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

Captain LangtOn looked up in surprise not
altogether unfOunded, the sight that met his
eyes was so unusual
Before him stood Lady Darrell, her face
white as death, her lips quivering with ex-
element, her superb dress of pink brocade
all disarranged, her golden hair falling over
her beautiful shoulders-a sight not TO be
forgotten; she held Pauline by the hand, and
in all her life Lady Darrell had never looked
so agitated as now.
Captain Langton," said Lady Darrell,
"will you come here? l want you most par
ticularly."
1t was by pure chance that she opened the
library d0or-it was the one nearest to her.
"Will you follow me?" she said
lie looked from one to the other with some
what of confusion in his face.
Miss DarrellI' he cried. why, thought
you were at Omberleighr'
Pauline made no reply.
Lady Darrell held the library door open
and turned the key.
Captain LangtOn looked at her in wonder
''Elnor" ne said. what does this mean?
Are you going to play tragedy or farce?'
''That will depend upon you," she answer
ed; Il am glad and thankful to have brought
you and Miss Darrell face to face. Now l
shall know the truth"
The surprise on his face decpened into an
angry scowl.
What do you mean?' he demanded,
sharply Il do not understand"
1t was a scene never to be forgotten. The
library was dim with the shadows of the au-
tumn evening, and in the gloom Lady Oar
relPs pale pink dress, golden hair, and white
arms bare to the shoulder, seemed to attract
all the light; her face was changed from its
great agitatiOn-the calm, fair beauty, the
gentle caressing manner were gone.
Near her stood Pauline, whose countenance
was softened with compassion and pity I'M
the dark eyes shining as through a
mist of tears.
Before them, as a criminal before his
Judges, stood Aubrey Langton, with an an
CRY scOWl Oil his handsome face, and yet
like fear III his eyes
What is it?' he cried, Inpatiently. Il
understand this at ALL"
Lady Darrell turned her pale face to him.
Captain Langton." she said, gravely
Miss Darrell brings terrible accusation
against you. She tells me that you stole the
roll of notes that Sir Oswald missed, and that
at the price Of her life You eXtorted an oath
from her not to betray you; is it true?"
She looked at him bravely, fearlesSly.
1T is lei" he said.
Lady DarrellrOntinued:
Here in this room, where we are stand
ing now, she tells me that the scene took
place, and that finding she had discovered
you in the very act of theft, YOU held a load
,iCtp tn hn tha 9TH,
you dictated. Is it true or false?'
1t is lie!' he repeated; but his lips We're
growing white, and great drops stood upon
his brow.
"She tells me-" resumed Lady Darrell.
that you loved her, and that you care only
for Darrell Court not for me. Is it true%'
1T is all false" he said, hoarsely-' false
from beginning to end! She hates you, she
hates me, and this foul SANDER has only been
invented to part us?:'
Lady Darrell looked from one to the other.
Now, Heaven help mer' she cried.
(Which am | to belicye?'
Grave and composed, with u certain mai
esty OF truth that could never be mistaken,
Pauline raised her right hand.
Lady DARRELL she said, Il swear to you,
in the presence OF Heaven, that | have SpOk-
ed nothing but the truth
And | swear it is falser' cried Aubrey
Langton.
But appearances were against him: Lady
Darrell saw that he tremblgd, that his lips
worked almost cOnvulSively, and that great
drops stood upon his brow
Pauline looked at him; those dark eyes
that had iii them no shadow save of infinite
pity and sorrow seemed to penetrate his soul,
and he shrank from the glance.
''Elinor" he cried, you believe me, sure
ly? Miss Darrell has always hated you, and
this is her revenge"
Lady Darrell" said the girl, Il am asham-
ed OF my hatred and ashamed Of my desire
for vengeance. There is no humiliation to
which | would not submit to atone for my
faults but every word | have said to you is
true"
Once more with troubled eyes Lady OAR
rell looked from one to the other; once more
she murmured:
Heaven help me! Which am to believer"
Then Captain Langton, with light laugh,
said:
rs the farce ended, Lady Darrell? You
see it is no tragedy after ALL"
Pauline turned to him, and in the light of
weak.
Captain LangtOn," she said, 81 appeal to
whatever there is of good and just in you
Own to the truth. YOu need not be afraid of
it-Lady Darrell will not injure you. She
will think better of you if you confess than
if you deny. Tell her that you were led into
error, and trust to her kindness for pardon"
''She speaks wei" observed Lady Darrell,
slowly. "If you are guilty,it is better to tell
me sou
He laughed again, but the laugh was not
pleasant to her. Pauline continued:
Let the evil rest where it is Captain
LangtOn; do not make it any greater. In
your heart you know that you have no love
for this lady-it is her fortune that attracts
you. If you marry her, it will only be to
make her unhappy for life. Admit your
fault and leave her IN peace"
You are d remarkably free-spoken young
lady, Miss Darell-you have quite All ora
torical flow of words. 1t is fortunate that
Lady Darrell knows you, OF she might be
tcnnted 70 believe you. Elinor. l rest my
claim on th1S-Since you have known MISS
Darrell, have you ever received one act OF
kindness from her, one kind word eyen?'
Lady Darrell was obliged to answer:
NO"
Then leave it, he said, ''to your sense
OF justice which of us you are to believe now
her who, to anger you, swearS to my guilt
or me, who swears to my innocence? Elinor,
my love, you cannot doubt me-"
Pauline saw her eyes soften with unutter
able tenderness-he saw faint flush rise or
the fair face. Almost involuntarily Lady
Darrell drew near to him.
Il cannot bear to doubt you, Aubrey" she
said. ''Oh, speak the truth to me, for my
loves SakeT'
Il do speak the truth. Come with me
leave Miss Darrell for while. Walk Will
ME across the lawn, and will tell you VIVA
reSnect for Miss Darrell prevents my sayins