Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-25

cares faTorite. Lionel Stanhope sat
there for hours. He did not know or
heed. did not even hear. perhaps. the
monotonous boom of the breakers far
below. His ears were closed 10 all
outward sounds. his eyes to all ont
ward sights
He had carried his wife to her
chamber. and laid her upon the couch.
and had summoned Eugene. telling
her. her mistress had been troubled
with all that had happened on the
night before. She lay like one dead
for long, very long; and all that Eu-
genie, skilled in such matters. could
do, failed to wake her from her dead
like swoOn. But at length she had
come back to life, and then sunk into
sleep, murmuring softly to herself
every now and then. as though her
dreams even were full of SORROW He
leave her; he would watch, she had
better retire, he would call her if she
wanted. SO he was left alone to watch
the white StatueSque face and read
the look and anguish printed in every
soft line. How fair, how eXQuisitely
nodded was every feature! How young,
how almost a child she looked, the
silky tiny tresses of her hair strayirg
over the pillows! Was it true that
those sweet lips had said the words
that had crushed into his soul-''I have
never loved you, 1 never shall? Should
he never hold more than the beautiful
casket? The jewel-was that gone?
Fearing lest his rigid control might
give way, he had left her side and
come and sat by the red embers, and
thought-sad, bitter, dark thought
had held counsel with him.
Was it too late to strive with patient
gentleness to win her love, to melt her
pride, to teach her to forget the wrong
he had unwittingly done her? II have
never loved you'll never shall" Like
lead those words fell upon his heart
in answer; and again, as though they
had been spoken by the clear, sweet
voice, he bowed his head low on his
clasped hands.
Softly the inner door, slightly ajar,
was pushed open. Glare came in with
slow, doubtful step. She looked like
some pallid, unearthly spirit in the
long white wrapper that she wore. her
hair falling upon her shoulders in
loose, shining tresses. Slowly she
moved forward, setting down the lamp
that she bore, the pale rays of which
cast such a greWSOme light around.
Had he not heard her, or was it that
he had shut his heart to her, and
would never look on her without stern
ness now? Surely, if she pleaded
humbly-not claiming mercy, only be-
seeching it-would he not forgive?
She paused, locking her hands to-
gether, some few PAGES from him, her
breath coming quickly, fitfully; then,
with sudden, Overmastering agony,
that no fear could crush back now,
she fell at his feet, bowling her golden
head down upon her shaking hands.
Lionel, forgive me-forgive me!'
came in a passion of appeal from the
quivering lips.
With a low cry he bounded to his
feet, standing for a second like one
almost dizzy with the sudden revul-
sion. He saw the white-robed form
crouching like some guilty creature
at his feet, with trembling hands hid
ing her face. With a passionate ten
derness that would fain ingulf every
sorrow of hers, he bent to raise her,
lifting her and Unfolding her in his
armS-her Shelter-her strong shelter.
MY darling!" The low, quivering
voice, so broken, so full of infinite
love, thrust her through as with a
sharp dagger, yet was so like sweet
music to her. "Clare, Glare, try to
think my love could forgive yet more
bitter wrong!"
She chung to him, as though in his
very arms lay salvation. Her fingers
closed round his hand with a con-
yulsive clasp that seemed to fear re-
pulse the next second.
Save me, save me, Lionel. Don't
cast me from your she cried again
and again in wild entreaty, which
he strOve to soothe.
Cast you aWay-my wife, my only
treasurer" he said, holding her yet
closer to him, my child, from what
shall l save your
From myself, myself" she moaned
hiding her face-''my own wild, guilty
heart-memory! Oh! that stings like
a thousand scorpionsr'
Hush, hush, my darlingr' he said,
his lips touching gently the dear head
against his breast. "There is no guilt
to me; this heart beating against mine
is all stainless Of sin; thoughts that
will not always yield obedience to
will are not sim
1T is true; l did not dream itr she
cried, lifting her head, and knitting
her brOws with the spasm of mental
agony his words had brought. You
said it was bitter, when I-Oh! those
cruel. awful words of mine! They cut
into my heart. and are open wounds
that will never, never heal!' And she
burst into cOnvulsive. agonized weep
ing.
My child said Liinel very softly,
Il ask only for your trust. VIII you
not trust my love to forgive, to re-
member no more, to let the past be
buried. forgotten, as though it had
never been? All! Glare, it would be
my hearts joy to be trusted-only
trusted!''
II have wronged you so; [ have
been so unjust, so proudly cold. You
do not know ALL she murmured