Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-08-05

and alone. I have reasons for advising
you to lose no more time. Goodnight"
And she glided past him.
The marquis went musingly up the
sieFs. He had resolved before she
had spoken TO play his last card that
night, and her words encouraged him.
The sound of music came through the
half-opened windows, and he stood
and he stood and looked within at
the magnificent room. Lucille was
seated almost within reach of him,
and quietly opening the window, he
bent and whispered her name.
She started and turned her face up
to him with an involuntary express
sion Of fear and dread that would have
discouraged the most ardent lover.
"Will you come outside a moment?"
he said. Il have something I wish to
tell you
She rose and stepped out, and he
closed the window behind them. She
shrank a little at the action, but he
drew near to her with his insidious
air Of respect and devotion.
Are you cold? Shall I get you
something warmer than that shawl?"
No; I am hot-burning hot!" she
replied with a forced laugh.
AT least, let me draw the shawl
round you!' and he attempted to do
so, but she threw it round her shout
ders with a quick, nervous gesture,
Lucille, are you afraid of me-" he
murmured, TeproachfulIy. his voice
sank to a soft whisper.
mo; oh, mol" she answered quickly.
What is it you wish 10 say to me?"
Something I have scarcely the
courage to utter" he replied. When.
ones heart is set so upon a thing
hat It beats one long throb of desire,
it is so difficult to speak. All, Lucille!
have you forgotten our compact?"
"Compact.2 she echoed. YEARLY,
apprehensiyely.
Yes he murmuTe3: our compact
If you have forgotten it. I have not
have thought of it, day and night,
since We made it. 1t has become my
most precious possession; it repre-
sents my only hope of happiness, now
and to come. Lucille, you know that
love you!"
She shuddered and drew back
little, but he followed her with a
stealthy, almost impreceptEble step,
his eyes fixed on her face, watching
it's every nYnraSsiOn
Il love you, Lucille, pas8ionately,
devotedly. I have loved you since
first saw you'll think you know that
You are the only woman that has
stirred the pulse of my heart"
He was going on with the. speech
he had rehearsed over his cigar, glib
ly, smoothly, but she stopped him
with gesture.
Not now-not now she said brok.
emily; "some other time. Do not
Diteously-''do net ask me now. it
is so short a time since"
Since We met! All, it seems an
age to me- Lucille, an age of mingled
torture and delight! Do not be hard
with me! Be my wife, Lucille; give
me your promise here, tonight"
NO, mol she painted. Not now!
Give me time His face darkened.
"Yon have, indeed. forgotten" he
said, significantly.
She shuddered and leaned against
tie baIustrade.
ct was only cold gratitude after
all. You meant nothing more than
civil Thank YOU Miss DarracOurt
Ald Eet it was i compact! WeiI, you
have broken it. You viii not complain
if I am forced to follow your ex,
ample?''
EilEg and soft as the voice was, it
contaira a threat. an she knew it.
Cold and trembling, she turned TO
him.
'.wrat do you mean? All. you can
n0t mean that you viii break your
word! You woQld not do that?"
Love such as mine makes a man
desperate." he retorted darkly.
Day and day you seem to be going
farther from me. You are surrounded
by men"
TO be continued.