Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-17
LOVES VICTORY.
~ BERTHA II. CLAY.

your lite, my darling" he said, your
beautiful bright life, your love, your happi-
ness, will all be sacr iced"
''They must be. You see, Vane, she clings
70 me in her sorrow. His name-Aubrey
Langton's name-never passes her lips to
any one else but me. She talks of him the
night and the day through-it is the only
comfort she has; and then she likes me to be
with her, and soothe her, and she tires so
soon Of any one else. [ cannot leave her,
Vane-it would shorten her life. | am sure"
he maze no answer. 0ne looked up at
him with fearful eyes.
Speak to me, Vano 1t is hard, l know
but tell me that am right"
you are cruelty right" he replied. "Oh,
my darling, it is very hard! Yet you make
her noble atonement for the wrong you
have done-a noble reparation. My darling,
Is this how your VOW of vengeance has end
ed-in the greatest sacrifice woman could
make"
''Your love has saved me-" she said, gen.
dy-"haS shown me what is right and what
Is wrong-has cleared the mist from my eyes,
But for that-oh, Vane, hate to think what
/ should have beenI'
Il wish it were possible to give up the ap-
pointment," he remarked, musingjy.
WOuIu uOL Hay yUu uO IT, V dllS-
of Lady st. Lawrence-how she has worked
for it. Remember, it is your only chance of
ever being what she wishes to see you. You
must not give it up"
''But how can I leave you, Pauline"
IF you remain in England, it will make
but little difference, she said. 81 can never
leave Lady Darrell while she lives"
'But, Pauline, it may be four, or five, or
six years before | return, and all that time
shall never see you.
She wrung her hands, but no murmur pass
ed her lips save that it was her fault-all her
fault-the price of her sin.
'Vane," she said, you must not tell Lady
Darrell what you came to ask me. She must
know that you are here only to say goodbye.
/ would rather keep her in ignorance; she
will be the happier for not knowing"
Was ever anything seen like that love and
that sorrOwthe love of two noble souls, two
noble hearts, and the sorrow that parting
more bitter than death brought upon them?
Even Miss Hastings did not know until long
after Sir Vane was gone of the sacri ce Pau
line had made in the brave endeavOr to atone
for her sin.
She never forgot the agony Of that parting
how Sir Vane stood before them, pale,
worn, and sad, impressing one thing on them
all-care for his darling. Even to Lady Oar
rell, the frail, delicate invalid, whose feeble
stock of strength seemed to be derived from
Pauline, he gave many charges.
ut will be so long before | see her again."
he said; ''but you will keep her safely for
me-"
II almost wonder" said Lady Darrell,
"why you do not ask Pauline to accompany
you, Sir Vane. For my own sake, [ am
most selfshly glad that you have not done so
! should soon die without her"
They looked at each other, the two who
were giving up so much for her, but spoke no
word.
Sir VanG was obliged to return to London
that same day. He spoke of seeing Pauline
again, but she 0bi@et'd-it would only be a
renewal of most bitter and hopeless sorrow.
So they babe each other farewell under the
lime-hees. The bitter yet sweet memory of
it lasted them for life.
Miss HASTINGS understood somewhat of the
pain it would cause, but with her gentle con-
sideration, she fought it best to leave Pau
line for time. Hours afterWard she went
in search of her, and found her under the
lines, weeping and moaning for the atone
meHt she had made for her sin.