Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-05
CHAPTER L.


Without one word of explanation Gather
inc stepped up to him and spoke first.
answer me this" she said; 'have you
told Capt. Bennydeck who l amp"
No"
The shortest word in the language was all
that he could say in the moment when he
first looked at her.
She was not the same woman whom he
had last seen at Sandyseal returning for her
lost book. The agitation produced by that
unexpected meeting had turned her pale; the
Overpowering sense Of injury had hardened
and aged her face This time she was pre-
pared to see him; this time she was con-
scious of a resolution that raised her in her
own estimation. Her clear blue eyes gilt
tered as she looked at him, the bright color
glowed in her cheeks; he was literally daz-
zled by her beauty.
SIN the past time which we both remem-
ber," she resumed, you once said that was
the most truthful woman you have ever
known. Have L done anything to disturb
that part of your old faith in meY'
Nothing"
She went on: Before you entered this
house | had determined to tell Capt Benny
deck what you have not told him yet. When
l say that, do you believe me?'
If he had been able to look away from her
he might have foreSeen what was coming
and he would have remembered that his tri-
umph over the captain was still incomplete
But his eyes were riyeted on her face; his
tendeTest memories of her were pleading
with him. He answered as a docile child
might have answered:
''I do believe YOU"
She took letter from her bosom, and,
showing it, begged him to remark that it
was not closed.
Il was in my bedroom writing" she said
''When my mother came to me and told me
that you and Capt Bennydeck had met IN
my sitting-rOOm. She dreaded a quarrel and
an exposure, and she urged me to go down
stairs and insist on sending you aWay-Or to
permit her to do so, if I could not prevail on
myself to follow her advice. L refused to
allow the shameful dismissal Of a man who
once had his claim on my respect. The
only alternative that | could see was to speak
with you here in private, as we are speaking
now. Ny mother undertook to manage this
for me; she saw the servant and gave him
the message which you received. Where is
Capt. Bennydeck noW?'
He is waiting in the sitting-room."
waiting for YOU"
Yes"
She considered a little before she said her
next words.
II have brought with me what [ was writ
ing in my own room" She resumed wish
ing to show it to you. VIII you read it?"
She offered the letter to him. He hest
tated. as it addressed to me?" he asked
1T is addressed to Capt. Bennydeck," she
answered.
The jealousy that still rauEled in his mind
jealousy that he had no more lawful OF
| reasonable claim TO feet than if he had been
a stranger-contirmed him in his resolution
not to read the letter. Speaking with mark
ed respect he begged that she would accept
his excuses.
She refused to excuse him.
Before you decide" she said, you ought
! at least to know why have written TO Capt.
| Benny deck, instead of speaking to him as /
| had proposed. My heart failed me when j
| thought of the distress that he would feel
! and perhaps, of the contempt for myself
| which, good and gentle as he is, he might
not be able to disguise. My letter tells him
! the truth, without c0ncealment. | am
| obliged to speak OF the manner in which you
have treated me- and of the circumstances
! which forced me into acts of deception that
| now bitterly regret. | have tried not to
/ mlSrepresent you; l have been anxious to do
/ you no wrong. 1t is FOR you, not Tor me, to
] say if have succeeded. Once more, will
! you read my letter.
/ li.-.,;t-