Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-03
know, and l certainly was gone" ON


her."
Lady Alice waited to hear no more. Sh,
hastened to her room and there shed tn,
bitterest tears of her life-that life which
had been the happiest possible, but int
| which would never come another happy
day. So with the impetuosity of youthful
despair. she said in her heart.
The days which followed were so full o.
suffering that Lady Alice felt relieved
when her husband told her one morning
that he should start for Egypt with sorlt
friends at once. It would be easier, shs
den, and learn to live without his love
during his absence. On his return she
could meet him with cold indifference.
As for Sir Godfrey, knowing that the
honor of his old name was safe in hel
hands, he felt that any place remote from
the scene of his misery would be prefer
able to his home, where the sun of love
had set in darkness.
On the morning set for his departure tc
take place he had asked his wife to meet
him in the ''deR," that he might explain
&c her the financial arrangements he had
made for her during his trip. His few
instructions had been formally given,
though his heart was near bursting, and
she had to bite her lips to force back the
rebellious tears.
As he handed her a check-book for her
use his eyes met hers: something in their
depths caused him to waver, and at that
moment lady and gentleman entered the
drawing room, talking with all the ego,
tlsm of newly engaged lovers.
The room was otherwise quite empty, as,
gayly conversing they traversed its length,
until they reached the cosy seat so near
the estranged husband and wife.
''Oh! Frank, didn't it seem an eternity
before mamma would consent to our en-
gagement? If it had not been for your
kind friend, Lady Alice Herrescombe,
don't believe she ever would have given in.
But such sweetness as hers no one could
wholly resist.
Sir Godfrey, emorseful love shining
from his big, brown eyes, gently drew his
wife slight form closely to him, holding
her to his heart as ifhe would never let
go again. Lady Alice, though still be-
lieving he had loved-and, perhaps, still
loved--another, could not quite help lei
ting her head lay on his shoulder, that
dear resting place.
that you are one of the most desirable
young men in existence.
''Please don't make me blush" laugh
ingly answered Capt. Halifax. after
this | will never say a woman cannot
keep secret, for do not think Alice has
lisped word of the whole business, even
to her husband. have fancied that he
has looked little suspicious once or twice
when he has happened to discover us in
consultation, but that is only surprise. y
Now, Frank, want to ask a great
favor of you"
What as it, darling?"
Cant you learn to call me by my new
name?"
What? Mrs. Halifax? | will try
Here his utterance was somewhat impeded
Ivy soft white hand laid on his smiling
mouth.
"You w1etchl Certainly not! That
viii not be necessary for ever and ever SC
long
Opinions differ. But tell me, dear
what you do mean.
why, you know, when we came into
he title SO unexpectedly, | took the name
Of Maud TO please the rest of the family
because there had always been a Lady
Maud Charteris-ever since the food,
presume-and mamma thought it wou q
have pleased papa, had he been living, as
he wanted me to bear that name in the
first place, but yielded to h.r desire to call
me- Alice"
Sir Geoffnry started.
Very well. dear; will try to do so, al
though I had thought of, loved, dreamed
o., woed YOU so long as Alice that it
will be difficult at first to call you Maud
There is another objection"
What is that?'
why, it is the name of beautiful
mare have bought since my return.
got her of Green, who says she came tc
him through several hands, but originally
belonged to Sir Godfrey Herrescombe
Lady Alice gave a glance of loving
trust at her husband, her doubts silenced
forever.
She is daisy, though"
Change her name, to daisy, then, and
call me Maud, as my people do SO say
ing, Lady Maud Charters arose, and soon
her voice and that of her lover were heard
family in the distance, as they stepped
from the low windows and disappeared
in the garden.
As Lady Alice threw the checkbook into
the smouldering open fire, her hus.
band softly whispered, drawing hel
closer to him, Il shall not go to Egypt just
YETI