Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-10-28

4 III
ksz5assss9 eyes of Joan Trask. Il want
ksSsYy.sssgj you she began. but the
memory of the bitter years, of the long
succession of broken promises and
VOWS. stretching back to the time when
the man before her had taken upon
himself the solemn obligation to love.
cherish and honor clouded her face
again.
NO" she said DULY. its no use
It'll be just the same as ever"
Il tell you it won't" lie said. What
more do you want? give you my
word. | know that I've broken it be-
fore. but this time I'm III earnest"
There was solemnity in her tone as
she said:
Gerald. if ! do this it is the last
time
1t was with genuine relief that he
exclaimed: Good. Well begin all over
again.
He kissed her. Oh. trusting heart of
womanh0od. She took his words ut
their face value and returned the kiss.
But there was still misgiving in her
mind that was not stilled by the wild.
glad beating of her heart.
Gerald" she said. you'll keep yodI
word?"
i've said so" was his reply.
Then promise me that you'll break
off With this woman
what WOman?"
'''Thp one who called Nd"
"Oh, pshaw" lie said. ''There's moth
ing in that. You're wrong. You've
misjudged me this time
They kissed again With parting
good night Trasi switched off the
lights in the library. and the two went
to their respective rooms. Such was
the last talk of Gerald and Joan Trask.
The woman went to her room with the
joyous hope that she had regained her
husband as he was in the first few
months of their welded life. She had
reclaimed him.
And the stars sang to her us she peer
ed from the window of her room. and
the voices of the city. Stilled in the
night. spoke only Of the happiness that
was to come to ler ut last after years
Of suffering. Gerald was to be hers
again. and all was well.
And the man? He left his wife with
lie on his lips and in his heart. Not
love. but fear had prompted the recon
ciliat:on. The storm had blown over
for the time He would live quietly
until Joan had time to forget a bit
Forget? Joan forget? He laughed Il
little bitter laugh. Curse it. Her
memory was too good. Thirteen years
since the Deane affair at Great Neck.
Jove, how lucky he had been. Why. ii
might have brought him Il penit ertiary
sentence. Joan had remembered every
detail of the affair. it seemed. and HAD
flung it into his face that night Wo-
men remember some things much bet
ter than men. But there it had pass
ed. fortunately for him. and he had
squared Joan this night. SO what
was the use of remembering one affair
in many?
Besides. he was dog tired and must
rest. Tomorrow he would plan how to
get around Joan. Thus Gerald Trask
went to his rest OH the night that was
TO be his last on earth
Other persons are aStir with the at
fairs of the Trasks this night.
1t was but a few minutes after Mr..
and Mrs. Trask had LEFT the library.
All was in darkness. but the quiet of
the place was broken by Il queer graft
ing sound from the alc0ve in which
stood the safe. 1t was metal moving
upon metal. slithering ana scratching
noise To the nerves of Joan Trask.
tautened and thrilled by her talk with
her husband. all sensation is magni-
fed. and she heard the sound. She
moves toward il. entcrin" the room.
The figure of mar rises from before
ne safe. SeiZeS = s"'rf from the library