Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-07

grasp. 81 meant to go without {
word, leaving you to think what yoJ
liked; but It's too late. l have seer
you-and the sight of you has rob
bed me of all strength. This mys
terry shall be cleared up; yes, though
it should break both our hearts
Now, tell me-telI me all! Why dc
you shrink from me as if I were {
criminal? Ah,"-for she covered
and leaned against the tTee-'you
think I am one! You think! Lu
cille-Heaven forgive you'll know
what is passing in your mind! AND
you could think me guilty."
His eyes seemed to pierce hel
very soul; his words rang in hel
heart, and filed her with a wild
sudden hope.
Harry" she cried. ooh, no! no!
you were not innocent?"
It almost seemed as if she dread
ed-now that it was too late-tc
hear that he was not guilty.
81 innocent!-of what?" he de
manded, fiercely.
From your own lips I will hear
it! What is it that I am charged
with?"
Unheard by either of them, man
had come down the path, and now
stood beside them.
1t was the marquis. White to the
lips, he stood leaning upon his stick,
his hands clinched tightly, his eyes
glancing from one to the other with
fendish hate.
"Soh, my LADY," he said at last.
Lucille shrieked and staggered,
and Harry, dropping her hands, turn
ed and confronted him, speechIess,
choking.
"Soh." said the marquis, between
his set teeth, and a thousand words
could not have conveyed an insult
more emphatic, more brutal than
was compressed in this one. "This
is the object of your solitary walks.
May I ask how often you have met
this scoundreI?"
Lucille stood speeches., over
whelmed, and Harry could find no
words, he could only stare at the
white, hooking face.
"You leave me to find out, my
lady! Good! It shall be my bust
ness to do so. Permit me, mean
while, to compliment you upon your
choice of a lover"
Lucille uttered a low cry.
ct is not every one who is for
tunate enough to cherish a pencil
ant for a common thief, an uncon-
victed felon!"
Harry swayed forward, but held
| back almost as his hands were at
the mans throat.
cat last" he painted Face to
face. at last! You called me, mar
quis, a thief'-the words left his
lips one by one like tcicles-'and
you"-turning a swift, reproachfuI
burning glance upon LuctIIe-"you
think me one! What you refused
to tell me the marquis will, and
SHALL"
The words rang out low and clear,
and his heart burned with an indig-
nant fire.
The marquis lips curled with a
sneer.
Remarkably well done" he said.
"You think it will impose upon her
Iadyship, no doubt, but it does not
impose upon me, and I doubt whe-
Their it will succeed with the jury
that tries you."
Lucille wrung her hands.
Mercy" she gasped.
Not a world" said Harry, stern
ly.
"SiIence!" Kissed the marquis.
Mercy Do you think I will spare
him-after this! Had he kept out
of my sight and yours, he might
have gone free and unpublished, but
he has dared to cross my path, and
he pays the penalty. Before many
days have passed, my lady, I shall
have the satisfaction of seeing your
lover in the feIOn's dock"
Lucille covered her face with her
hands and moaned; but Harry, set
ting his teeth, stood motionIess, and
with a terrible calmness, said:
I'm a felon's dock! On what
charge, my lord?"
His composure seemed to madden
the marquis.
enlarged with breaking into my
house, ruf1an, and stealing my
pIate."
Harry kept his eyes fixed upon
the hard, vindictive face.
"SteaIing-your pIate?" he said.
yes, The evidence is complete
can put my hand upon the girl
your accompIice, the girl who con-
veyed to you the word which IN
locked my plate chest the girl Su-
sic, who disappeared with you!
What! You stand there ant dare
me! Ask her." and he pointed to
Lucille who found my property in
your cottage, whether there is a
chance of escape for you?"
Harry turned to Lucille, his eyes
full of pity now.
"LucilIe." he cried. you thought
me guilty! YOU" and he caught
her hand
The marquis uttered an oath, and
raised the heavy stick to strike him;
but Harry turned and caught It,
poised it for a moment with an awful
light in his eyes; then, finging it from
him, seized the marquis by the