Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-05-03


thought OFF, he said.
Yes, there is something" she ad-
mitted
No. dear; il Is no secret. Besides,
| If il were, We must not keep secrets
from each other Wait a moment. ."
| 10 you know anything he asked
Lucy
No" she replied in an awed whis-
per. She has told me nothing Of
the past--nothing. We love each other
! like sisters, and think there is no
one in the world half so good and
sweet as Leslie; but should not dare
yes. that is the word-to ask her
4 confidence"
/ Leslie came back into the room.
She had small package in her
hands. hich she laid on the table be-
fore Ralph Duncombe.
i an going TO ask you TO do some
thing for me, she said. with q smile
mat fickered sadly. as il it were very
near tears. Il want you TO give this
to the person 10 whom it is ad-
dressed"
The Duke Of Rothbury. be said,
aloud.
You may open #" said Leslie in a
low voice. 1t is Of very great value.
believe. If It had not been, should
have sent it by post"
Ralph opened the package A. d
stared. amazed
1T is Of great value" be said, grave
bly, And am 10 give it 10 the Duke
Of Rothbury?"
Yes" said Leslie, her lips culver
ing.
He gave you this?" be said.
Yes. But-but do not ask me any
questions, please
TT is not necessary" he said. You
have suffered. and at his hands"
"No-nO,"
But it is yes-yes," he said. with
restrained passion.
Great Heavens, what mistake
lady Eleanor had made 1t was
not Lord Auchester. then, but the
Duke Of Ro,hbury, Leslie had been
going TO marry.
Il 1ill give II TO him" he said,
sternly.
Give ii to him. but that is all she
said. meaninglY. There is nothing to
he said or done"
You mean that Tiff he has wrong,
cd you. you have forgiven him. he
said.
Long. long ago. she breathed.
DYon may say that if-if there should
3s occasion, but no more
1t shall be as you wish. Your word
Is law to me-"
4 knew that you would DO II for
ne"
Then. as if she wished the subject
to he ended she began to talk Of his
and LGcy's strangely made asquaint.
ance. and their future
1t is the greatest pity in the world
that you should have happened to be
p sing that day Lucy was frightened
by the wild horseman. for the govern
ment will lose one Of its best teach
ers.
And I shall gain one Of the bes, Of
wives"
They talked for half and hour. and
Leslie seemed as light-hearted as
they but presently she stole out OF
the room. with Goodnight
DO you understand i1?" whispered
Lucy. ais he took her in MI arms to
say farewell. Does II mean that
Leslie might have been a duchess.
Yes think SO, he said. j don't
quite understand it, feel as il !
were cropping 10 the dark. with iust
glimmer OF light. But anyhow, !
know am sure that the fault il
there was any. was his. and wish
that she left me free TO tell him so
and exact reparation.
All. but that Is just what you mus.
not do said Lucy. shrewdly. liz il
lust what Leslie does not want You
are 10 give him back the diamonds
and say nothing excepting that she
| forgiyes him.
Poor Leslie, How she must have
suffered
Yes: you can see that by her face
even now. and il Is ever 50 much
happier and brighter than when
saw L first. oh. Ralph. wish she
were as happy as we are"
When he reached white Place he
found Lady Eleanor pacing Up and
down the room with an open letter
in her hand, and she turned to greet
him with a smile on her flushed face
You have good news" he said.
Yes. have heard from Lord
Auchester; he is coming back DAY al.
ter tomorTow-he and the Duke.
, The Duke OF Roihbury he said
I'm glad Of that, Lady Eleanor. for
wish to see him. And, Lady Flea
nor. have something TO tell YOU
something you will be glad 10 hear.
There has been a strange and awE-
ward mistake Ii was not Lord
Auchester who was going 10 marry
~