Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-11-05
g. Barring GOULD

his blessing But L could not WIN
| word of kindness for you, Mr.. Jasper
not word Of hope and loye!'
oh, Miss Jordan, how good and Alnt
you are!'
| Mr.. Jasper she said in a soft trem
ulOus voice, I would take the journey
readily over again. l would ride bacl
at once, and alone over the moor, i
| thought that would win the worlC
for you. l believe, trust, you are re
pentant, and I would do all in my
power to strengthen your good resolu
ton, and save your soul
Then she touched gorse bush and
made her hand smart with the prickles
She put the ungoved hand within the
radius Of the light, and tried to see
and remove the spines.
Never mind she d, forcing q
laugh. The ring, not the prickles, is
Of Importance now. II do not find
it tonight, I shall send out all the
men tomorrow, and promise a reward
to quicken their interest and sharpen
their eyes
She put her fingers where most
wounded to her lips. Then, tn linking
that she had sa d too much, shown too
great a willingness to help Jasper
she exclaimed, Our holy religion re
Quires US to do our utmost for the
penitent. There is joy in heaven over
one sinner that iC rOOtr'te
I have found your glove exclaimed
Jasper jOyously. He rose and held UP
a dog-skin riding-gIove with gauntlet
Feel inside if the ring be there,
said Barbara. 4 cannot do so myself
one hand is engaged with my whip
and skirt
I can feel 1.-THE hoop-through the
leather
I am so glad 50 much obliged to
you Mr. Jasper She held out her
white hand with the ring-fnger ex-
tended. Please put it in place, and
will close my fist till I reach home
She made the request without
thought, considering only that she had
her whip and gathered habit in her
right, glOved hand.
Jasper opened the lantern and
raised it. The diamonds sparkIed.
Yes, that is my ring said Barbara.
He set the lantern on a stone,
slab of white felspar that lay on the
grass. Then he ghtIy held her hand
with his LETT, and with the right
placed the ring on her finger.
But the moment it was in place and
his fingers held it there, a shock of
terror and shame went to Barbara's
heart What incOnsiderateness had
she been guilty of! The reflection OF
the light from the white felspar was
in their faces. In a moment, unable
to control herself, Barbara burst into
tears. Jasper stopped and kissed the
fingers he held.
She started back snatched her
hand from him, clenched her fist, and
struck her breast with it. How dare
you! You-you-the escaped convict.
Go on; I will follow. You nave in
suited me-
He obeyed. But as he walked back
to Morwell ahead of her, he was not
cast down. Eve, in the garnet, had
that day opened a Golfer and made
discovery. He, too, on the down, had
wrenched open for one moment fast
closed heart, had looked in. and made
a discovery.
When Barbara reached her home
she rushed to her room, where she
threw herself on her bed, and beat
and beat again, with her fists, her
head and breast, and said, 4 hate-T
hate and despise myself! I hate-on,
how I hate myself
CHAPTER Xxx.
PerpIex ty.
Barbara was reused early next morn
ing by Eve; Eve had oversight herself
when she ought to be up; she woke
and rose early when another hour of
rest would have been a boon to poor
Barbara. The sisters occupied ad-
joining rooms that communicated and
the door was always open between
them When Eve was awake she
would not suffer her sister to sleep on
She stopped over her and kissed her
closed eyes tn she woke. Eve had
thrown open the window and the
sweet fresh air blew in. The young
girl was not more than half dressed.
She stood by Barbara's bed with her
lovely hair dishevelled about her head,
forming a halo of Ted-gold glory to her
face That face was lovely with its
delicate roses of health and happiness
and the blue eyes twinkling in it full
Of life and fun. Her neck was eX-
posed. Shee folded her slender arms
round Barbara's head and shook it,
and kissed again, till the tired, sleep,
stupefied girl awoke.
/ cannot sleep this lovely morning
said Eve; then, with true feminine non
seQu tur: So you must get up, Barbie.
oh, Eve, is it timer Barbara sat up
in bed instantly wide awake. Her
sister seated herself on the side of the
bed and laid her hand in her lap.
Eve. exclaimed Barbara suddenly
what have you thereon your finger.
Who gave you that"
1t is ring. Bah. IS it not beaut.
full, a forget-me-not of turquoise set in
a circIet Of goId?',
Who gave it you, Eye?'
A pixy gift.' laughed the girl care
lessly.