Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-20

thoughtless and child-like as she
seemed. had a strong vein Of obstinacy
in her disposition. and, as usual. sue
ceeded in gaining her own way.
What the curate dreaded came to
pass. Ada's pretty fiighty head was
completely turned by the adulation she
received. and the tears she had shed
when she parted from her lover were
dried and replaced by smiles sooner
than even he had thought possible.
Then Gerald Weare came upon the
scene-a young man belonging TO the
wealthiest family in Sydney. and pos
sessed of handsome fortune in his
own right. besides some expectations
Directly the two sisters appeared in so
ciety he attached himself 10 them: and.
after more than a months most no
ticeabIe devotion. he proposed to the
younger one.
To Elaine's Indignation. Ada ac-
cepted him at once, with no mention
of the promise that she had already
given: and. when demonstrated With
upon the deceit she had practiced. she
retorted with those cruel words which
had been brought forward at the in
Quiry after her death
You are jealous because he loves
me best
The taunt had contained the more
bitterness because in measure it was
true Elaine's fancy had been taken
by the young fellow. whose attentions
had always been pretty equally be-
slowed, and who had not been alto
gether guiltless of filtration where she
was concerned. Though he preferred
the younger, gayer sister, he had not
been always able to resist the pleasure
of seeing the elder flush at his COM
ing, and her lovely eyes droOp shyly
at his whispered words.
Elaine could not contain the indigna-
ton she felt. and the hot words that
passed between them neither forgaye
till for one forgiveness was too late.
A week passed, during which the sis
tiers never addressed each other eX-
cept when absolutely obliged to do so
"a week during which Gerald Weare
was always with his fancee; and
Elaine stood apart, seeing the love she
had thought to be her own lavished
upon another.
Then one night-that fatal night
Ada had hurried from the theater and
insisted en- going alone through the
public gardens, though Elaine had so
far unbe ut as to beg to be allowed &c
go with her The streets of Sydney
were scarcely safe for any woman to-
traverse alone so late at night, and
the pretty actresses had one admirer
at least who would not be overscrupu-
lOus in the manner of his wooing, on
whose account the pistol had been pro
cured and it's use learned.
Against her earnest warning. Ada
had gone, and the sisters had never
met again.
This was all Elaine had to tell, and
Colonel Severn remained for awhile in
thoughtful silence. His own idea that
she was suffering for the sake of some
one whom she wished to shield was a
wrong one. He knew her to be as in
nOceuL as she had declared herself;
but there was nothing in her story that
would clear her to the world-indeed it
would only go against her that, by her
own confession, she had quarreled
With her sister on account of Gerald
Weare, jealousy being the motive that
caused SO many crimes. 1t would be
more difficult than he had supposed to
prove her not guilty of the fearful
charge against her.
Only one ray of light showed through
the darkness. The younG man. Robert
Field, maddened by jealous pain,
might have murdered his sweetheart
rather than see her become the wife
of another But at this suggestion
Elaine smiled family. Tie young cur
ate had not belonged to the church
militant by any means, and had had
almost a womanish dread of destroy
ing even insect life. He was more
likely to become a victim to melan-
choly madness.
And you can think Of no one else 1T
would be possible to suspect?7
mo one. Ada was a favorite with
every one-haG never made an enemy
in Der life"
Did any one know Of the existence
Of this other lover?'
mo one" returned Elaine again;
and then, suddenly remembering her
last conversation with Gerald Weare,
she added, hastily, L am wrong.
Some one must have known, for when
Mr.. Weare was here he spoke ofh~it,
but the knowledge had come lately"
why do you think sou
Because he spoke so bitterly of her,
and when he first heard of her death
he was broken-h hearted. Poor fellow,
he has altered terriblyr' Then she
told him what he had said that day
how, if ever again she was forced to
defend herself. he could give evidence
that would transfer suspicion to some
one else. Not she said, gravely,
! that we should lay too much stress
| on that. for, unless I misunderstood
! him. he meant Robert Field; and l am
! sure-uuite sure-that he would not
! have raised a finger to hurt heI-no,
not to save his own life
! TT is always difficult TO believe evil
I of those we have known WE'LL he re
minded her.
! II know that; and l have no means
! of proving what I believe to be true.
, 1t is only an idea, an intuition; but
"A woman's intuition is seldom
wrong
He spoke rather absently, his
! thoughts being far away with Gerald