Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-07-18

ton will you gentlemen pre-
\ sent mey'
l had assisted her to alight, and at
that time servant came and stood at
the horses head Stevenson stepped
back to the door. not having as yet
mentioned my presence there There
came out upon the gallery MS he en-
tered that other whose presence | had
for some moments known. whom
knew within the moment must meet
Ellen,
Her eyes fell upon me. She stepped
back with faint exclamation. leaning
against the wall, her hands nj her
cheeks as she stared | do not know
after that Who or what our specta-
tors were presume Stevenson went
on into the house To talk with Colonel
at that time.
The first to speak was Grace Shera-
ton, Tail, thin, darker than ever. it
seemed to me, and now with eyes
which tlickered and glittered MS | had
never seen them, she approached the
l
Miss Meriwether: believe l should
know you" she began, holding out her
hand.
This is Miss Grace Sheraton"
said to Ellen, and stopped Then |
drew them both Away from the door
and from the gallery, walking to the
shadows Of the long cow of elms which
shaded the street, where we would be
less observed.
For the first time in my life | saw
the two together and might compare
them. Without my will or wish
found my eyes resting upon Ellen,
Without my will or wish, fate, ma.
ture, love, know hot what. made Sc.
lection.
Ellen had not AS yet spoken Miss
Sheraton" l repeated to her finally,
lis the lady to whom am engaged to
be married"
The vicious Sheraton temper broke
bounds. There was more than half a
sheer on my fiancee's face Il should
easily know who this lady is" she said.
Ellen, flushed. perturbed, would have
returned to the gallery. but raised my
hand. Grace Sheraton went on. IAN
engagement is little. You and he.
am advised, lived rs man and wife.
forgetting that he and | were already
pledged as man and wife"
THAT is not true!' broke in Ellen,
her voice low and even. She ut least
had herself in hand and would toler-
ate no vulgar scene.
Il could not blame either OF you for
denying it,"
ut was Gordon Crme that told her"
l said to Ellen.
She would not speak or commit her
self, except to shake her head and to
beat her hands softly together as l.
had seen her do before when in dis
tresS
"a gentleman must lie like gen
tleman," went on Grace Sheraton mer-
cilessly. Il am here to congratulate
you both"
! saw a drop of blood spring from
Ellen's bitten lip
what she says is true" went on
to Ellen. at is Just as Gordon Orme
told your father and as | admitted to
you | was engaged to be married TO
Miss Sheraton. and | am still so en-
gagged"
Still her small hands beat together
softly, but she would not cry out, she
would not exclaim. protest, accuse.
wv ha
myself.
81 did not tell you. | had and have
no excuse eXcept that | loved you /
am here now for my punishment You
two shall decide IT."
At last Ellen spoke to my fancee
ut is true" said she Il thought my
self engaged to Mr.. Cowles. | did not
know of you-dld not know that he
had deceived me too. But fortunately
my father found us before it was too
late"
Let MS spare ourselves Details" re
Joined Grace Sheraton. He has
wronged both Of us"
Yes. he has done wrong" | heard
Ellen say. Perhaps all men do.
do not waEf to know. Perhaps they
are not always to blame. ! do not
want TO kno ~
The measure of the two women was
there in those words. and felt it.
Gould you want such "A MANI" ask
ed Grace Sheraton bitterly saw Ellen
shake her mead slowly | heard her
lips answer slowly NO" she said
Gould you"
| looked to Grace Sheraton for her
answer. ard as looked saw
strange and CHASTITY change come over
her face My Cod" she exclaimed
reaching out her hand against a tree
trunk 70 steady herself Your leav-
ings? No. But what is TO become Of
me-
You wish him." asked Ellen. You
are entirely free But now. II you
please see no reason why ! should
trouble you both Please. now. shall
go"
But Grace Sheraton sprang 10 her
dido "a she turuad I moe O.. pna,.1 80