Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-04-02

MY uncle James StanmOre, the mar
rator went on, was barrastor, a most
successful one-a man who had the repu-
tatlon of father confessor almost among
the people who knew hirl-full Of tact
sympathy and direction as we'll as frmness
and decision. Just as | left Oxford | was
at his chambers one winters afternoon.
waiting for him to come IN, when there
was hurried knock at tie outer door. |
opened it and a woman-a shrouded fe-
male figure, | believe that is the consecraG-
co teIm-came hurriedly into the office
Mr. Ssanmore?" That is my name"
said But" she said apparently taken
| aback. ''y0u are so very young" Il
| suppose il was my uncle james Stanmore.
you expected to see. replied YES Is
was; it was indeed. I want to see him in
particular. How soon will he be imp Il
really haven't an idea | said.
or she cried distractedly, what
shall do?'' Can I give him any mes
sage?' l said, 'or will you write a let
ter?'
No, no, l won write, she said in
coberentiy; II want to see him myself-to
tell him about it and ask his advice. OIL
what shall do! and she covered her face
with her hands,
How thrilIing!" murmured Mrs. Mere
dth
Il was thrilled" said Mr.. Stanmore,
for. besides having a thick veil, sh e
stood with her back to the window, and
the room was growing darker every mo-
ment. For one moment she stood silent;
then, conscious perhaps, that [ had no
means of identifying her, she said: 4 will
tell you. | must have some advice, some
syn pathy; but, mind, | am counting on
your silence and discretion. Il need
not say" said Stanmore again with
twinkle in his eye, with what ferNor I
swore to obey her commands. She then,
In low and hurried voice told me her
tale, which WAS certainly pit5ous one
enough. She had left her home during
her husbands absence-left her home and
her child as she thought, forever. Then,
suddenly, on che eve of quitting England
she had realized-partIy, at any rate-the
full horror of the future stretching before
| events, becoming the legal wife Of the
man with whom she had cast her lot, she
III de up her mind to turn to my uncle, Of
whose wise and understanding kindness
she had heard, and find out from him if it
were possible to become free from the
husband she had left.
"Of course it was not, said Lady Dug
dale, soto uoioe.
''Of course not" said Stanmore; 80
much | knew even then. | told her so.
and am told that, unless her husband
| chose to take steps, she was powerless to
! regain her freedom. She was staggered
by the blow. Are you quite sure OF tbis7'
she asked Absolutely certain" l
replied. And then, in a burst
of imprisoned eloquence,' Stanmore
went On, I'm which could
| doubtless be diserned the germs of
! that forensic eloquence afterward so justly
famous, put before her-prompted by
know not what passionate regret at seeing
her young life destroyed-the future, the
| only future for which she could hope, and
implored her to go back to her home while
| there was yet time Her husband was not
to return till the next day, so that the evil
| h e had done was not past redemption, as
! far as his peace of mind and her fair
lame were concerned. She listened in
| silence, then burst into torrent of tears
Thank you,' she said, as she turned to-
ward the door. ''ln spite Of your youth
service tonight which | shall never forget
| see you are prepared to follow in your
uncle's footsteps. have been told that he is
wise, good man" MY modesty, which
has always been excessive" said STAN
more with smile, was somewhat abash-
ed at this, and, In order to turn it off, |
said lightly, "Oh, yes, I'm going to be a
barrlster, too, some day; In fact feel as
If had begun my career tonight-you are
nay first Client" She held out her hand
to me silently and went away
And them" said Mrs Meredith,
! eagerly
That's all, - said stanmore. Il know
nothing more"
Nothing more?" said Lady Dugdale.
Did you ever hear Of her again?'
Never said Stanmore; never saw
her or heard Of her. And if | had |
could not have recognized her features,
which never saw; or her voice. which
was hoarse and strangled with sobs; or her
name, which | never heard. So | am
afraid that now / must make up my mind
| that the story Is to be forever unfinished.
| have told you all / am ever likely to
| know of it.
And just in time,' said Lady Dugdale,
as pealing ring at the hall bell sounded
through the house.
There she is, - said Mrs Meredith.
The butler threw open the drawing
room door and announced Mrs. Clan
morris"
Lady Du2dale, after welcoming her
etfusively, proceeded to make her known
to the rest of the party. Mrs. Clanmorris
acknowledged Mrs. Meredith's bow with
measured graciousness; then, as Lady
| Dugdale pronounced Stanmore's name a
very unexpected thing took place. For
the first time in the memory of the cou
t,y did Mrs. Clanmorris' manner alter;
that luminous atmosphere OF serenity that
surrounded her showed traces of disturb
ance, revealing dark spots underneath.
like those of sun. What had happened?
A sudden wave of memory, of gratitude.
had swept over her. Moved by an ire
sistible impulse, she put out her hand and
murmured some agitated words which, in
the dead silence, were distinctly audible to
the amazed listeners:
Mr., Stanmore! Can it be you? I was