Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-10-25

That's right, ma'am," he said,
soothingly; you'd better go. III open
the gate Why, dash it all, its
locked! How did you come in?'
She vouchsafed no answer, but
| turned and walKed up the path again.
He stepped past her and guarded the
door as before, and she, with an angry
snarl, went down the garden and
| leaned on the gate. There she re-
NAMED till the darkness wrapped the
| lonely lane.
The man spoke to her two or three
times urging her to go, but she made
no reply, and took no notice of him
whatever. The weary hours rolled
along, then suddenly a firm step was
heard in the lane, the man hurried to
the gate and held up the lamp, and it's
| light fell upon Faradeane.
1t shone, too, upon the womaa's
face, defiant still, but now pale with
| some new emotion, as the black eyes
flashed up at the handsome face of
the man for whom she had been wait
ing.
He did not start, but into his grave,
weary eyes came a strange look, as
if the long-eXpected had come to pass
at last.
so I've found you" she breathed
do you know" she painted, that
this fellow has kept me out here-that
he has treated me like dog?"
Il beg pardon, sir" the man broke
in. Il told the lady she mustn't come
in-she wanted to- | asked her to
leave her name"
Faradeane unlocked the gate, took
the lamp from the man, and signed TO
him to go in; then he turned to the
woman and regarded her with dead
calmness.
yes, you have found me-" he said,
not defantly, but in still, steady
voice. What is it you mean to do
what is it you want?"
Her black eyes flashed up at him,
and her 1.-THE, strong hands clenched
at her side,
you talk as if | was nobody-noth.
ing!" she said hoarsely.
You are as nothing to me-" he re-
sponded, with no trace Of scorn, but
with something in his tone that cut
her more deeply than any outspoken
contempt
ooh, | am, am II" she retorteG.
"Ill show you differently, presently
DO you think Pm afraid Of you? You'd
like to kill me-yOu wish me dead
know that! I can see it in your face.
But I'm not dead worse luck for you"
He turned his head slightly. Some.
one was passing in the lane. The
footsteps stopped as If the passer-by
had heard the words and had paused
to listen.
Faradeane raised the lamp Good.
night, Afford" he said.
Alford-for it was he-glanced from
Faradeane to the dimly seen figure Of
the woman with an air of surprise;
then, touching his hat, returned the
goodnight with deep respect and
walked on.
''Do you think I'm afraid of you"
she repeated. You're mistaken If
you do! You've got more cause TO
fear me. You know the secret be.
tween us Drive me too hard with
your cursed GOODNESS and I'll shout it
out here and now!" and she raised
her clenched fist and shook 1t at him
He looked down at her in silence,
with an impressive face, but with
strange expression in his eyes;
mixture of loathing and something like
pity-the expression a man might
wear who looks upon wild, furious
animal.
The look seemed to madden her.
"Why don't you speak," she DO
manded. Are YOU going to keep me
standing out here any longer. Do
you know how long | have been kept
waiting Ivy that brute of yours?"
"Say what you have to say here.
he said, quietly.
"And suppose refuse? Suppose I
use inc pbNtl 1 We gu pNtl you anu
insist upon going in? I've got my
rights"
mo" he said you forfeited them
long ago. Why have you come here?
What benefit can you gain by track
ing me down."
Tracked you down! Yes, you're
right, That's just what have done
she retorted with laugh of triumph
And now I've found you don't meal
to leave you! You can't force me 20
either"
mo" he said, as quietly as before,
with an accent Of Weariness, you
are quite right; l cannot force you 70
leave me, but can leave you. You
demand, by the right Of the secret be.
tween us. to enter that cottage; do so
il YOU will, but | shall never cross the
threshold again. You know that"
"You-you hard DEVIL" she painted,