Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-08-11
! I, and you and Diana ara mar

/
DO you mean to suggest that they
may not take p;ace?" asked Seymour.
smiling.
Who knows?"
Then there is a doubt?" said Sey-
mour sWeetly "On which side is it?
| Not Oh yours, I'm sure"
| Seymour went back to the sofa,
painting with suppressed fury.
Well" said Diana, "is It all ar
ranged? Swords or pistols?"
Heavens! If it were only possible"
| I'm going to my room now. You
can come ar. say what you want TO
me uD there"
Good" he replied.
Good might, Guy" she said. Glow
bored and ill-tempered you look. Lcr.
RE isn't really i'll, you know. Don't
upset yourself more than your. can
help"
! AS he went upstairs to the earls
room, he passed Lorrie's door, and
Tor moment paused and stretched
out his hands yearningly.
The earl was seated before the lire
In his dressing-gown. He looked up
as Guy came in.
Guy, I'm a wretched man"
why do you say that, sir?"
Because am too wretched to keep
my misery to myself have seen to-
night how it is with you'll I've seen
how 1t Is with you, and--I am fright
ened."
frightened, sir?" ="
Yes, frightened. had thought that
Things We're working well with US
that you mad forgotten the past and
were contenteu and happy. But-but
l see it all! Guy, you love that little
girl still! Can you deny it?"
Why do you torture me, sir?'
The earl put out his hand appealing
ly
Guy remained silent. ~
And she, too-she loves you'll" said
the old man.
oh say no more for heavens
sake!" exclaimed Guy hoarsely. "Of
what use is all this!"
The earl raised his head. Guy. it
Is not too late! You are divided, and
1t is l who did iH but l had not
seen her. I cannot get her sweet face
out of my mind! My first thought
should be Of you, and your welfare;
but it is not! 1t is Of her l think! Guy,
her heart is breaking. l have done
it! 1t must not be- will Undo all I
have done! You shall go to her"
in, hor
That would do no good! You do
not know her! She has given her
promise to that-that man, and she
will keep it, though her heart Is
breaking"
Il will go to her. She will listen to
on old man who has wronged her."
Too late!" said Guy "You forget
that I, too, am fettered. have given
my word, and Latcham does not
break his promise lightly. Yox think
i think-only of Lorrie, but Di.
ana"
The old man bowed his bead.
What have done, Guy?"
"You have acted according to your
lights said Guy.
AS he spoke he passed his hand
across his face swiftly, but could not
conceal the misery which shone in his
eyes.
The old man. saw it and rose with
dignity
mo" he said. "No, it is not too
late. Latcham shall not be saved by
your destruction! No good can come
Of such a marriage as yours and Di-
ana's and it shall not be. What Is
Latcham, what is all the world to me,
compared with your happiness?
thought differently awhile ago, but
my eyes are opened now. You shall
marry the girl you love, Guy!"
''Too late, sir. My word, my honor
is pledged. 1 shall marry Diana Mel
ford!"
AS he spoke the window adjoining
was opened, and the sound of voices
came distinctly to their ears. Both
men looked toward the heavily cur.
tanned window and listened.
Are you going to faint now?"
1t was Seymour's voice, hard and
sneering. and Dianas retort, bitterly:
mo! Why did you tell me with
such brutal sudderness? When did
you know this, and how?"
Yesterday" replied Seymour. II
went into his Office to fetch letter.
His private account book was open on
his desk-left there by accident; he
has been drinking heavily for the last
nlonth-and-"
you examined it?"
Il examined it," he assented "The
items reused my suspicious / opened
the safe and got out his papers. and
was not long In arriving at the truth.
The great Mr.. Melford-the success.
full financier and milljonaire-is a
fraud! He has been on the brink of
ruin for years-he is ruined"
The earl started, but Guy laid his
hand upon his arm.
I'VE are listening, Guy" said the
old man in an agony