Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-01-20
Continued.

"so." he said, che has shown his
hand so soon. Ny darling I expected
this, but not so soon. He asked you
to marry him! What did you say?"
4 said,' replied Stella, then hest
tated and looked at him shyly. What
ought l to say"
THAT you would rather go down
to your grave" said Louis, solemnly.
Stella started, and looked at him
earnestly.
do you think he is so very bad a
man, them" she said, in a whisper.
IF I know anything Of the human
face and the story it tells, I am GER
tain that Sir Richard Wildfang's
heart is as black as his eyes. But
remember I am his successful rival,
and therefore not impartial. Tell
me, what did you say"
81 said no." replied Stella, gently.
"My own, brave girl murmured
Louis. No, plainly, straig1tfor-
wardIy, unconditionally?"
Stella flushed and turned pale, and
half started with vague alarm.
No." she hesitated; then, in a
SDw. hurried voice, she added, turning
ing to him and touching his arm with
@ gentle, imDIoriug appeal for him to
make all allowance: mo, I did not.
DO not look so grave. Remember how
clever, how acute, how willy he is.
g
ed in chicanery and all the arts
which conquer the weak; and well,
] am only a weak girl when I am
away from you. He talked as Ne.
phistoDheIes might have talked; SO
quietly, so sanity, so dangerously
softly, that l felt like bird under the
spell of snake. I fought hard and
long, but ! gained only half a vic
tory"
Louis turned and caught her arm.
WHAT he said, his face turning
pale with passionate alarm. You
you did not tell him you might marry
him?'
Yes, Oh q condition, which can
never occur Louis, | promised to
marry him if-if--oh, I cannot say
it,
Tell me quickly, my darling, you
are torturing me-" exclaimed Louis,
hoarsely.
IF you proved false or-or dishon-
orabIe!" faltered Stella.
My own brave, clever girl" he
exclaimed, taking both her hands and
breathing a profound sigh Of relief.
- sce-to get rid Of him you prom
Used to perform an impOssibiIity, for
it is impossibility for you to marry
him. if another impOssibiIity-fOr it,
is an impOssibility for me to prove
gaIse-came to pass. Clever. beauti-
fuI Stella. Oh, foolish, wicked Sir
Richard, why did he not get you to-
make some other condition? Say
when the night changed to day, the
moon became green cheese, or the
Thames caught fire. All these might
happen before that one event upon
which his hope hinges can come to
pass. False to you, Stella, my star,
my angel! Not in life or death"
He bent over her hands and kissed
them till they ttngled, Stella looking
down upon him with a happy smile
which shOne through living tears.
You forgive me then?' she said.
Forgive you? l know not how to-
express my awe at your genius. |
knew you were an angel at heart as
we'll as in face, but I did not think
you were a diplomat! Poor Sir Rich
ard! Dislike him as l do, I fell in
clined to pity him! For it is a dread
sll thing to have lost you, and il his
hope of gaining you rests upon my in
fidelity, then he has sold himself to
despair! Dry your eyes my darl-
ing. Sir Richard has outwitted him
self and love has conquered"
yes" said Stella, with Il happier
smile. But now did he come to
to know that you"
Loved you? Why, all the world
might see it if it only looked" he
responded But there is no occa-
sion for alarm. Sir Richard will keep
his own counsel, be assured. He will
not disclose our secret to Mrs. New
ton for a very good reason. Any
definite action of her part might com.
pei us to action on ours"
Stella looked alarmed.
What do you mean?" he asked.
Il mean" he replied, that not all
the world shall part us, and that you
are mine in spite of everything"
1t was a lovers speech. and meant
nothing sinister. but Stella was re
minded of it afterward, and reading it
in a distorted light of twisted circum-
stances, judged him by it.
But" he resumed, quickly, an
xious to change the subject, which he
saw distressed her, Il must relate my
experiences. You do not ask me
why I went to town, sweetest?"
Because you pleased; that is SUI,
9cient reason for a man." replied
Stella WITH naive smile.
mo. I did not please" he said. Il
went because I was compelled. I
went on business"
"Business?" said Stella, with all
mistress interest in her lovers con-
Germs.
Yes: YOU must know that I am a
party in a celebrated lawsuit, which IS
10 determine nothing less than a
large sum of money-Oh, an enormous
sum-if the lawyers have left any
thing of the origiuar amount In
fact. to cut q long story. short, it viii
soon be decided whether t am to be