Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-24

preSence-suffer as he might under the Strug-
gle when he was alOne-he found resolIl-
ton which sustained him. 1t kept his inter-
course with her studiOusly gentle in manner
and considerate in language, and it offered
to her future which she could only see
through the classifying medium Of her own
dIstrust.
In the deluSiOn that now possessed her she
read over and over again, the letter which
Capt. Bennydeck had addressed to her faith
Ell; she saw, more and more clearly, the cir
cumstances which associated her situation
with the situation of the poor girl who had
closed her wasted life among the nuns in the
French convent.
Two results followed on this state of
things.
When Herbert asked to what part of En-
gland they should go, on leaving London,
she mentioned Sandyseal as a place that she
had heard of and felt some curiosity to see
The same day-bent On pleasing her; care
less where he lived now, at home or abroad
he wrote to engage rooms at the hotel.
A time followed, during which they were
obliged to wait until rooms were free. In
this interval, brOoding over the melancholy
absence of friend or relative IN whom she
could confide, her morbid dread of the future
decided her on completing her parallel be-
tween herself and that other lost creature of
whom she had read. Sydney opened COM
munication anonymously with the Benedic-
tine community at SandySeal.
She addressed the mother superior, telling
the truth about herself, with but one con-
cealment, the cOncealment Of names. She
revealed her isolated position among her fell
low-creatures; she declared her fervent de-
sire to repent of her wickedneSS and to lead
a religious life; she acknowledged her mis-
fortune in having been brought up by per-
sons careless of religion, and she confessed
to having attended protestant place of WOr-
ship as mere matter Of form connected
with the duties of a teacher at school. THE
religion Of any Christian woman who will
help me to be more like herself" she wrote
lis the religion to which [ am willing and
eager to belong. If | come to you in my dis
treSS will you receive me?' To that simple
appeal she added a request that an answer
might be addressed to IS. W., pOstOffice,
Sandyseal."
When Capt. Bennydeck and Sydney West
erfeld passed each other as strangers in the
hall of the hotel that letter had been posted
in London week since.
The servant showed Mr. and Mrs Her
BERT into their sitting-r0Om and begged that
they would be so good as to wait few min
utes while the other rooms were being pre-
pared for them.
Sydney seated herself in silence. She was
thinking Of her letter and wondering Wheth-
er reply was waiting for her at the post
office.
Moving toward the window to look at the
view, Herbert paused to examine some prints
hanging on the walls, which were superior
as works of art to the customary decorations
of room at hotel. If he had gone straight
to the window he might have seen his di-
vOrced wife, his child, and his wife's mother
getting into the carriage which took them to
the railway station.
Come, Sydney" he said, land look at the
sea-
She joined him YEARLY, with faint SMILE
1t was a calm, sunny day. Bathing-machines
were on the beach, children were playing
here and there, and white sails Of pleasure
boats were visible in the Offing The dull
ness Of SandySeal wore quiet, hOmeIy as
pect which was pleasant to the eyes of
strangers. Sydney said, absentIy: Il think
[ shall like the place" And Herbert added:
'Let us hope that the air will make you
stronger" He meant it, and said it kindly
but, instead Of looking at her while he
spoke, he continued to look at the view. A
woman sure of her position would not have
allowed this trifiing circumstance, even it
she had observed it, to disturb her. Sydney
thought Of the day in London when he had
persisted in looking out at the street, and re-
turned in silence to her chair
Had he been so unfortunate as to offend
her? And in what way? AS that doubt Oc-
CURED to Herbert his mind turned to Cath
crime. She never took Offense at trifIes;
word Of kindness from him, no matter how
unimportant it might be, always claimed af-
fectiOnate acknowledgement in the days when
he was living with his wife. In another mo-
ment he had dismissed that remembrance
and could trust himself to return to Sydney.
eff you find shat Sandyseal confirms your
first impression" he said, ''let me know it in
time SO that may make arrangements for
longer stay. have only taken the rooms
here for fortnight"
"Thank you, Herbert; l think a fortnight
will be long enough"
Long enough for your he asked.
Her morbid sensitiveneSs mistook him
again; she fancied there was an undernOte
Of irony in his tone.
Long enough for both of u.s." she replied.
He drew chair to her side. ItDO you take
it for granted" he said, smiling that L shall
get tired of the place first?'
She shrank, poor creature, even from his
smile. There was, she thought, something
cOntemptuOus in the good-humOr Of it.
I'VE have been to many places" she re-
minded him, ''and we have got tired Of them
together"
rs that my fauit?"
Il didn't say it was"
He got up and approached the bell. =
think the journey has little overtired YOU"
he resumed. 'Would you like to go to your
TOom"'
Il will go to my room if you wish it,
He waited a little and answered her as
quietly as ever. ''What I really wish,' he
said, lis that we had consulted a doctor while
we were in London. You seem to be very
easily nritated Of late. / observe a change
in you which l willingly attributed to the
state of your health"
She interrupted him. ''What change do
you mean?'
Its quite possible / may be mistaken,
Sydney. But l have more than once, as |
think, seen something in your manner which
suggested that you distruSt me-
Il distruSt the evil life we are leadng,"
she burst out land ! see the end of il COM