Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-27

ment denunciation, and her voice had
risen to Shrek
Colonel Severn's quiet tones in reply |
came as a relief to all.
She can prove it now. Mr.. Levison.
may l request your perusal of this?"-
handing the same paper that Mrs
Priolo had seen in Elaine's hand two
days before. and a telegraphic en-
velope as well.
1t is unnecessary-quit unneces-
sary, l assure you" protested the law
yer. This is raying Misunderstanding
less
unfortunately it has a foundation
Of truth. The fact is correct that three
years ago Elaine Warrington, my
promised wife, escaped from Sydney
because she could not defend herself
from the charge of having murdered
her own sister: but since the real muir
derer has confessed"
"Oh, hush-hush. Have you for
gotten your promises?" cried Elaine,
brea Ihlessly.
Il am absolved from it by death.
Just as we were starting for the Gene
terry this morning a telegram was
given into my hand, telling me that
| Gerald Weare had been in that rail
way accident between London and
Dover, and had died from the effects.
He had desired that the information
might be conveyed Immediately to me.
Poor fellow, it was a happy deliver
ance for him; and. Elaine, it is a de-
| liverance for your! | have given these
papers into Mr.. Levison'S hands so
that he may communicate with the po-
| lice at Sydney and the mystery of
your sisters murder may be cleared
j up"
i Elaine burst into tears-welcOme
, tears that eased her heart and came
as a passionate relief after the anxious
! strain of so many weary months.
. Severn, with his arm around her
waist, soothed her as best he could.
! Mr.. LevisOn, with his back toward
them, rapidly ran through the papers
+ intrusted to his care, while Mrs. Priolo
eagerly scanned his face to see if all
hope was gone. His expression of alb
solute satisfaction showed that it was
indeed so-that, we'll and warily as
she played her cards, she had by I'M
foreseen chances missed success. Hon.
esty in this case would have been the
best and most paying policy.
Mr.. LevisOn shook hands with Colo
mel Severn and Elaine. congratulating
them heartily, ard promising them a
speedy settlement of the affairs. AS
he left the room Mrs. Priolo also rose
to go, feeling that nothing could be
gained by remaining.
George" whispered Elaine, ''she is
nearly penniless, | am afraid"
'She deserves to be So" muttered
the colonel, angrily; but. obedient to
her wish, which he guessed instinc-
lively, he called the woman back.
She turned and faced him defantly,
expecting rebuke.
Miss Warrington does not desire
that you should go entirely unre-
warded for your services, though you
forfeited all gratitude flOm Mr.. Bow
yer by your cOwardly desertion Of him
in the hour of danger, and certainly
deserve no consideration from herself.
To keep you from actual want she will
allow you an annuity of two hundred
a year; and that will do away with the
necessity of seeking any other employ
ment, and perhaps working to others
the harm you have worked here
II am sure, sir, from whatever mo
tive given. [ am grateful for your help;
and I wish you and Miss Elaine every
happiness and"
THAT will do-that will do!' inter
rupted Severn, feeling that blessings
from such a source might have an evil
effect.
With a bland expression such as she
could assume when it suited her pur-
pose to be conciliatory, and with a low
respectful courtesy, Mrs. Priolo with
drew; and with her went the last
shadow of EIaine's life. The future
would be all joy, all peace, with only
those minor troubles which serve to ac-
centuate the happiness they can not
disturb.
Oftener it seems that the greater the
pain, the sWeeter and fuller is the
compensation.
THE END.