Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-09-16


sigh. 81 have quarreled with Lu-
with the Marchioness Of Merle!'-
At the name Harry WINGED and
sank back.
''Why did you quarrel with her?
he said, after a pause, during which
he recalled the morning Lucille and
he had seen Marie watching from the
terrace. A feverish desire to hear OF
Lucille possessed him, though the
mention Of her name sent a thrill
through him. and the remembrance
that she was the Marchioness OF
Merle tortured him. why did you
quarrel with herr" he repeated his
dark eyes, rendered unnaturally
bright and piercing by his Illness
fixed upon her.
Marie put her hand to her eyes.
"Must I tell you all?'
eyes. tell me ALL" he said. Il an
not weak now can bear it. It is al
mystery to newly you are here
why YOU have spent all these weary
hours by my bedside? why-tell me
all"
81 have left the Court, and Lucille
because Of the Marquis Of Merle
she said with a sigh. "The marquis
Is no friend of mine, and he knows It
was opposed to Lucille's marrying
him. and he knew that. Mr.. Herne,
distrusted the Marquis of Merle, and
I did my best to dissuade Lucille from
marrying him, although and she
sighed, and her head dropped, "it was
to nv interest that she should do so.
Your INTEREST,"" said Harry. "Why
was if to your interest that they
anouId marry?"
II cannot tell you that now;
perhaps I shall never find courage.
All! don't press me-"
'"Why did she marry him" he de
manded hoarseIy. Did she-iov*
him?" and his hand clinched.
Marie shook her he.9
4 don't know; sometimes I think
she did: sometimes I doubt it, and am
inclined TO believe that it was for the
sake of the title!"
Harry covered his face with his
hands.
ooh, Heaven: that she should Ue
so false! Sink so low! For the title!"
He laughed wildly, bitterly.
"Ts that SOP" he said. us there no
truth in woman-in any Of you? And
she, Lucille! I would not have be-
Heved it! Oh, there was some other
reason! Why, LUCILLE
He broke off with a sigh and COW
cred his ewes again.
Flush. hush!' she exclaimed soft
Iy. "You must no excite yourself,
or you will be i'll again I know all,
and my heart bleeds at the sight Of
your suffering
'You-you know alI?'' he said, look
ing at her. "You know that I"
Yes she replied in a low, sad
voice. 81 know that you loved her!
know that you went away because
you thought that you would not tempt
her to marry beneath her! I know it
all, Mr.. Herne! All. pity you.'
Don't pity me" he said, roughly.
And you knew alIthis? I thought,
forgive me. that you were not friendly
toward me-"
'T!" she exclaimed, with a look Of
angelic reproach.
q not friendly to you! All! this is
cruel."
He watched her, puzzled, amazed,
heartsore.
You thought I was unfriendly be-
cause I did not warn you that you
were pouring out your true love like
water upon one who was unworthy
of you"
DO you mean LucilIe?" he almost
shouted. do you dare to say that?"
She looked at him pityingIy, tender
ly.
HAS she not married the Marquis
Of Merle, and forgotten you and the
the truest, nobIest love that ever w0-
man Won"
"Yes-she forgot me-" he assented.
sinking back. so soon! So soon! u
it had been any other man I warned
her against; this man who was my
foe-the man who had struck me in
her presence. Oh, Heaven, it is
hard"
"Hush!' she whispered. "Try to for
get her; to sleep"
He laughed harshly.
Sleep! Not till I have heard it all.
And you tried to persuade her not to
marry this-this man? And she
would not! Her heart was so set up
on IT that your warning Oh Une TOP OF
mine went for nothing. Oh, woman!
How false, how tickle! Such a little.
while ago!" and he laid with the
which possessed him.
And then you left her?" he said
presently.
yes, left her" she assented. 81
could not remain and witness their
happiness while the thought OF your
misery remained with me. It would
have been more than I could have
borne
"And you came here?' he said.
Il met them as thev were bringing
you here. and prayed them to let
me come viii yoU-forgiye me''-and
her eyes seemed to I'll with tears.
He groaned.
Forgive you," he said. Put for
you, I should have lost al faith in
womanhood. But. stilL it is q mystery
why you stayed. Why did you not
send for a nurse?"
She set NJ, and turned her head
aw6W.
I win 90 away TO- . little while