The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-02-16

30 she renamed Tor weeks ana weeks.
As Jeanette turned to leave the
nursery Lenora rose from the chair
with outstretched arms, as if she would
stop the retreating form, but she could
lot move and speech seemed to have
left her, for she sank to the floor gasp
ing for breath.
Lula was by her side in q second. and
drew the limp little form to a low
couch and laid her down.
my poor little lady, [ will always
be Your friend, no matter what may
happen. l know they accuse you
falsely"
Lenora as yet could not speak, but
her eyes told how grateful she was for
those few words of comfort; she mo-
toned to her maid that she wanted
some water and Lula soon brought 1t.
The cool water somewhat refreshed
her, and the maid bathed the poor
wife's face and throbbing temples in it.
Il feel somewhat better now. Lula,
she managed to say, "and you may go
and tell the cook to bring me some
thing to eat, with some good, strong
wine.
Il am so weak, yet | must not give
up, for there is much for me to do. [
cannot stay under this roof tonight.
No; | would not for the world, so
falsely accused.
"All this must be the work of my
old enemy, and Jeanette surely can
not think ME so low as to live so base
and false life. Go, now, Lula, and
do as / told you"
As soon as Lenora was alone she
tore open Rays letter and read it. 1t
was short, but the effect it produced
upon the poor, heartbrokon wife was
so great that she never wholly recov-
cred from it.
The letter ran thus, and in Rays
own handwriting, or one that exactly
resembled it:
PACIFIC HOTEL. CHICAGO, ILL.,,
Nov. %, 1876
My DEAR LITTLE LIMA Gor so l must call
you, even unto deatn) We have both erred.
greatly. l am to blame as much as your
self.
ought to have been stronger-mOre of a
man-and controlled my feelings better
than to have allowed myself to love per-
son OF your character. Not but that you
have acted properly since we first met do
/ speak of your character; but have had
your life revealed to me, and it is such that
il even makes me shudder when l think of
it. and then think OF the happy hours and
days that We have spent together. | want
TO leave all the past-tO forget it, for my
good name, which is ruined for ever-to
forget it all. To forget you, whom | so mad
" loved, will be to lose myself in death, and
my resting-place viii be the bed of the
lake.
| can't speak of the babe; my heart is too
full. The pen drops from my fingers as |
write.
Good-by, Linal You were my true heart
mate the only woman 1 ever lOved-and if
could take back my heart, would. Fare
WE'LL
Why Jeanette Nathan wrote thu
letter, convinced as she was that Ray
had once loved her, remains a mystery.
Perhaps she knew the depth of Lee
nora's pure, loving nature, and knew
that just such accusation would cut
deeper than the most severe.
Whether this, or whatever was her
motive, nothing could have been more
cutting, or pierce that poor aching,
bleeding heart more than those few
lines from Ray, her lost love.
AS Lenora finished reading this let
ter, IN her weakness she sprang from
her bed, and threw her arms up over
her head, in strange, wild fash
ion, still holding that strange missive
tight in her fingers.
ooh, darling darling-my lost, lost
darling how could you have been so
cruel to your poor little wife?
Come back to income back Just a
few moments, that [ may tell you that
It is all false, and then die at your
feet.
"H you wrote that cruel letter, some
one has blinded you to the truth, at
last.
at seems that my heart will break
for the pain is so great"
She sank down in a chair, and buried
her face in her lap, and cried and
sobbed as if her heart was broken; if
there ever was broken-hearte woman
IN the world, this poor little woman
| was.
The maid had been standing for
some time, waiting for Lenora to be-
| came quiet, that she might eat a little.
My dear lady, do not weep so; |
have brought you your lunch.
At the sound of Lula's voice, Lee
nora raised her head and dried her
tears. She ate the lunch, and the wine
seemed to strengthen her.
must go now, Lula, to my room,
and prepare to leave"
"1ou are not going to leave the man.
sion this miserable night, madame"
Yes; L cannot remain here another
hour under any consideration; | will
lot stay near people who do not be-
lleve IN me, and so falsely accuse me, 3"
Lenora then went to her room and
took from a drawer in her bureau a
photograph of Ray and little gold
'ocket, which contained two little curls
OF hair; one was pale gold. cut from
the head of her babe; the other a rich
lark brown, that she had cut from
Rays head.
he locket she hung round her neck
with fine gold chain that her hus-
band had bought for her when she was
a happy bride, while they were in Cal
cNtta, India; the picture she kissed
again and again, and then hid away
IN the bosom of her dress.
Lula, you have been good and kind
to me, and | Will divide what money I
have with you. Here is one hundred
and fifty dollars, Just half the sum nv
poor darling gave me the other dav for
spending money, and l have not had
need for it yet
Oh, my lady, you must not. l do
not want-it-you may need it-and
must keep all Yourself"
No, no. l wish you to take half; if
need more, there will be some wav
provided, no doubt"
The maid was compelled to take
ha!f, and after Lenora had kissed again
and again the chair that Ray sat in
while IN her room, she left the man.
sion, alone, friendless and broken
n arted.
1t was past midnight and very dark
1t was still raining, damp mist was