Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-06-03
Love $ Conquest
y CHARLES CARVIx
y CHARLES CARVd



he died but he knew that the day
would come when, overmastered by
his love, he would draw that scorn
down upon him"
There was silence for a second,
while he took breath, then he went
on in a low voice:
What was there left for him, for
this madman, Miss Darracourt, but to
go away? Go where he would, he
must carry his wound with him.
While there was sight in his eyes
and memory in his brain, he would
see her and hear ner, though he put
miles between her and him; but at
least he could go away and save him
self the misery Of knowing that she
knew his secret and scorned him!"
Miss Darracourt, I have told you
the story of this mans madness. He
was a coward, you will say! An,
yes, I know that! l have nothing but
contempt for him myself. He ought
to have crushed his folly under his
feet-Ought to have remembered that
he was lower even than her servants,
and stamped out the love which was
an insult to her. eYs, he knew that
as we'll as you and I do, but he could
not, and so, perhaps, after all, he
was not such a coward when he fed
as he might have been if he had
stayed. There was only one thing
He paused and his ace darkened. IF
( hg h. -fg bO
| some joy, some hidden delight in
watching over her. For this lady he
! loved was almost alone in the world
with no friend to guard her. And
| there were dangers in her path, Of
which, though he could not tell their
full extent, he knew something. There
was one man, a near neighbOr of
hars--a nObleman-of whom he knew
more than she did This man was
base and false! He might have stayed
and guarded her, but he dared not!
The most he could do was to utter a
word Of warning"
He paused and looked up at the
sky: the rain was still coming down,
but no longer with it's former VIC
lence, and here was a rift in the
clouds through which the sun was
struggling braVeIy.
My story ends with the rain, he
said. 81 am afraid that it has not
amused you, after all, Miss Darra-
court" and she emila7 I'll ---:~"1ed
sadness and bitterness
Lucille maze no movement, nor
said a word.
There ought to be a sequel, l sup
pose he said, slowly. Il could tell it
in a few words The lady fell in
love with one OF her own class. was
married, and lived happy ever after
ward, as she deserved to be, Heaven
bless herl The maxwell, he left
the place which had become home to
him, and turned wanderer on the
face Of the earth. And everywhere
he went, her goodness was ever in his
heart, and day and night he thought
of her, and his love grew instead Of
diminishing, and so he lived unhappy
ever afterward, as he deserved to
be!'
1T has nearly let off" he said.
there will be no more. I do hope you
are not wet"
Still she remained without moving a
limb.
Are you ready, Miss Darracourt?"
he said, gently. Il am anxious that
you should get home now. I houId
not like to think that you had come
to harm in my keeping! That would
be a sad thought for me to take away
with mel"
Undo this" she said, and her soft.
clear voice was almost harsh.
He came up to her, and put his
hand upon the coat sleeve.
Are you angry with me?" he muir
INJURED. DO not be. l shall soon be
gone!'
Lucille, who still fumbled at the
knot, let her hands fall, and her eyes
met his. Her lips opened as if she
was about to speak, then closed
again.
You are not wet, thank heaven!"
he said, devoutly. q should never
have forgiven myself if you had
caught cold! Come now, Miss"
But she hung back, her eyes fixed
as if she were looking beyond him,
her hands clasped nervously.
"Ah, you are angry" he said, with
a swift contraction of the brows. BE
patient with me; bear with me for
day, the last time! Don't let me go
with a hard word Of yours in my
memory"
Then she spoke-harshly, almost
hoarsely. she murmured:
DO not go! Do not go!' she re-
peated.
He put out his hand, almost plead
ingly. as if to stop her from saying
any more; but she paid no heed to
The gesture. and went on hurriedly:
Il do not wish you to go-i wish
you to stay"
Huge drops gathered on his brow.
and his lips trembled. She stood be-
fore him, vision of loveliness-more
q woman melting in the fire OF a wo-
mas passion. Sc-e+h:-g. some evil
devil, whispered to him, She is yours
take her to your heart, oh. fool"
And for second he seemed to be
yielding 20 the tempter's voice: then,
with an effort that seemed 10 rive his
soul he said:
mo: I cannot stay-I must go!"
do not CO." she whispered again,
scarcely knowing what she said.