Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-12-24

ask, SAID JdSpSI5 euL6TIDS LIE IOOLu,
holding a wax candle in each hand.
He had intercepted the maid, Jane,
with the candles, taken them from
her, and as she opened the door, en-
tered, to hear Barbara's question. The
girl turned, dropped one arm, but
chung with the other to her father,
who had just placed one of his hands
on her head. Her eyes, from having
been so long in the dark, were very
large. She was pale, and her cheeks
glistened with tears.
She was too astonished to recover
herself at once, dazzled by the strong
light; she could not see Jasper, but
she knew his voice.
He put the candlesticks-they were
Of silver-on the table, shut the door
behind him, and standing before Mr..
Jordan with bowed head, his earnest
eyes fixed on the old mans face, he
said again, Yes, that is what I have
come to ask Where is Ewes mother?'
No one spoke. Barbara recovered
herself first; she rose from the stool,
and stepped between her father and
the steward.
TT is not you she said, who have
a right to ask questions. It is we who
have to call you to account
For what, Miss Jordan?' He spoke
to her with deference-a certain tone
of reverence which never left him
when addressing her.
You must give an account of your
self she said
4 am just returned from Buckfast-
leigh he answered.
And, pray, how is your father who
was dying?' she asked, with a curl of
her lip and a culver Of contempt in
her voice.
He is WE'LL replied Jasper. 4 was
deceived about his sickness. He has
not been i'll. was sent on fools err
rand
Then, said Mr. Jordan, who had
recovered himself. what about the
money"
The recovery Of that is as distant
as ever, but also as certain
Mr.. Jasper Babb,' exclaimed Igna-
| thus Jordan, you have not been to
Buckfastleigh at all You have not
seen your father; you have deceived
nae with
Barbara hastily interrupted him,
saying with beating heart, and with
color rising to her pale cheeks, I
pray you, pray you, say no more. We
know very well that you have not left
this neighborhood.'
I do not understand you, Miss Jor-
dan am but just returned. My horse
is not yet unsaddled'
Not another word exclaimed the
girl, with pain in her voice. Not
another word if you wish US to retain
a particle of regard for you. l have
pitied you, l have excused you, but ii
| you lie-I have said the word, I can
not withdraw 1T give you up Fire
was in her heart, tears in her throat.
| I will speak said Jasper. I value
your regard, Miss Jordan, above every
thing that the world contains. can
not tamely lose that. There has been
misrepresentation. How it has arisen
l do not know, but arisen it has, and
dissipated it shall be- It is true, as
| said, that l was deceived about my
fathers condition, wilfully, malicious
ly deceived. l rode yesterday to Buck
fastleigh, and have but just returned.
If my father had been dying you
would not have seen me here so soon
We cannot listen to this We can
not endure this cried Barbara. Will
you madden me, after all that has
been done for you. 1t is cruel, oTuelp
Then, unable to control the flood of
tears that rose TO her eyes, she left
the room and the glare of candles.
Jasper approached Mr.. Jordan. He
had not lost his self-restraint. 7 do
not comprehend this charge of false
hood brought against me. I can bring
you a token you will not dispute. He
has told me who your second wife
was. She was my sister. Will ,-ou do
me the justice to say that you believe
me?'
Yes answered the old man, faint
".
May l recall Miss Jordan? l can
not endure that she should suppose
me false
If you WILL
One word more. Do you wish our
kinship to be known to her, or is it
to be kept a secret, at least for a
while?
Do not tell her
Then Jasper went out into the hall.
Barbara was there, in the window,
looking out into the dusk through the
dull old glass Of the lattice.
Miss Jordan said he, L have vent
ured to ask you to return to your
father, and receive his assurance
that l spoke the truth
But exclaimed Barbara, turning
roughly upon him, you were on the
Raven Rock with my sister at sun
set, and your brother planted at the
gate to watch against intruders.'
My brother?'
Yes, a boy.
I do not understand you
It is true. I saw him. / saw you
Eve confessed it. What do you say to
that?'
Jasper bit his thumb.