Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-02-08
Continued.

petuously snatched letter from her
pocket and thrust It under LeslieS
face.
Read that and believe" she said.
Leslie took the note and looked at
Il, The lines swan before her eyes;
but she saw a word here and there,
and the date, and, with a low cry,
when broke from her Notwithstanding
all her efforts to suppress 1t, she held
the note from her.
Flnetta took II and restored 1t to
her pocket then stood ana looked
down at the motionlcss figure In 81
lence for moment or two,
you believe me now" she said In
a low harsh voice. you see I'm tell
ing you the truth and not pack OF
lies And now, what are you going
10 do? Wait moment Let's see
how the land Hes Here am J,
who'ye-who'vc cared FOR him for
years who would have been his wife
if--if he hadn't happened to have seen
you; and--mind I'm just MS Mt to be
his wife as you are! Why, come to
that. he'd tire Of you ever 80 much
sooner than he would of me, because
you haven't any money and | have,
and can go on earning enough to keep
him amused. Don't you see, we've
been fond Of each other for ever so
long. Why, there's been scarcely q
day for months past that we haven't
been together! And even II he's
smitten by you he doesn't throw me
over, YOU see, He sends me his pOr-
trait and sweetheart's note with It
yes, and just after he's left you, too!
Now, that's how | stand And now,
where are you? You've only known
him for a few days; you don't care
for him half-half? no. not one.tenth
as much as | do. That's only natural.
And It's only natural and right you
should give him up Think 1t over,
After all, Miss Lise,' she went on,
with a kind of sullen persuaslyeness,
hes behaved very badly to yol- he
has indeed. He never meant to throw
me quite over. He'd have come back
to me sooner or later"
Leslie half rose from tho rock, and
put out her hand IA II to put the words
the Naturalization her; then
sunk back and covered her face with
her hands
"He'de have come back to me. and
then you'd have been great deal
worse off than You are now"
Leslie did not move, and Flnetta,
watching her closely, allowed minute
to pass in silence that her words might
sink In.
Come now, Miss I.lsle, there's no
occasion for you and me to quarrel!
Why. when YOU think Of II, you and
me have saved each others lives,
haven't we? And we ought--we
really ought TO act square and straight
by each other! I'm the one that has
been badly treated, because he loved
me first, and would have married me,
hut for you, Just think OF that From
what I've seen of you | should say
that YOU were d kind hearted lady, and
one that wouldn't injure n fellow
creature, leave alone fellow.woman
should say You were too proud to
rob a poor girl of the man she's
loved II"
Leslie sprung up painting and for
moent was menthless
The shame, the humiliation, was
driving her mad
an. be silent, be silent Let me
think" she hreathcd Every word
you speak stabs me- She put
her hand 70 her bosom with passion
ate gesture that moved Flnetta. 1T
Is all SO sudden that that | can not
realize It; can scarcely believe, oh,
do not speak | believe all you say
YOU have shown me the noN the por
,'ait Is his, and can not but believe,
And | trusted HIM ah how | trusted
him" Her voice broke for moment
and her eyes swan with tears, hut SHE
dashed them away with her hand and
hurried ON, With every nov aud then
n break between tho words But
what you say is true, He--he belongs
TO YOU more than to me- He has
wronged us both, but he has wronged
You the more cruelty, aud" -she stop
ped and put her hand to her throat rs
II She We're suffocating and Ii
give him back to you Yes, | give
him back TO YOU"
The blood rushed TO Enetta's face
then left It pale to the lips.
You YOU throw him up she
said, as II She conld scarcely believe
her ears,
Leslie raised her head and looked
Al her steadily, with look that would
have melted the heart OF amy one but
a rival
He belongs to YOU not to me. she
raid in low voice. as II every word
cost her heart pang II will
never see him again II can help t,
DO not let him know-do not tel him
that | have seen you. IL have loved
him. and would spare him the shame