Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-07-23

something else tOO-found a piece or
paper in my own handwriting; a let
ter from youi
" My fingers trembled violently as
unfolded the paper and read it.
Gretchen, it was the letter to you, for
the answer to which I had waited in
vain-that time just before our en-
gagement was broken. The loss of that
answer had strengthened me in my
belief that you no longer loved me.
How can | tell you what | felt as
made that discovery? 1 was seized by
feeling OF helpless rage. That even
ing | shed bitter tears in my lonely
room over my mistake, my ruined
life. Again and again [ recalled the
last sentence Of one Of your earlier
letters: Wilhelm, if any one should
tell you any evil OF me, do not be-
lieve it. for you know that no one in
your Crete. should be the most mis-
cradle creature in the world if you
could ever love me less than you do
now-but that is impossible!"
thought of these simple words con-
stantly; then your pale face, with the
sad eyes which looked at me so ques-
tioningly, so reproachfully, came up
before me. 1t was fortunate that the
woman who had cheated me out Of
the dearest thing on earth was not
then at home.
Gretchen, how did she manage to
get this letter into her hands? Oh,
how much misery would have been
spared to you and myself if it lad only
reached its destination And yet,
could not throw all the blame on her.
Why was | so weak; why did | suffer
myself to be blinded by the coQuet-
fish beauty? All I am ashamed,
Gretchen; forgive me, forgive me en-
tireIy, for I have really suffered ter
ribly!
But to proceed. Ruth came back
more reckless than ever, more neg
'lectful of her child and Of me. The
journey had been only a pretext.
could see from her whole manner
how greatly she Ionged to strip off the
hateful letters. Her beautiful eyes
were always seeking a pretext. She
seemed to me like a beast Of prey,
ready at any moment for a spring.
One day the desired opportunity
came. Ruth had accepted an invita-
ton to a dinner in the country, which
| had declined. I was disguised with
this farce; l could not go about pre-
tending to Je the happy bridegroom
when / was so far from feeling the
part. | was sitting at my writing
table, writing something on business,
or a letter to Bergen, can't remem-
Der now exactly; then my thoughts
took the direction they so often took
now, toward You. | took your picture
out of my pocket book, took your let
| tiers out of the secret drawer Of my
desk, and was soon lost in the memory
| of that wonderful time when they
were written. | had forgotten every
thing around me, when | was startled
by the voice of the child crying out in
the nursery, and found it only a false
alarm-the little fellow was already
laughing on his nurses lap. Thinking
of your letters, l went quickly back;
and as I entered my room l caught a
glimpse of the train Of Ruth's pale
yellow silk dress just disappearing be-
hind the dark pOrtfere. l hurried af-
ter her. and asked If she wished to
speak to me. She was standing in
the next room in grande toilette. Her
little hands were clenched, and her
dark eyes were fixed on me with a
look of indescribable hatred and con-
tempt. Then she began to play her
part, and to tell the truth, she was
such a finished actress that for a mo-
ment even was deceived.
" Don't touch mel" she cried.
what do you want of me? want no
thing of you" and with her dress
trailing behind her she left the salon,
where I remained behind, not know
ing what to make of it. Soon l heard
her drive away, and I did not see her
till the next day in the nursery. had
been on duty the whole morning, and
was now longing for a sight of the
unconscious little fellow. She did not
return my greeting. After a while she
said she wished to speak to me;
would I come to her? An hour later
went to her in her boudoir. She was
standing at the window, tearing the
lace of her fine handkerchief.
Il have had enough of this eX-
istence with YOU" she said abruptly.
4 cannot bear it any longer to see
my self deceived and betrayed. Hither-
to I. have tried to believe myself mis-
taken; but for some time now I have
been certain that you are deceiving
me- I will drive to my parents, and I
beg you to accompany me. l must
have this matter settled today, or I
shall go mad
." Very WE'LL I replied; cal
though at present I have not the
slightest idea what you mean by this
speech. But l think, myself. that it
will be better that we should settle
something. I will go and order the
carriage"
I went, raCkIng my brains to dis
cover what she could mean by de
ceived and betrayed Then We sat 81
Iently side by side in the carriage.
How could I imagine what plans and
intrigues were being plotted in that
beautiful head which lay back on the
soft cushions with an air Of injured
innocence. What her plan was, you
yourself have experienced, Gretchen.
This brilliant idea had come to her
the day before when she saw your
letters lying on my writing-table,
while I had gone to the child for
moment. She made use of them. to the