Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-02-25

| could not overlook, he turned all his atten-
| ton to Lady Darrell. / am a wicked girl.
Fane-noW that the light of your love has
| revealed so much to me, | can see how wick
| ed. | have told you that l had sworn to N.Y.
| self TO be revenged on Lady Darrell FOR com.
| ing between NE and my Inheritance have
| seen more of the world since then, but at
| that time it seemed TO me an unparalleled
thing that young girl like her should marry
an old man like Sir Oswald entirely for his
money. | told her il she did so I would be
revenged. l know it was wrong" Pauline
continued, humbly; ''at the time l thought it
brave and heroic. Now l know it was wrong,
and weak, and wcked-your love has taught
me that
ut was an error that sprang from pride"
he said, gently; ''there is nothing to part us"
~ on have not heard all. Nane, I knew
Captain LangtOn TO be thef-to be a man
who would not scruple at murder if need re-
qured. L knew that all the love he could
ever give to any one he had given to me, yet
II
She paused, and the sad face raised hum
bly, to his grew crimson with d burning
blush.
"Oh, Vane, how can tell you the shame
| full truth? Knowing what he was, knowing
that he was going to marry Lady Darrell, l
yet withheld the truth. That was my re-
yenge. | knew he was thief, a cruel, wick
ed slanderer, thoroughly bad man, yet,
when one word from me would have saved
her from accepting his proposal, l, for my
vengeance sake, refused to speak that
word"
Her voice died away in a low whisper; the
very sound Of her words seemed to brighten
her, Vane St. LaNrence'S face grew pale
| and stern.
1T was unworthy of YOU Pauline he
said, unhesitatingly. 1T was cruel re-
venge."
Il know it." she admitted mo words
can add to the keen sense Of my dshOnor."
Tell me how it was he said more gently.
u Think continued Pauline ''that she
had always liked Captain Langton. 1 re-
member that | used 10 think so before she
married my uncle. But she had noticed my
contempt for him. 1t shook her faith in him,
and made her doubt him. She came to me
one day, Vane with that doubt in her face
and in her words. She asked me to tell her
if knew anything against him-if there
was any reason why she should doubt him.
She asked Inc then, before she allowed her
self to love him; one word from me then
would have saved her, and that word for my
vengeance sake, I would not speak.
1t should have been spoken" observed
Sir Vane, gravely.
II know it, Captain Langton has no hon
or, no conscience. lie does not even like
Lady Darrell: he will marry her solely that
he may have Darrell Court. He will after
ward maltreat her, and hold her life as moth
ing; he will Squander the Darrell property
Nane, as truly as the bright heaven shines
above me. [ believe hin. to have no redeem
ing quality"
There was silence for some minutes and
then Sir Vane asked:
Tel me, Pauine-dO You think that
Lady Darrell would marry him if she knew
what you have just told mc?"
Il am sure she would not She is very
worldly, and only lives what one NAV call a
life of appearances; she would not marry
him if she knew him to be a thief-she would
shrink from him. f., giant, polished, ami
able women like Lady Darrell are frighten-
ed at crime.'
That one word ought to have been spoken,
Pauline, out of sheer w0mauly pity and
sheer womanly grace. How could you re-
fuse to speak when she came to you with a
prayer on her lipS%
The pride and thirst for vengeance were
too strong for me" she replied.
And to these you have sacrificed the life
and happiness of woman who has never
really injured you. Lady Darrell and Cap
tain Langton are not yet married-are they,
Paulne?''
No, they are to be married in the spring."
she answered.
"Then listen to me, my darling. This
marriage must never take place. Your ST.
lence is Wicked-you cannot honOrably and
conscientiOusly stand by and see Lady Oar
rell throw herself away on thief You
have done a grievOus wrong, Pauline. You
must make noble atonement'
something like a CLEAN of hope came into
her eyes.
Can l atone?" she asked. Il will do sol
If know how, even at the price of my life"
Il tell you, frankly" he said that you
have done grievously wrong. When that
poor lady came to you in her doubt and per-
pleXity, You ought to have told her at least
as much Of the truth as would have prevent /
ed the marriage. But, my darling, this shall
not part u.s. If | teach you how to atone
will you atone?'
She crossed her hands as one praying.
II will do anything you tell me, Fane."
You must go to Court, and you must
make to Lady Darrell the same ample avow-
al you have made to me; tell her the same
story-hOw you vowed vengeance against
her, and how you carried that vengeance
out: and then see what comes of it."
But suppose she Will not believe me-
what then"'
'You will have done your best-you will
at least have made atOnement for your Sc
crecy. If, With her eyes OPEN Lady Darref
marries Captain Langton after that you will
have nothing to blame yourself for. 1t will
be- hard for You. my darling, but it is the
brave, right, true thing to do.'
And you do not hate me, Vane?'
No. | love you even better than did.
The woman brave enough to own her faults
and DESTROYS to atone for them deserves ali
the love man can give her. Pauline, when
you have done this, my darling, may l ask
you when you will be my wife?"
She sObbed out that she was unworthy
all unworthy; but he would not even hear
the words.
None the less dear are you for having
told me your faults There is only one
word now, my darling, to keep in view; and
that is, 'atOnement.'
She looked up at him with happy, glisten
ing eyes.
"Vane," she said, 81 will go to Darrell
Court tomorrow. / shall never rest now
until l have done what you wish me to do"
So far had love redeemed her that she was
ready to undo all the wrong she had done, at
any cost to her pride.
for her yet
Ito be continned.)