Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-02-03


Sir Richard glanced at Stella as
one who should say:
You see it is only too true. He
thinks you safe within his clutches
Then, as Louis came upon the group,
and stopped to stare with increduIous
| establishment, Sir Richard advanced
toward him with clinched hands ana
compressed lips.
Louis stared at him, then advanced
to stella.
Miss Newton-Stella, what is ali
this? Why are you here? Sir Richard
Wildfang, too! What does it all
mean?"
Sir Richard, with an anxiety not
disinterested, interrupted him hast
lily.
1t means, sir, that your viIIainy Is
unmasked; that Miss Newton knows
I YOU now for what you really area
! base, criminal adventurer"
Stop" said voice, that was SteI-
| las, yet so unlike, so dreadfuIIy
calm that it might have belonged to
an automaton. And she, with an ex,
pressiye gesture, motioned Sir Rich
ard aside, and, advancing, confronted
Louis with a white, drawn face, ana
dark, accusing eyes.
1T means, sir" she said, in regular
metaIis tones. that one you had
succeeded in deceiving is now de-
ceiVed; that one whom you taught to
love you has now learned to hate you;
that one who would have given her
| life to have purchased you an hours
happiness would now give her life to
secure your punishment. 1t means that
from trusting girl you have trans
formed me by your baseness to an
insulted woman. All this it means, and
this much more, that, having escaped
your mercenary clutches, the woman
you attempted to deceive has learned
the bitter lesson Of a wasted love anG
a wasted life. Go, sir, from my path
foreyermore.. Should you cross it again
beware! I shall find some means vi
resenting the insult Of your pres
ence."
Then she let the hand fall which
she had raised in denunciation, and
turned
Louis stood for a moment, white
and statuesque with astonishment.
then he passed his hand across his
forehead, looked up at the clear sky
to assure himself chat it was not a
dream, and held out both hands i'm
pIoringIy.
stella! Tell me what it all means!
How have l Wronged you-how de-
ceived?"
Stella turned again, her face lit up
with passionate scorn.
would you have me recite the
story Of your vile p1ot?" she asked,
huskiIy. Look within your own
heart and read il its baseness thf
reason for my accusation!'
This is Madness" he said. Vile
lOt-baseness!-Of what do you ac-
cuse me?"
of the yiIest dishonor." said Stel-
Ia, confronting him. DO you ask for
proofs? Seek them in the confession
OF your tool and accompIice who has
sought safety in flight; seek them IN
the evidence that remains-that car
rage"
carriage." repeated
Louis. stella, that carriage-oh.
listen, I beseech YOU" For Stella had
taken the arm which Sir Richard had
in stern silence offered her, and
though stung through all his soul by
the sight, Louis still spoke calmly ana
humbIy
4 have heard too much of your
bonied words; they can deceive me no
longer" said Stella, coIdIy, over her
shoulder.
This much you shall tell mel" eX-
claimed Louis springtng forward his
face white with passion, his teeth
clinched, and his eyes blazing and l
ask it from your false lips Sir Rich
ard Wildfaug" And as he spoke he
grasped Sir Richards arm. How
came you here-both she and you?"
ASK your own conscience" said
Stella, faltering for the first time.
Did you not write me a letter."
Il did said Louis.
Enough" exclaimed Sir Richard
He confesses his baseness. Leave US,
sir, if you have the slightest vestige
of honor remaining!"
Louis drew himself up, and. casting
a look Of scornful contempt upon the
all anxious face of Sir Richard ap-
pealed to Stella.
Miss Newton, do you also say
'go'?"
4 dO!'' said Stella.
You cast me Off-forever?"
Forever" said Stella.
He said not another word. but
crossing his arms. stepped from their
path, and watched them with set,
stonelike face, until they were lost
to him around the curve of the road.
He waited even after that for the
space of five minutes, then he turned
and walked with slow, measured pace
up his own carriage entrance.
He slowly climbed the broad stone
steps up which he had, so short time
since, and so proudly led his beauti-
ful Stella, and, with the same indies,
crlhaDIe expression of concentrated,
deadly calm, pushed open the door
and entered the antique dining room.
He stood before the fire musing for
few moments, thinking OF all he had
lost and the mySteriouS ipay-pIico HI,