Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-06-13

if you travel today. Do be advised!
L can't, Thurston. You are very
good Gerald answered, he drew in
his breath. Il must go to her at once,
he said, you can understand; l don't
feel anything, not want food or rest
III try and take something, to please
you" with faint smile.
Thurston would see his friend off
from Dover, and grasped his hand
warmly at parting.
You'll know what to say to Lady
Hyyacinth,' he said looking down.
1.-THE truth is Egerton-Tm ashamed
that | could ever-think-''
Dear old fellow" said Gerald, quiet
ly, neither she nor 1 blame any one
out of her own family"
Does RougemOnt know?'
- haven't told him, said Gerald with
black brow; ''he can find out If |
ever take his hand again. he said,
turning aside, ''it will be only because
Hyacinth asks it. Women are more
forgiving than we are
Il quite go with YOU" said Thurs
ton, and l never felt more delighted
than when you told me how you went
for that cur Murray"
Though you advised 'modera ton,
said Gerald, with a half smile. 1.-The
boats off, thank heaven. Goodbye:
we shall meet in a few days My
wife must come over before the adj
journed inquiry"
Boats, and trains, and carriage
seemed all too slow indeed for the man
who would fain have flown to the
woman he loved.
He curbed his Impotence as best he
could, and strove to be calm at the
4ast
But his heart was throbbing in his
throat as he sprang from the carriage
and walked up to the villa.
He did not want to meet Hyacinth
in the hall, and if he drove up to
tn door, she would be sure to come
out
The SignOra was in her own ROOM -
said the Italian servant, who smiled
bright welcome to the master they
all loved SO; and Gerald sprang across
the hall and only paused a minute
without his wife's door to steady him
self. Then he drew the curtain and
entered.
Gerald! oh, Gerald.' and with that
glad cry Hyacinth turned and threw
herself into his arms
MY darling. my own!' the man said,
quivering, wrapping her in a clasp that
thrilled to her heart, vague fears,
vague surmises going through her,
to foot.
He bowed his head ON hers, and
she felt hot tears on her cheek.
What had happened? the girl
thought, half fearful for him.
GERALD she whispered, and drew
his face down to hers, and laid her
cheek to his; dearest what is it?''
1t was a moment before he could
answer her at all-brokenly:
Darling, forgive! Can you bear?
You have borne sorrow this
! The clasp inyoluntarily tighte1led
she lifted wide, wild eyes to his
mutely.
! Then, with a fierce effort, he got him
self together a little.
My precious child.' he said, I'M
steadily still, yet more calmly, sit is
good news l bring you this time.
4, Sweetheart, your long agony is over;
the mystery is pierced at last. Your
name-your honor-will be cleared.
dearest. 1t is trne-try and realize
it!''
! Dizzy and faint almost the girl put
/ her hand to her forehead; then, with
| a smothered cry hid her face on her
| husbands breast; and he bent his
/! head to hers.
So, for minutes and minutes they
+ stood heart to heart, with no distinct
thought, all was swallowed up in the
mere consciousness of their being-Of
this dazzling joy-till at last, as if
impelled to some yet closer sympathy
she lifted her face to his, and he laid
his lips to her's-soul meeting soul in
that long, passionate pressure.
"Gerald!' Hyacinth whispered al
last, family.
Her head fell on his breast, her dark
eyes closed.
He held his breath and waited.
i She had not Swooned, it was but
the very ecstacy of happiness; and she
rallied, and the long lashes We're
lifted again, the soft lips quivered.
''Dearestr' she said, and raised her
self and he put her 10 Y fauteuil near
and knelt by her, she leaning agains
him; then her color changed, and SHE
moved-"Dear, you must let me go,
; she said, little quickly. 'You-yol
don't know how white and worn 20,
look-nay, darling" bending and kiss
ing his forehead, I will hear no wore
till l have been your 'ministerin:
angel to please me, Gerald!
I He was unstrung now the tension
0 was to some extent broken, and sub
!. mitted to be put into the chair from
2 which she rose. and to drink CRATE
!. fully the wine she brougn, him; bu
/ he could not eat.
d II have been on the travel since
z left YOU" he said, in rather es
hausted voice, land have taken scarce
" anything. So sweetheart, that
e better. He half smiled and drew he
Il to his heart, as she now knelt at hi
feet, and nestled close in his arm;
g NV precious wife! All! to see thos
dear eyes cloudless once morei-t
! know there is no shadow in you
lie smile!'
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