Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-06-20

Z L
az Miss Mertens described how Eliza
beth had seized the murderer with
the rapidity OF lightning did he sud
denly change color, cast ng an anX-
ious glance at the young girl, as
though to assure himself that she had
really emerged unnarmed from her
danger. He leaned over and pressed
her right hand to his lips. She felt
his hand tremble.
Miss Mertens, who saw that this
expression of thanks embarrassed
f izaOeth, and drove a deep blush TO
her cheeks, arose, picked up the pis-
toll which Linke had THROWN down in
his fight, and gave it to Herr Won
Waldo
'FrighUfuI." he murmure d. The
scoundrel has used one Of my own
arms.
Elizabeth arose, and assured them,
in response to a question from Miss
AerLens, that she felt no effects OF
her fright whatever, and could begin
the homeward journey. Both wished
to take leave of Herr Won Waldo. But
he fastened his horse to the fateful
beech, and said, in a jestIng tone
"Linke is, as we have convinced uor
selves today, of a very reVengetui
nature. He may hate my rescuer even
more grimly than myself. l cannot
permit her to go on without a male
escort.
They climbed the mountain. Miss
Mertens FASTENED II advance, to IN
duca Herr Won WaIde to hurry, TO .
steps must be taken for the prOsecu-
ton OF the murderer. But her effort
was vain He sCrOde slowly and silent
~ beside Elizabeth who Wrest I'd
W. tn herself for a time, and then, In
a soft hesitating tone, begged him
not to return alone for his horse out
to send for it.
He smiled. MY Belisariu5 is
wild and obstinate, as you know. He
obeys no one but myself, and would
take it yer il if another than his
master should try to leadhim home.
| Besides, that coward, as / to- you,
W II not venture to make a second at
tempt today. And il he did, / am
safe; a good star has risen for me
this day
He paused. What do you think?
he asked, suddenly, in a sOftaned
voice, while his cleaning eye looked
DcnetratingIy into her own. May
believe that it will accompany me AL
my Iife?"
If you undertake such breakneck
schemes as this, I is better for your
be tef in your star not to be too IN
| limited
The most daring performance was
my thought itself she murmured
and a gloomy shadow settled upon
his face.
Il do not understand you said
Elizabeth, amazed.
Naturally" he replied, bitterly
Your thoughts and wishes take 2
wholly opposite direction. With al
Hrmness it, in dealing with ones
self, often happens that one lets d
pleasant dream take possession Of
one. No. say no more, l am punished
already, for l am awake.
He fastened his steps now, and
joined Miss Mertens, while Elizabeth
followed III silence, puzzI ng over the
reason of his falling so suddenly
into the harsh tone again which
| wounded her 50 deeply. He spoke moi
another wor- and when at last the
walls of the old castle pee2ed through
the bushes, he briefly took his leave
and strobe rapidly down the mountain
! side again.
NJ IS Iertens looked after him
surprised. "A strange man." she said
at last, shaking her head. And il
life really has very little value fOl
him. as [ must assume at the pre5en'
moment. | do think a word at part
! ing would not have been super1u0us
when one reflects that you rished
| your own life for his sake"
I do not see any necessity for ii,
| replied Elizabeth. You attach alto
| gether too much Importance to my
share of the adventure. | simply did
my duty to my fellow-man and should
have done precisely the same if the
chase had been reversed and Linke IN
| danger" she added, with a peculiar
expression of defiance in tone and
gesture. Il wish very much, too, to
have him understand the matter thus
for, with his pride, the consciousness
of an undying obligation toward an
other human being would certainly be
most painful, and 1 wish least Of al
TO be that human being"
Tender anxiety and bitterness were
struggling within her as she spoke
Her thoughts followed every step oil
the man now striding down the noun
tain side. and she shook at the thought
that he might at that moment be
passing the spot where the Vengefu
| demon lurked. Then she reflected that
| it was decidedly foolish to waste heI
whole thought and feeling upon q
man who persistently showed hel
only the hardest, toughest side Of
his nature. Even toward the baroness
who was repulsive to HIM, he never
for a moment lost his composure OF
violated the forms OF general polite
ness, however directly he might ex
press his convictions. All who sur
rounded him knew him exclusively as