Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-05-30

1eH beN 4IueTeu, UeSdu 10 cry.
Take them away" Hyacinth said,
half wildly.
| And Gerald, without a word. took
them to the door, and gave them to
Johnson in charge, then Sprang to his
wife's side
My darling, what is it, what" he
began.
Then he caught sight of the paper
on the floor, picked it up and read.
his brow as black as night.
1t was a citation to Lady Hyacinth
Ninnifred Egerton. wife of Gerald
MOI eton Egerton. Esq, of such and
such places, TO appear on the - of
July. 1888. as correspondent in the
case OF Murray V. Murray and Egerton
1T is a lie, fiendish lie," Gerald
SAID passionately, fiercely, and set his
foot down on the document.
Then quickly turned to his wife, as
she stood there still covering. and took
her IN his arms, straining her to him
with a passion that shook him from
head to foot. and she hid her face on
his breast, clinging to him in her
agony.
My darling, my own darling wifer'
the man said, hoarsely; "you never
think | should believe that? that 7
doubt you'll an angel from heaven
had told me you had sfnned? But
It's all a mistake, dearest-it must be
mistake, sweetheart" getting him
self under control, now. and speaking
SO tenderly. You are quivering So"
He put her into a low chair and
knelt beside her, gathering her to his
arms again, and soothed her as she
lay sobbing on his breast.
See, my own child, it can be ONLY
mistake. Who would dare accuse
you, my wife, he said that through
his teeth. then softly again, dearest
be sure, it is nothing else"
You would believe mech, Gerald
Gerald-the shamen' the poor girl
sobbed, cOnvulsively. They can't
they can't condemn, me, can they?"
'NO-no-my darling. I'll go down
directly to Austin and see about it:
and by Heavens" said Gerald, slowly,
1T shall go hard with those who either
have made a mistake or 50 lightly ac-
cuSed my wife"
When Hyacinth had grown a little
calmer and still, only utterly shaken.
chung about her husbands neck, hiding
her face, hurt and wounded by the
very breath of suspicion, he asked her
gently about her movements of late"
Because, you see, my own child, if
this should be no stupid mistake he
said, tenderly. but steadily, I'VE must
try and think and be brave and steady
over it. Perhaps by the time l get
back. sweetheart, you will remember
[ must 90 down. l am in torture till
| know something about this-this
damnable lie"
"Ah, Gerald the girl said, culver
ingly, I'VE were too happy
Nay, nay, sweetheart, you must not
be afraid" Gerald answered her,
soothingly. keep a brave heart, my
child. You trust me utterly, dearest"
She looked up straight into his eyes
the color flushed her cheek.
She hid her face.
Husband" she said, sOftly-trem-
uloUsly, 1--WE are-one-you and /
you know l could never sin against
you"
He caught her to him in a passion
of tenderness. and pressed his lips to
hers again and again; then rose and
tore himself away.
Yes-jt was too true-it was no mis-
take.
Lady Hyacinth Egerton had been
watched.
Sch had been seen to enter a house
near Hampstead Heath on such and
such a day.
WitneSses-reliable and independent
ones could prove that-had seen her
walking across the Heath.
She had left the carria ge-sent it
home saying her friends would see
her to the West Hampstead Station.
1t was all so circumstantial that had
a man had less absolute faith in his
wife he might we'll have been shaken
at least. But not Gerald Egerton for
an instant.
''The respondent does not deny the
charge, the petitioners solicitors in
formed me, Also" said Mr. Austin,
who had obtained all these particu-
;ars; she does not appear, I believe"
He will have to-" said Egerton,
grimly; my wife will deny, of course,
and set up a case of mistaken iden-
tity. She did, as a matter of fact,
make visit to an old friend living
somewhere near the Heath. but found
the house shut up. She walked to the
station. she told me at the time, she
thought it would be fun poor child.
to come by the undergroundr Gerald
said bitterly, Il wish to Heaven now
! she had never played that freak
Hyacinth was overwhelmed when all
this was told her.
; For alas! she could only tell the
truth She had sent away the carriage
as, of course, her coachman and foot
man would witness against her, liking
to walk across the Heath. and thinking
it would be great lark to come home
by herself. by the underground
: And you told me. Gerald. never to
do it again." she whispered sorrow
fully, only comforted at all by his
close clasp and soft kisses Il went
to the houSe-a row of SmalliSh houses
where I expected to find old Mrs
Ray. our rectorS widow-and found
her gone. Then l lost my way to the
station, and got there rather late-you
remember. told you.
J 7 know darling. What did yoJ
wear do you remember?"