
to know that! What! You think
you're the only ore he had made love
to, or that | am the only other one?'
She laughed again. ASK him whether
he knows Lady Eleanor Dallas See
how he looks when he hears her name,
and hear what he says!"
Leslie looked at her with halfdazed
eyes and listened with ears in which a
wild sea seemed roaring.
ut is false-false!" she cried,
hoarsely. Il will not believe" and
she put up her hands as il to cover
her ears.
We'll, he's deceived you easily
enough, any one could see; and If
wasn't so sorry for myself | could
find 1t in my heart to be sorry for
you!"
Look herel" said Finetta after a
pause. Don't mind my hard words.
It's my way when I'm put out. ! can
see you don't believe half | say, and
that's only natural. shouldn't II !
were in your place and didn't know
him so we'll, II you doubt that we are
both talking of the same man. take
this locket and look at it again." and
she held Il out.
mo, you don't want to look at 1t
again. dare say you knew his face
| 3iraCtly Won saw n Now do YOU