Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-03-15
MI Les|ie's IIL
NJ Loyalty ; :::;;::
Continued.

realized their cruel Slgnl1canee.
The duke sunk back and put his
hand TO his eyes, as If Yorke had dealt
him a physical blow.
Forgive me, Dolph," he said, In
low voice. Il did not mean"
The duke dropped his hands from
before his face.
let that pass" he said in low
voice. you did not mean It. 1t Is
the first unltind word you have ever
But no matter. Yorke, you have
forced my hand, and TO show you that
you have wronged me ] must tell
you all. Yorke"-he paused, and his
eyes dropped, then he raised them and
looked steadily into Yorke's--'I loved
her!"
You"
The duke plucked ut the table-rug
for moment in silence, then he went
on:
"Yea. | should not have told you
| could never have confessed 1t even
TO myself but FOR what you said. II
Ii the truth. loved her! What! ~
and he leaned forward, his thin
wasted face flushed and his lips
qulyering you think that 1t is
given to You only to appreciate such
beauty and grace and sweetness as
Leslie LIsle's? You remind me that
am crushed twisted deformed."
"Dolph!"
But do You think because am
what am outwnrdly that ] have no
heart? God who sees below the
surface, knows that there beats in my
bosom Il heart ms tender as hungry
for love. as quick to love NJ yours
All and quicker, hungrior And !
loved hef--loved her with love as
strong and passionate as yours"
And you did not guess II Well.
that is not surprising for ! nave
strIven hard to hide 1t from even my
self. knew that 1t was madness 10
hope that | might win her love Ana
knew that If had offered myself
I'm my right colors she would have
accepted me, bent, twisted, deformed,
mockery as of man M ! am"
And and"--he stopped and seem.
cd struggling with something and !
was tempted-yea, | was tempted~the
morning she came to mo and told
mo that ahe knew was tempted to
tell her that she might still he a
duchess that | loved her aud would
marry her,
"Sit-sit down" said the duke,
hoarsely. and yorIte sunk down again,
"But | resisted the temptation. |
left her without word, without a
look or sign by which she could
know the truth. had to bear 1t, 1t
Ia n burden which brushes, which tor.
lures me- Even since ! left the
cursed place the temptation has as.
sailed me ut intervals, and once or
twice have almost decided to write
to go down to her and Offer her that
upon which she had set her woman's
hoart--the ducal coronot for which
even Leslie will sell herself"
Now you know tho whole truth. II
you have to suffer, SO also have J.
And my lot will be worse than yours
"Yours"--hc looked at him, not en-
viously, but with sad admiration
you will get over ths-will forget
her" .
mo. MOI"
Yes; there are other women whose
ready" He paused Yes, as one
ready He paused, Yes, as one
nail drives out another. SO one love
may drive out, wipe out all remem
hrance of another, And so 1t will be
with you, But l." lie dropped
back, and covered his face with hi
hands. For me there is no sucl
hope. The door OF love, the gate o
the earthly paradise, il shut agains
me, and will be shut while | live, II
me tho Fates say, mocklngly; Rank
wealth, station we give you; but tn
love of woman. that supreme gift o
the gods to man, thou shalt neye
know
There was silence for moment
Then he raised himself on his elbow,
"Yorke. YOU must bear your burden
Forget her. II will be hard don't
know how hard'--to forget Leslie
Those sweet gray eyes, with thei
melting tenderness. that low, musicu
voice! hut YOU must forget hel
As said. there are others There |
one Eleanor"
Yorke sprung to his feet.
Forget her? Leslie lisle' Whn
are You talking about? We must b
mad--hoth Of us You TO talk as 80
have done, and | to listen. She
true AS STEEL shall ind tell
gram waiting for me at the club an
all will turn out right"
Go and see'' he said quickly =
YOU do not find 4 message from he
what will you do"
Though my body Is twisted, III
brain Is straighter and more acut
than yours said the duke, with
smile and will tell You what to d,
Write to the landlady at the hous