Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-11-08
mHow y, she repeated.

I .
do, yOu-should choose to let that in-
come continue, which shall not-would
be pauper upon met"
"You?" I exclaimed.
"T, she answered., too, am engag-
ed And she brought her beautiful,
awful face closer to mine. 4 have ac-
cepted Sir Graham /"
"Nevcrv' I cried.
"And at that moment, ! recognized
TO the full extent the fearful vindictive-
ness of Gertrude's nature.
'YesW she added, triumphantly.
at may De-" rejoined, more calmly.
yet Sir Graham Penderieith is scarcely
likely 10 cast off an only brother fOE a
wife's jealous whim.'
IS he not?' she responded, with a soft,
unpleasant laugh. Then plucking, or
rather.tearing delicate tendril from
an exotic para.ite growing near, she
twined it rapidly round her white fling
ers. do you see that?' she continued.
well, as easily can I wind Sir Graham
round my finger. He has scarcely will
Of his own now. When have married
him, he will have none
Il believe it; yet, nevertheless, an
swered, 80 he it. I congratulate Sir
Graham on his future happiness. AS to
Lyle, he is a harrister; and, after what
has passed, I know he will agree with
melt would he preferable to starve on
what he makes by his profession, than
accept a shilling from his brothers.
hands until, should Sir Graham die
without male heirs, Penderlelth, by
rights, became his
1T neUer shallr she replied, passionate
ly.
4 slightly raised my shoulders, and,
anxious to put an end to the disagree
able scene, prepared to quit the conser-
vatory, when, stopping me, she asked
earnestly. you intend to tell Lyle of
this?'
Most assuredly I do
Then will show you something else
to tell him.
Before could prevent her-hOw she
did it, cannot tell, only that ! was
smaller Of statue than she-she had
swung me back on a seat, torn aside
my cloak, and, forcing her hand down
my bodice, rending the lace, possessed
herself of q Ineket attached round my
neck by a small gold chain, which her
violence snapped.
Yes she said, calmly regarding it,
Indifferent to my Indignation. 1T is as
I thought-his likeness
Then, casting It on the marble floor,
she crushed it beneath the heel of her
satin boot; adding, Tell Lyle Pender-
IeIth that how l serve his likeness, SO
would 1 serve him, if had the power!'
This was an outrage could not bear,
and, starting to my feet, I stove TO res
cue the locket.
As easily as if had been child, she
raised me by the shOulders-sbOok me
till the whole place seemed to whirl
rOund-then, kissing in my ear, 'Oh, if
I only dared murder you" flung me from
her, and quilted the conservatory.
Staggering, fell, insensibIe from ter
ror, on a seat, for felt had to do with
mad woman-yes, as surely as believe
her ladyship mad now.
Well we were both married; Lyle, on
hearing what had to tell, renouncing
all aid from Sir Graham, and living on
what his profession brought, my dowry,
and trihing income left him by his
mother. Soon after, however, relations
of mine dying, left US, most unexpect-
edly, a considerable fortune, when your
father, between whom and Sir Graham
ever existed a warm friendship settled
here.
But their intercourse was rare--indeed,
they seldom met. Gertrude had spoken
the truth-married, the Baronet ceased
to have a will of his own.
Once, only, did he make a Strong
effort to assert it-that was, in refusing
to destroy the entail which Lady PEN
derleith desired should be done, though
her first child was boy. She however,
knew the sickly child could not live.
The contest was long, but Sir Graham
had to yield. Poor fellow! I can i'm
agine the life he led till be didl The
estate ceased to be entailed, the baby
died, and by will, the whole of Pender-
leith was settled on Alma, after her
mothers death.
Now you have the entire story, my
dear Gerard, and see why her Iadyship
rejects your suit, and threatens to squan-
der every penny, should you persist in
becoming her sOn-in-law..
which, if Alma, will consent, I GER
tainly SHALL answered the young man.
Yours is strange recital of a strange
woman
'Of mad woman, you might say;
whom, laughed Mrs. Lyle, you are 60
ing to drive into insanity ITSELF
Yes; what care for Lady Pender-
leItb or her money? I cast both to the
winds, have enough for both of u.s.
'Assuredly. And, as 1 have promis-
ed, will not thwart you. could, GER
tainly, considering circumstances, have
wished your selection of a wife had been
different. But such matters are beyond
control. So, Gerard, win her, wed her;
then bring the poor child home to me,
who will love her for your sake, If not
her own
She rested her hand fondIy upon his
shoulder. Rising, he kissed her in
thanks. Then the servant, bringing in
the candles-for the night had crept
quickly on the footprints of twilight
put stop to the conversation; where
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