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


down: and she knelt at his feet; clasp
ing her hands loosely together on his
knee, sometimes softly passing her
fingers over her wedding ring. with
q sorrowfui, wistful action that went
to his very heart.
1T has been such long. bitter
struggle" she said. dropping her head.
I have so often yearned to fall down
before you and meet your scorn. No
know nOW'-aS he touched her hand
with quick entreaty-''that you would
not have Scorned me: but l was too
proud and resentful, because of the
wrong I believed you had wrought
She paused: the words had fallen
with difficulty from her white lips
Lionel gently laid his hand upon her
head.
My child. do not think of that now;
at another time. if it will ease your
heart to speak of the past. do so
but now now
Yes, yes-nOw." she answered. Il
want to tell you all" she went on.
I'VE met again: and with his presence
came back at first all the memories
of the olden time. He was not so
changed then. Oh, Lionel! what shall
l say? How shall l ask you to trust
me? But. indeed, there was no dis
loyalty in my Soul-my will never
Strayed from its duty-Only this wild,
miserable heart chung so in its blind
ness to the only love it had known"
Il do trust you my child" Lionel
said, his voice very low and sup
pressed. "Clare, why will you try me
so bitterly?"
Because you must know me as
am" she answered again, almost
eagerly; then, relapsing into her old
way: but I strove only for duty,
Lionel, not for loves sake"
He turned a little aside; but if there
was pain, there was no bitterness in
his gentle words
"Weu, we'll, who shall say it may
not be nobler to strive for bare duty
than for love?"
In mute gratitude her soft lips half
timidly touched his hand. All. if she
had known but dimly the treasures of
noble love held in this mans SOUL
knowing what did" she said, II
could nOt-nO, I could not-tell you
that-tnat Rex Werner had sought re-
fuge with me; I dared not beseech
your mercy for him; moreover" she
added dropping her head down upon
his hand, Il was so proud, Lionel,
and L feared YOU
He quickly drew in his breath, but
bent down and looked into the dark
eyes so heavily Swallowed.
But you will never fear me again,
Clare" he said, with an almost
trembling usefulness in his low,
sweet voice; ''never. again? Say that
once, for my sake
Il shall never fear you, Lionel
she answered softly, and there was
now a tender half smile on the beau
tiful sad face. "My love shall try to
make atOnement for the past"
CHAPTER NV.
''In The Sunshine Of True Love"
The mysterious restitution of Lady
StanhOpe's diamonds was the theme
of the day in ''society''-and even
out of that charmed circle-the gossip
of club and Give o'clock" A para
graph which went the rounds of the
newspapers informed the public of
the extraordinary circumstance; and
1 no one being able to find another solU-
ton to the mystery, the highly ro-
mantle one of a repentant robber
found great favor with very young
ladies and very old ladies'; the middle
aged were more skeptical.
Lady Stanhope was repeatedly con-
graduated on the recovery of her lost
jewels, but she had schooled herself
to meet such congratulations with
calm, graceful courtesy, never volun-
teering any information about them.
Every one observed, however, that
she never wore them all that season,
and, when rallied by Lady Trent on
the subject, she answered, laughing
ly:
GA burned child breads the fire.
Wilfred never said aught about the
diamonds save a quiet 81 am so glad,
dear, you have the jewels again.
Perhaps he guessed something of the
truth. Certain it was that he per-
ceived that some subtle change had
quite recently passed over his sisters
stately home but only his long loving
kiss on her brow told her Of his
knowledge, and he never then or
afterward mentioned the name Of Rex
Werner.
Lights were flashing in many win
dows at the stately Castle on the
cliffs, one soft, mellow, August night.
The village seemed all astir; gay flags
and colored bunting were waving
from every house in High street
notably from the Stanhope Arms.
The village-folk had gathered in
groups, and We're talking and laugh
ing together; and a stranger, on pas
sing through, would have heard such
scraps from the women as 'White
SATIN And her jewels, Mary Ann
-Lor', they wor a sight to be seen!
But they worn't the diamonds. No;
they do say as my lady won't never
wear them more, though they wOr
fetched down from London yester-
day
and Miss Dora said a bright
cOuntry-woman, in all the bravery Of
rustic fine1y-'Mrs. Trevelyn as is
didn't she look pretty now, and Mr..
Wilfred? THERE never see a pref