Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-17
TEE LAWYERS SECRET.

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Ii was in It luxuriOusly furnished
'oom, where glowing CRATE threw
genial light anu warmth upon the occu-
oants, that General Langton, lawyer
and millionaire, listened with bated
breath and paliid cheeks to q low and
nelodious voice that told story of
,ife
The speaker, beautiful woman of
about thirty, yet ten years younger than
Mr.. Langton, reclined in q low, cush-
,oned chair her attitude bespeaking the
ease which wealth gives, but her face
was full of the deepest anguish as her
Ups recOuntcd the story.
You love me-" she said gently, yet
sadly, "and / love you as never loved
any one before, although | am widow.
That you knew, but did not know my
husbands name. BY my uncle request
dropped it and took his with the prop
7rty he left me. DO not look at me
enderly, Gerald, do not shake my voice
u my heart. for when you know who |
nm you will not repeat the offer you
made me, and which heaven is my wit
ness tried to avert
Let your conscience be at rest
there" said her listener, in a grave yet
tender voice; You have never given
me one hope, Maude. BY what instinct
knew that you loved me | can never
tell, something in your eyes-some tone
Of your voice betrayed you. Ii, as you
say, something in your past life does
separate us, you have been no cOquetto
torment me with false hopes But,
Maude, tell me again, whatever stands
between US, you love me?'
i love you" she said gravely, land
it is because | love you that | will not
let you link your honorable name with
that of the wretch who was my husband.
was very young-nOt sixteen-when
he came TO make visit to some friends
living at GrasSbank. Uncle Richard has
country seat near the village. / first
met Alexander at 4 picnic, where he was
the very life of the party, everybody's
cavalier, courteous to all, full of wit and
animation and service to all. | be-
lieye every girl on the grounds thought
she had captivated him, his attentions
we're so we'll divided and so impressive
to each one. He claimed to be no more
than salesman in a large wholesale
house with n good salary, but ne had
the manners of gentleman of good ed
uc3tiOn, and the most perfect beauty of
face and form that | ever saw in q man.
1t was not long before it was evident he
wished to win my love, and he had an
easy task. Such love rs a child of six
teen can give gave him. He was the
impersonation OF every hero of poetry
inc mad made me familiar. SCHOOLGIRL
like, had made an ideal hero, and fitted
this, my first admirer, with all his I'M
aginary PROJECTIONS.
From the first Uncle Richard disiik-
ed him, prOnOuncing him false and
shallow, and assuring me that my per
sOnal attractions had not won his heart;
but the fact of my being an heiresS to a
large property had gained me the pro-
testations in which SO firmly believed.
1T Is a painful story to me now,
Gerald. Let it suffice that had lived
in world of pleasant dreams while
Alexander remained at Grassbank.
When he left me he carried my promise
to be his wife at Christmas.
Il think if my money had depended
on Uncle Richard. my marriage might
have been prevented by his threatening
to disinherit me, but both from my
father and my mother I had inherited
money that made me independent in a
pecuniary sense of his control or con-
sent.
Most grudgingly. however, uncle did
consent, after searching Inquiry about
Alexander, resulting in no worse report
than that bis employers thought him
fast idle, and just the man to be a for
tune hunter. Even then nv dear uncle
would have protected my fortune by
settling it upon myself; but with the
reckless generosity of extreme youth, |
refused to have this done. Never, was
firmly convinced, would my adored AL
exander wrong me in any way.
For year after the splendid we'd
ding that made me Alexander's wife, l
was very happy. was too ignorant of
value to understand that we were liv-
ing far beyond our income, enjoyed to
the utmost the luxuries around me-the
constant gaiety that was in such strong
contrast to the school routine from
which had been released.
Then began a life of neglect, often
OF quarreling, when l objected to my
husbands course of conduct-his drink
ing, his extravaganza, and his late
hours. Still found my own pleasures
in society, and renewal of some of NV
favorite studies, especially language and
music. was fond, TOO fond, of water
color painting, and made presents to
my friends of specimens of my skill in
that line.
1T was four years afrer my marriage
when | was thunderstruck bv Alex
ander asking me to request loan of
money from Uncle Richard. with the
information tnat every penny of my
property was gone.
'.Since then | have known that a
large portion of it was lost at the gam
ing table.
.'Long before this had lost all love
for my husband. Respect had died out
when | knew the dissipated life he was
leading. and foolish as was could not
continue to love man whose actions
were so despicsble. l refused the err
rand, and brought down such q torrent