Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-17


That is so. But that punishment
weighs upon me too, and more heavily
than you imagine The sight of nv
ruined home, the publicity of all, and
the scandal afoat."
You were infexible."
MY dignity was at stake, sir"
Say your pride"
"Yes, and my hate. | could not for
give you for giving me a rival"
"A rival! l have told you hundred
times how it was. You were off in the
country. nursing your mother. You
had all the children, and there | was
alone in Paris for months. with moth
ing to do and bored to death. Then
the opportunity came.
However, enough of this. 7 shall
say nothing further than is necessary.
and hope you will spare meanv more
determinations. But promise me that
you will not try to ALLEVIATE the child
rem from me. For / am still their
father"
Il promise"
"Very well. have only to bid good
bye. You have judged me strictly,
and have given blow for blow. Ican't
complain, for the law is on your side.
VIII you call the children and let me
kiss them before / go9"
Certainly"
The Countess left the room, return
ing presently with the girls.
Are you going away?" exclaimed
Christine in alarm, clinging to him.
The Count faced about and saw
Yvonne sleeping heavily in her moth
er's arms.
He drew her close to him and gently
kissed her.
Yes" he answered. Il am going
on journey, rather long one, little
girl, but shall be back soon, and find
you quite grown up"
AS the two little girls left the room
Gaeton rushed in. He brushed by the
Countess, gathered up his books and
exercises, and hastily bundled them
into his sachel
care you not going to kiss mep" ask
ed his father. "Don't you know that /
am going 'away?"
wait till | get my things" he said.
Then he took the sachel and fasten-
ed it on his fathers valise by the
straps.
what are you doing, Gaetan?" ask
ed the Countess. Did | not tell you
that your father was in haste?"
Gaetan Strengthened himself up and
turned toward his mother, saying, in
tone of resolute defiance: 81 must GER
tainly take my books, for l am going
with father!"
In vain the Countess held out her
arms to him. He only cried still more
vehemently: NO, no; l do not love
you. | heard you drive papa away"
His father tried in turn to draw him
towards his mother, saying gently: "My
boy, be reasonable; you are causing
your mother much pain"
But in the middle of his nervous
fury the boy suddenly sank to the
floor and lay at his length upon the
carpet, crying over and over again:
Papa, papa" as though his heart
would break.
The Count lifted him and placed him
in the great armchair, and his mother,
in great agitation, kneeled by his side.
But with violent movement of his arm
the boy pushed her rudely away.
"Who could have told Gaetan such
stories?" asked the Count.
Nobody has told me anything" said
Gaetan, through his tears. "They
took us into dinner, but | saw John
packing a valise, and | came back.
The door of the room was open, and
got behind the screen. And when I
heard mamma scolding you, and found
that she had taken her keys, I made up
my mind not to love her, and to 90
away with you"
MY boy, you did very wrong to
listen, and you did not understand
what your mother said. BE quiet,
and believe what l tell you. | have
given her the keys because | am going
away"
Come, my dear Gaetan, papa is tell
ING the truth He will return in few
days"
why do you say that mammal l
heard father say he would never re-
turn, even to come and see us. Be
sides, YvOnne warned us. She has often
caught papa crying in his study"
All" said the Countess. you
wept. Why did you hide that, and let
me think you wrapped in your proud
insensibility?"
because You would have laughed
at my distress, and / would not give
you the pleasure of seeing my tears"
Both parents were now kneeling by
the side of their boy, ami the Countess
was gazing into her husbands eyes as
though she would read his very soul.
You see very well that | must 90
with him" said the boy "You will
have Christine and Yyonne. and it is
not fair to leave him alone"
SO YOU refuse to stay with me?"
said the Countess.
Yes, because you are 50 mean"
"And suppose | give the keys back
to your father and make him stay
bere?"
"Oh, my dear good mamma"
The boy passed one arm around his
mothers neck, his other one being
still around his fathers so that he held
them both in one embrace.
Then, mamma, as you have made
him cry, kiss him and then l will kiss
you with all my heart"
"Clotilde!" begged the Count, over
come, "for our boys sake!"
Eyes! And for yours, too" sighed
the Countess, letting her head fall up
on her husbands shoulder.
Thoughts on Things