Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-22

swered, ''do you think should have come
here to complain of it to you? Do me the
justice to believe that [ am not capable of
such sef-degradat0n as that. [ have moth
ing to complain Of"
''And yet you have left him?'
''He has been ali that is kind and consider
ate; he has done everything that a man in
bis unhappy position could do 70 set my
mind at Ease And yet have LETT him. Oh,
l claim TO merit for my repentance, bitterly
as l feel it, / might not have had the cOur-
age to leave him-if he had loved me as he
once loved YOU"
Miss WesterfieId! You force me to tell
you that you are tie last person living who
ought to ailude to my married life"
you may perhaps pardon the allusion,
madam, when you have heard what have
still to say owe it to Mr.. Herbert Linley,
if not to YOU, to confess that his life with me
has not been a life Of happiness He has
tried, compassionately tried, to keep his Sc
cret sorrow from discovery and he has failed.
/ had long suspected the truth, but l only
saw it in his face when he found the book
you left behind you at the hotel. Your i'm
age has, from first to last, been the one living
image in his guilty heart. [ am the miser-
able victim of a mans passing fancy. You
have been (yOu are StilD the one object OF
husbands love. Ask your own heart it the
woman Lies who could say what have just
said, unless it was trueT
GATHERINGS head sank on her bosom; her
helpless hands lay trembling on her lap.
OverpOWered by the confession which she
had just heard-a confession which had fol-
lowed closely on the thoughts inspired by
the appearance of the child-her agitation
was beyond control; her mind was unequal
to the effort Of decision. The woman who
had been wronged-whO had the right to
Judge for herself and to speak for herself
was the silent woman of the two!
1t was not quite dark yet Sydney could
see as well as hear.
For the first time since the beginning of
the interview she allowed the impulse Of the
moment to lead her aStray. In her eager
ness to complete the act OF atOnement she
failed to appreciate the severity Of the Strug-
gle that was passing in GATHERINGS mind.
She alluded again to Herbert LinIey, and
she spoke too soon.
''WilI you let him ask your pardon?" she
said. He expects no more"
GATHERINGS spirit was aroused in an in
slant. He expects too much" she answer
ed, sternly.
Sydney saw her mistake, and tried too late
to set it right.
at is my misfortune if have taken lib
erty," she pleaded; 'pray don't treat me as
if it was my fault l dare not ask you to
alter your opinion"
DO you dare look the truth in the face?'
Catherine interpOsed. DO you remember
what sacred ties that man has broken? what
memories he has profaned? what years Of
faithful love he has cast from him? Must |
tell you how he poisoned his Wife'S mind
with doubts of his truth and despair of his
honor, when he baSely deserted her? You
talk OF your repentance. Is there no SYM
pathy for Me in your repentance"
Sydney silently submitted to reprOach, 81
lently endured the shame that finds no eX-
cuSe for itself.
Catherine looked at her, and relented. The
noble nature which could StOOp to anger, but
never sink to the lower depths of malice and
persecution, restrained itself and made
amends. Il say it in no unkindneSs to you"
she resumed. ''But when you ask me to for
give, consider what you ask me to forget. 1t
will only distress us both if we remain longer
together" she continued, rising as she spoke.
perhaps you will believe that mean well
when l ask if there is anything [ can do for
yOu?'
''Nothing!'
All the desOlatiOn of the lost woman told
its terrible tale in that one word. Invited to
rest herself in the hotel, she asked leave to
remain where she was; the mere effort of
rising was too much for her now. Catherine
said the parting words kindly. Il believe in
your good intentions; l believe in your re-
pentance."
believe in my punishmentI' After that
reply no more was said.
Behind the trees that closed the view at
tie farther extremity Of the lawn, the moon
was rising. AS the two women lost sight of
each other. the new light, pure and beauti.
full, began to dawn over the garden.