Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-08-30

She lifted her eyes to his, then
| raised her hand.
He took it, and his own closed round
1t with a quick, almost painful grasp
| You say 'yes!' he said, then he
| dropped her hand as If some hidden
| pain had overmastered him, and
sprang, like q wild animal breaking
it's bonds, to his feet. "Bertie is a
happy mani" he said, almost hoarsely
turning away his head.
Her hand fell into her lap, her face
| grew white, her eyes expanded with a
look of doubt, dread, horror.
Berthe" she breathed.
He turned slowly and she saw that
| his face was as white as her own, and
| reflected something of her own horror.
Yes, Bertie,'' he said, almost sternly,
as if struggling against some terrible
| impulse. 1T is of Bertie-Lord Gran
yille-I have been speaking. 1t is for
him | have been pleading"
For-him' she painted, her bosom
heaving, her hands clenched spasmod.
ically.
Yes" he went on more hurriedly.
He has loved you since you were
playmates, loved you with all his
heart and soul, so passionately that
he feared, dreaded even to tell you,
lest you should make light of it! Why
do you look at me so? Are you
| ar God lnnuu
ingIy enough that | did it! | would
sooner-but he won me over! | was
mad to promise him, but | did so, and
Miss Vanley!-Olivia''- he
drew nearer-"did you think"-nis
breath came fast, a light, almost
fierce, flashed in his eyes-"did you
think-Heavens! I can't speak it,"
She had found nerve and strength
the strength which is born of shame
All her soul seemed burning with tha
shame of the mistake she had made;
every nerve throbbed.
| I-I"-she panted-'I don't under
stand. OF course it was-Bertie."
He drew back and looked at heI
| ilXedly, grimly.
cor course it was-Bertie. knew
Yes, knew" and she almost stamped
her foot, "and l meant to tell you, il
you had given me time, that-that Il
was-'No!
NOT he echoed
mol" she repeated almost fiercely
"No-a hundred times! Go and tel
him that if loved him as he says he
he loves me, would not stoop tc
marry a man who sends another to-
to--plead for him"
He still looked at her with a grim
fixed gaze.
rs that your answer" he asked, in
so low a tone that it was almost maud.
ible.
1T is" she responded, with pant
why do you not go? You can tell
him." with cruel smile, that you
did your best, that you are not to be
blamed; that If he had any chance
you would have succeeded in your
mission. Yes" with a strange thrill,
''you-you did your best!"
He stood with his hands behind his
back, his head lowered under the
storm of her fierce, maiden passion.
why do you not go?" she repeated,
impatiently, "or do you wish me tor"
He held up his hands as if to stay
her; then, not even lifting his hat,
turned and left her.
Out in the park, out of her sight, he
stood and looked round him like a
man who has received an overwhelm-
ing shock, which, for the time, has
bereft him Of his senses; then lie
went towards his horse, which was
quietly nibbling at the boughs.
AS he did so he heard a sound be.
hind him, sob, such as one hears
from the woman whose heart is
breaking
He dropped the Bride and shud-
der ran through him as he stood for a
moment awestruck; then he sprang
back. She was lying full length
upon the ground, her arms extended,
her face lying upon the grass, her
hands clenched the bracken; a pic
ture of living soul writhing in an
agony of shame and wounded love.
He was beside her in an instant, his
strong arms around her his voice,
full of passionate love and self-re-
proach, calling on her name.
olivia! Olivia! my love! my love.
Olivia!"
Weakened, exhausted, she was pow.
erless to resist him, and he held her
in his arms, her supple form pressed
| against his breast, his eyes looking
down into hers with a mad, wild hun.
ger, an infinite sadness.
A moment-ah. but it was a life
time!-passed, then suddenly a cold
wave seemed to sweep over him, and
still holding her, he rose to his feet
She felt the change. be 1t what il
may, and urew back from him, lean
| inc, against a trpn pantiup apd ruiypr