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

But before the words were clear Oh
his lips his face had changed, his
hands frightened spasmodically upon
the paper, at which he stared with
fixed and sorrowful regard.
Then he laid it down, having assur
edly read enough for that day.
ITO be married in September, To
him, the scheming scoundrel, who
played upon her and betrayed me! On
Stella. Stella! | would rather stand
beside your grave than beside you on
your wedding day. September, sep
temberi 1t is soon, too soon! Gan
she have forgotten me already, oi
have they succeeded in forcing hef
to marry him? No matter; she De
lieves me false, will do so until the
hour Of death. Then, of surety, VIII
eyes be opened, Or there is no justice
ander heaven. September, September
oh, Stella, Stella"
While the words were On his llps'
and his eyes were covered by his
hands, a footstep rang out on the
oaken threshold of the hut, and, look
ing up, the trapper saw a tall, dark
figure standing with it's back 10 tne
light, regarding him.
Your business, friend?" he said'
YEARLY.
The man turned his face slightly,
the trapper started, then sprang at
him-very much as the wolves
sprang at himself some nights when
he lay beside the stream watching
for the beaver-grasped him by the
throat and pinned him against the
wooded wall of the hut.
Stephen Hargrave! met at lsst!'
Master Louis" said the man, with
a deep, hoarse voice, we've met at
last because I've been seeking We, fol-
lowing in your tracks all these
months. Take your hand from my
throat master, till I've told all I've got
to tell, then ye can put your bowie
knife there instead"
Louis Felton's hand relaxed, and
he pointed to the stool.
"Sit there, and say what you've got
to say. Tell me one word that is false
one word that | know to be untrue
and I'll shoot you as / would a
dog!"
So they stood and sat, the grim Ste
phen Hargrave telling the story of
villany to the victim of it, standing
with his hand upon his gun.
The preparations for the wedding
hurried ON.
The middle Of September, which
seemed so happily far off to Stella
when she named the day which was
60 prove the consummation of Sir
Richards good fortune, drew near
with faithful hiGeous haste. Night
after night she woke from terrible,
agonizing dreams, in which she saw
her old lover lying dead at her feet
in which she felt herself locked in the
cold arms of statue in the shape and
guise of Sir Richard Wildfang:
dreams that threw their dark shadows
over her waking hours, and made her
cheek paler and her eyes more list.
less than ever.
The doctors-the same wise Great
ures who had declared Sir Richard
needed rest-opined that Miss New
ton would be benefited by the we'd
ding trip through Switzerland, and
with wise mods and shakes of the
head said that the sooner she was
married the better.
So the time flew by, and the day be-
fore the wedding fell upon her with a
suddenness which all the month of
preparation had not rendered less
appalling.
Great was the confusion, and in the
midst Of it the lawyers arrived to see
the settlement duly signed and exc.
cuted.
Lord Marmion, the young peer, was
to give his beautiful ward away and
he was there with the lawyers. all
smilingly affectionate, but not a little
uneasy and anxious at the pallor and
lnlderenceff of the bride. So uneasy
and anxious indeed, that when he
came into the drawing room, after
the grand dinner which had been
gwen as preparation to the festivi.
Ties which We're to follow on the
happy pairs return, he thought Stella
us she sat alone and in silence by that
window through which she had first
seen Louis FELTON,, and, with a sudden
oluntness which sent the blood to her
pale face, said:
stella. you won't mind me. I'm
your guardian, you know, though
am such youngster for that post
NOW, tell me the truth"
Certainly, Lord Marmion," sait
Stella, languidly moving her face I'M
smiling as she looked up at him will
a smile that was pitiful in it's wane
ness
Stella, tell me- would you like thi,
-this-wedding put OFF,"
A flush and an eager light Lit ND he
lace and eyes, and for the moment sb,
seemed almost to pour out her hear
10 MIN. but at that moment he
mothers voice. harsh, triumphant an,
strldent, smote her ear, and with al
her old coldness and apathy, sh
said:
NO; have no reason for postpon
ing it."
The young lord sighed looked A
ner interestingly, then rose, for tn
lawyers were announced.
There We're three of them, and the
came with their soft smiles and Gel