Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-05-14

the fur rug sank down at Dick New
neifs feet and pillowed her fair head
on his knee.
81 want to tell you, Dick: for the
hrst time, for the last time, what m,
past life has been to me. Do not stop
me; l feel must speak of it before
bury it out of sight, out of remeu,-
brance forever"
She took his hand in hers, and as she
spoke on. patted and smoothed and
kissed it as loving women will.
i was unwelcome when I was born.
My father and mother openly avowed
their dislike for children, and neither
ever forgave the other for the addition
to their family. In these days they were
rich, but was left to servants and gov
ernesses who treated me as they pleased.
was IA. and my parents were almost
strangers to me, when the financial
crash came which dragged my fathers
Lame, with scores of others, through the
mire of all England. Poverty and the
narrowness of our new home brought
me for the first time into daily and
hourly contact with my parents. Oh!
Dick. it was shameful-terrible to live
with two people who never met without
reproaches, scorn and contempt; who
never parted without tears and oaths.
One day. wonder whether anything
even your love-will wipe out that hid
eous revolutionary father struck my
mother. That night she left him"
Like frightened child, pale-cheeked
and trembling, Lydia chung to her lover.
I'll 7 20 Il -
yourself by recalling the wretched
past" he cried.
But she persisted, saying it was for
the last time, for ever.
az never saw her again, but the gossip
of the house filtered to my ears, and the
great divorce case between Lord and
Lady Mardale was too much whispered
about for me not to hear it. was left
on my fathers hands, and for a year
knew at least measure of peace. But
little as he ever saw of me, much as he
neglected me, 1 suppose I was him
drance in his life, or perhaps too keen
a reminder of my mother. One day-it
was my birthday, was 16-he told me
he was going to give me husband. 1
scarcely remonstrated-L was too ig-
way, too eager to grasp at possible hap
piness for another. Twas married to Mr.
Werner month later"
Her voice died away, lost in the sea
of recollections which the four years of
her married life had let loose upon her.
Don't speak of him, LYDIA cried
Dick Meynell, Il cannot bear it."
But she neither heard nor headed her
lovers words. AS in dream, with
large eyes fixed upon the blazing fire,
and lips that scarcely stirred, she ram
bled on.
''Oh! the horror of that hideous mar
rage. The Moloch that devoured chill
dren was more merciful than the Satyr
who in human guise kills all that is best
and purest in girlhood. For two years
my life was a torture" she kissed
Dicks hand 90 times, as though in miti-
cation of her words-''then one day
courage came to me and the dim recol-
lection of a connection of my mother who
might help he. 1t was to him, Sir Geof-
frey Thorp, / went. How kind he was.
1t was his hand that opened to me lit
tie way the door of freedom, and which
gained for me the separation which gave
me time to regain some of my broken
self-respect."
Her voice changed from it's low, sad
key, and she went on brightly, each
word ringing gayer through the warm,
violet-scented atmosphere.
''Then one day, Sir Godfrey and his
dear wife came to me with the keys of
my liberty in their hands. My wretched
husband had given me the final proof of
his sin. Do you know, Dick, that shame
full wrong which is the death knell to
the love and happiness of most women,
was a veritable JOY bell to me. Oh!
dearest, hope am not very bad so to
rejoice in another's sin, but it was just
ut that time-I first met YOU
She blushed deliciously over her con-
fession.
THE rest you know. The divorce was
easy enough--he never even attempted
to defend himself. 1 wonder why Sir
of defense"
But was not your-Mr. Vernon out of
England when the case came on?"
queried Dick, forced against his will to
take interest in the business he hated
most in the world.
Il think So" said Lydia. 'At any rate
he neither appeared nor was he repre-
scented. But have seen him twice since
then, and he is in London now-or was,
two days ago. The Thorps passed him
i'll Piccadilly."
Dick Meynell moved uneasily in his
chair.
The presence in the same city with
himself of the man who had made life
so hard for the woman he hoped within
a few hours to cal his wife CALLED and
disquieted him unaccountably.
His movement reused Lydia from her
curled-up attitude at his feet. She
looked up at the clock.
''IIow late it is! / wonder what IS
keeping Sir Godfrey. He said he would
come here the minute the decree abso-
lutte was pronounced-tha it was only
matter of a moment or two. Surely
the courts must have risen by now"
Dick Meynell was too busy with his
cwn thoughts to heed her words.
Lydia, my darling, you know how it
pains me TO discuss the question of your
past marriage with you, for it always
seems an insult to even mention man
such as Vernon iii your presence; but
have you ever spoken with him since
the case?"
'Oh, yes" said Lydia. frankly, and
rising to her feet as she spoke.
ssNou'ye seen hiu,-aIona -" cried Nav