Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-18

+ less Rex, sunk so low, but the boy.
the bright, frank boy
A step in the corridor called her
/ back with an overwhelming shock to
; present lie. The door-handle was
turned, a shadow fell athwarth the
wall, and a hand that sent a thrill like
lightning through every quivering
nerve was laid on her shoulder, and
swung her back.
Then she saw him-cOld. naughty
! Lionel Stanhope-whom she had de-
ceiyed, bending over a PROSTATE form.
She saw him set his foot on Rex
Nerners breast as though he would
crush him.
"Dastard"' he said, in a low tone
with such concentration of passion as
for moment held her absolutely still
with fear what plea for mercy do
you dare offer that | should not sween
you from the earth?"
What a frantic passion of entreatv.
the girl sprung forward.
Lionel Lionel! have mercy! In pity.
hear mer'
He turned to her: but there was no
sottening now, even to her.
If you are wise, Clare" lo said,
you will be silent. Stand back"
She shrunk back as if his words
had stung her. Into her eyes came a
look of stony, bewildered horror and
then flash of passionate anger. But
she did not brave him, naughty as she
Ixr1S L.
her to quell her spirit.
Il ask no mercy at your hands"
Rex Werner said; but mine is alone
the fault-the-'
silence" cried Lionel, sternly. DO
| need one word of yours to tell me
that my wife is stainless in thought
as in deed?'
He drew back as he spoke folding
his arms tightly across his breast.
Heaven knew what it cost him to
crush down the tempest of passion
that for a moment had set even his
naughty will at defiance But the iron
will conquered even that pride. Rex
sprung to his feet, the red blood rush
ing to his brow, a blaze of wrath
died out; a new impulse had stirred
him.
Il have nothing to plead" Werner
said; then, in d low voice: II don't
know why you should believe me, but
may as well say it, 7 came here to-
night only to give back which is your
own. You know what l am, | sup
pose? l was hunted to death, and
turned to Glare for a refuge. We were
children tOgelher-boy and girl lovers,
and you stepped in and parted us with
your cursed gold. You can do as you
like with me, now the games up; but
tell you, Lionel Stanhope, that. thief
and gambler, as / am-convicted as |
shall bel love that girl better than
you do, with all your pride and all
your gifts!"
Almost involuntarily Glare again
made quick step forward, laying her
burning hand on her husbands arm;
for the fash that leaped into the
stern eyes made her heart stand still
and then bound with heavy thrObs.
But he put her back.
Have no fear, child!" he said, with
quiet, bitter contempt. "These hands
are too white to be stained with such
blood as that. To you"-and he turned
again to ReX-"I have few words to
say. Your liberty | give you to do
with as you can or may, upon these
conditiOns-that you leave England at
once, and never, not for 50 much as
a day, return to it's shores, that you
never presume to try to gain a foot
ing in any Continental society. and
that you never reveal to living crea-
ture one word of all that has passed.
I shall know if these conditions are
fulfilled. If they are broken, you know
the alternative; and you know also,
possibly, that I never fail in my
word Chooser'
With a half laugh Rex turned on his
heel
To be continued.