San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-11-25
LURED AWAY,
OR,
The Story Of a Wedding-Ring'
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEME.

would wake With tears streaming down
her face, and weep again that it was but
a dream.
81 would go back to him." she said to
herself one day with deep sob-'I would
go back to him if could"
And that idea took possession of her
the idea of going back-giving up all the
advantages she had gained-leaving her
beautiful world. Was it a beautiful
world? Her heart ached for some little
love and tenderness-she was tired of her
loveless life-wearied with the weight of
her sin.
81 would go back to him if could" she
said; and, just as the thought of going to
Bralyn had once seemed to her to embody
all that was most desirable in the world,
so now the thought of going back to Paul
made her heart beat with delight
She must go back. OF course Lord
Carlswood would never forgive her; but
she did not seem to care now so much for
that. She had tried both lives, and she
knew that for real happiness the life she
had led with her husband was the truest.
81 will go 10 him." she said. 81 am not
happy here. cannot live away from him
any longer"
In her own mind she felt sure that Lord
Carlswood would never disinherit her boy.
He had brought him up for ten years as
his heir, and it did not seem probable that
he would disappoint him now. She re-
solved to go; and, once having made the
resolve, she was very much happier for it.
Then the practical details began to trou'
BILE her. She remembered that for ten
years she had heard nothing of Pauls
whereabouts. Was he still in the little
cottage? Her heart contracted with sud-
den, terrible fear-was he living or was he
dead?
When should she go? The sooner she
could find an opportunity the better it
would be. Then she was obliged to put
aside her thought for time. Lord Carls-
wood had made point of her attendance
at Lady Brentways, ball, and she was
compelled to go.
She was especially careful about her
dress that night. She wore robe of pale
violet velvet, with suite of superb dia-
monds, Lord Carlswood's present to her.
Never in her life had Ismay Waldron
looked more beautiful.
The rooms were crowded when she
reached Lady Brentway's. AS usual, she
was surrounded by crowd of admirers,
and then she forgot for time her doubts,
her fears, her troubles. Her beautiful
face grew radiant: her eyes shone bright
as stars; she was the very embodiment of
beauty and grace; her voice sounded like
sweetest music, her laugh was sweeter
than the chime of bells. She was en-
chanting: people looked on her with Won
der. She danced two or three times, and
then, feeling tired, sat down. Lady Brent
way seated herself by her side.
81 have the lion of the season here, Mrs.
Waldron. Will you allow me to intro
duce him to your"
''To which particular lion do you al
ludeS" she asked.
'Mr. Dale of Ravensdale, the popular
member as he is called. He is a very
handsome man, with sad, half-bitter eX-
preston of face You must charm him
and convert him; we want him on the
Tory side. l told Lord Brentway, if any
one could convert him, it must be you"
Making conversions is not much in
my line" replied Mrs. Waldron.
Political, of, course. l have made many
political conversions"
II hope they were sincere Ones" said the
beautiful woman, with a laugh
II hope so, too. If nature had gifted me
with face like yours, should have made
many more Here comes Mr. Dale Ihave
been wondering why he accepted my invi-
tation; he goes nowhere"
The next moment tall figure was bow
ing before her. Lady Brentwgy said
Mrs. WaldrOn, allow me to introd
Mr.. Dale to you" Then, bent upon hos
pitable cares, Lady Brentway moved
away.
Ismay looked into the handsome face
bending near her; and then a short, sud
den stitied cry came from her lips her
face grew suddenly white as DEATH her
eyes assumed a startled incredulOus look.
"Mr. Dalep she said, in low voice like
that of one in dream.
There was no answering look the face
into which she gazed was cold and dark
and proud.
She clasped her hands tightly.
Pray pardon me-" she said. You are
80 much like 1t is-it is Paul himself!
Paul, do you not know me?"
L nave not the pleasure OF knowing
Mrs. Waldron," he said, turning abruptly
away.
She stood looking after him, wonder,
fear, love, dismay, all striving for mastery.
sit is Paulr' she said. LAS surely as l
breathe there is my husband, and he does
not know mer'
The whole room seemed turning round.
A nervous cry rose to her lips which she
could with difficulty repress. She looked
after the tall stately figure.
''It is-it must be Paul, she murmured.
tNThat Is Panl'S fir1lra and Panlis face.