Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-02-20

ing uer5elL ny giving THAT SNOW OIL du-
dress before her father, who, seated
upon a bench, looked at ner and
sometimes also looking at the sky.
Beatrice worn out, was herself seated
a few PAGES distant in the shadow
of a group of shade trees.
After a moment, Fabrice spoke in
a kindly voice:
"Marcelle."
The child ran to him.
4 am afraid that you Will find it too
chilly. You had better go in, 10 you
not think 500"
immediately"
yes. I wish you would, my child"
very well, I will 60 in, father"
He took her upon his knees.
TT is good to be wise, my child
You will promise me to be always so,
will you not?"
4 promise you"
Even when I shall not be here?"
eyes, but why are you going away?"
4 have so much need Of rest, my
child"
Can you not take me with your"
81 would like to very much" Fa-
brice murmured.
Then take me-
1T is not possible, my little one, go
in now"
Are you going for long timer"
the child continued.
For some time. do not know how
long. Go now my child"
He kissed her and said:
present or absent, you will al
ways love me, will you not?"
always, I promise you
She left him to go to Beatrice whom
she Kissed, then returning to her ia
Their she said, IN a low tone:
"She is crying"
He held her by the hand, and after
a short silence, said to her I'M grave
voice:
"You must love your mother also,
very much"
81 promise you," said the chill.
She walked away pensively and en-
tered the house.
At the same time Fabrice heard
suppressed sob, and Beatrice, coming
out from the shadow, threw herself
upon her knees before him upon the
gravel of the walk
81 beg of you, Beatrice!" said he, in
a severely reproachful tone, trying to
raise her.
"Ah!" cried she through her tears,
Christ has pardGned!"
But. l pardom you. Did you hear
what | just said to my daughter?
know that you have suffered very
much during. these last days. There
are besides times in ones life when
one is induIgent. arise. Be seated by
me-"
Uncertain, stupefied, she seated her
self by the side of Fabrice.
Beatrice" he continued, ''you have
my pardon. Do you need anything
more? Speak"
81 need one thing-that you live.
Heavens!"
Are you sure Of it? Are you very
sure that you will not despise me to-
morrow for acceding today to your
prayer?"
"Despise you? How could I? Do I
mot know that you are free; that you
have been reIeased?"
Would you never say, Beatrice,
that another in MY place would have
shown himself to be more scrupulous
upon a point Of hOnor?'
mo more, l beg of you, do not
crush me, my friend. Have pity on
me. All that is so hard I who love you
so much; heavens and who do not
dare tell you so, because you would
believe that I lied but to save you
from death; but, however, before God,
it is true that I love you!"
And, weeping, she raised her arms
in a transport of grief toward the dark
azure filled with gIittering constelIa-
tons
There was a long ana troubled 81
lence. troubled only by the sound OF
her sobs; then Fabrice said in deep
Iy affected voice:
q believe you."
She seized his hand.
Yes" he continued, that word
which have desired so much to hear
from your lips l have heard at last
and I feel that it is sincere. You love
me A thuRderbolt should strike me
at this instant because I do not thank
Heaven less for it, for that single
minute that l have so long dreamed
Of"
She kissed his hands, sobbing.
Beatrice said he, softly disengag-
ing himself, "aIl this is unexpected.
You see that because of it have lost
my calmness, almost my reason. Let
me gather my thoughts a little, beg
you. You defy, very justly the resolu-
lions taken under control of such an
emotion Come, go into your salon.
will JON you Immediately and we will
talk seriously about it."
She leaned upon his arm, and he
led her to the first step of the outer
staircase As she hesitated at parting
from him, and looked fxedly at him,
he drew her to him and kissed her
hair
Immediately" said he, smiling.
She seated herself in the salon near
the open window, and followed him
in the garden with her eye. For long
time he walked with a slow step. At
times he would disappear in the deep
shadow of the trees, and Beatrice
would rise, Mortified, until he would