Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-04

Joined the throng But the world could
not read Lionel Stanhope's mind, and
| did not see that he did take notice
of Rex Werner, that he read him. and
read too somewhat of Clare's mind,
of the shadow that darkened her soul
only the shadow of a past love, a
memory strong enough to widen the
! gulf that lay wide enough, He only
knew, between them. And yet there
| tender pity-in his heart for her-no
blame, no anger no distrust. He
| though he was man-could under
stan,., with very sure and subtle
precedence. the fine line that separated
her, even in thought, from sin. But
to say word to Clare would seem
| like distrust She might not UNDER
stand him. What did she know Of
his mind? As long as Rex excited
no public gossip about her he was
1 sileEt. far too proud to suffer either
him. or Clare. or the world, to imagine
he had not full trust in the woman
who lore his name. And so Glare,
| VI HtI NlSiI--
he was obliged to sap" he said, writ
ing one Of his bright letters to her
was alone, to battle through the weeks
and months, and sometimes turn, with
a half-wild yearning, to her husband,
yet checked by the memory of the
wrong she believed he had done her.
And on all sides there were whispers
that Rex Werner was "a wild scamp"
a reckless dog" They said it in
the clubs, and laughed; they met him
on the turf; and there was one or two
of different class and occupation
from the young men of st. James's
Street and Pail Mall who fancied Rex
Werner might be met in society lower
yet than that which honors the turf
Some leaders in society began to
look coldly on handsome Rex; others
said, Lady Stanhope receives him as
usual. There can not be more harm
in him than in most others. and they
are received"
But Lady Stanhope and Rex Werner
were friends-possibly something more
before she was married." replied GER
tain listeners, Lady Trent was one of
these.
One day Lionel said to his wife:
Were you not riding yesterday with
Colonel Morton's wife and Mr.. Werner
in the park. and did you not afterward
go to Richmond"
Yes" she answered, rather list
lessly, looking up from the book she
was reading, wondering little too.
was it accident or was it an in
vitation? he asked. Mrs. Morton is
scarcely in YOU, set, Is she?"
"She asked me to ride with her and
Mr.. Verner-that was ALL | don't care
for her society. but | don't want to
associate myself with the stiff and
prudish people who almost cut her."
II have no wish for you to do So"
Lionel said with half smile. IL
mentioned the matter only because |
should prefer for you in the future to
refuse all Invitations of that sort which
include Mr.. Werner"
/ The girl looked up startled, and o
naughty flush sprung into her brow;
but in moment she had mastered her
SELF and, bending over her book, said:
Are you, Lionel, who led In general,
following suit with those who made
Mr.. Werner a parish? What moral
world we live in!'
He paused before he answered her,
pressing the firm lips together, still
ing, in that brief moment. the i'm
ha 40 l. oytx
sarcasm for sarcasm, and to command
without deigning reason.
Society is not too strict he said
then, quietly; ''but there are a few
depths left to which even man may
not descend and keep his place in the
world. And it is not that alone which
has led me to this decision
IF every one" Glare forced herself
to say, urged by the desperate know
ledge that Lionel spoke only truth
that this Rex she had loved was sink
ing lower and lower without one hand
stretched out to keep him back-"gives
him up, what hope Is there for him?'
There was slight contraction of
his brow, n stern light in his gray
eyes.
THAT is his concern, not ours;
neither man or woman can stand with
out strength of their own" He bent
and laid his hand on her shoulder, and
said with grave gentleness that
made her shrink and yet touched her
strangely-"A my wife's may not
kl.sa, lffrnl
/ He added almost Immediately, as
though he feared he had said too
much: "rhe worlds tongue spares no
one. Glare; and verv little snftices to
make it talk. But it Is not because
of mere club rumors that ! have ex-
pressed my wish. You understand me
that l wish from this time to drop
acquaintance with Mr.. Werner? When
he calls you will not see him, nor
/ Il n.f