Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-03-12

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very gently, very sorrowfully, but with
perfect conviction Of tone.
Then, why-why-"
why did she marry me? All, that
is the question. You are never likely
to be tempted, child, but | will say to
you as | would to every woman | knew
never marry for anything but love;
never marry for position or wealth or
social advancement; and never marry
even for the sake of a cause which
you think you may advance by that
marriage. My wife was Pole; she had
the interests of her countrymen at
heart; and she thought that could help
them in many ways which seemed to
me impracticable. She loved her
country better than she loved her
husband-that u.s. I think, the best ex-
PLANTATION of the matter"
But surely after so many years you
might come to some better understand
ing. All the gossip would die away if
you brought her back to Aldersleigh."
'She would not come"
perhaps you have not asked her
perhaps she does not know the harm
that she is doing you
Col. Vanbrugh smiled bitterly. Il
think she would be pleased to know
that she is harming me. You do not
understand her nature, Frances. She
hates me now. I have sent friend of
mine from time to time to her with
a view of soothing matters, but there
is nothing to be done.
Did you send the Count de Marsac?
Was he a friend of yours?"
yes"
and you trust him."
''I did. | do not trust him so much
now"
He did not look to me like a man
to be trusted. Oh won't you go your
self some day and see whether any
thing can be done?'
Col Vanbrugh turned to her and
studied her face attentively.
Child" he said, why are you SO
reconciled to my wife? Is it for Lance
! lots sake?"
mo-" said Frances, firmly, cit is for
your own"
Tor mine? Why for my sake?"
Il think you are a good man, she
said, raising her troubled but steadfast
| eyes to his face "and I hate to hear
PEOPLE say that you are cruel, and I'M
true. That is what they say, you
! know, and | have to hear it in silence,
! because my mother will not let me de-
| fend you, although she believes that
you are good, but she says I must keep
silence And | cannot bear it-because
it is uniust-because [ believe in you"
Roger Vanbrugh sat silent and rigid
as stone. At last wave of emotion
passed a,ross his face and he spoke in
low, moved tone:
Frances Alymer," he said, 81 think
that in all my life no one has ever
trusted me like YOU
1T has been their fault, then. You
deserve trust"
you think so" he said almost visit
! fully. II have often been hard and
/ severe-or I have seemed so; but [
should have been different if anybody
! had trusted me as you do. | will not
/ be unworthy of that trust. Frances.
For the sake of your courage and of
your faith in me, [ will do the best
! to end the differences between my wife
and myself. If I fail you at least will
not say that it has been my fault"
"No-no indeed"
whatever happens said Col. Van
brugh, with a strange, low smile. 81
shall always be able to count upon
your friendship, shall I not? If I am
out of England, I shall think of you
sometimes and say: My little friend,
Frances Alymer. believes in me at
/ least Shall I say that, Frances?"
"Oh, yes, yes. But you are not 60
! ing away?"
For your sake" said the colonel,
steadily, 81 will make one more effort
at reconciliation with my wife. will
try to persuade her to come back
with LanceIot-to Aldersleigh and if
! that fails, l think I shall go away. 1t
will be atter for me to go then"
/ 81 hope, l trust, you may succeed"
/ ct will be your doing if I succeed,
/ Frances. How little you know-you
women-of the forces that you can
sometimes put in motion. Perhaps you
would be less powerful, because more
cautious, if you knew But you do
not understand me, do you, Frances?"
mo. I do not understand" the girl
said, bravely, "but I hope have not
done wrong
You have die right; you have done
what a friend should always do. I
thought you a child, Frances, and L
find you a woman-brave and true as
q woman ought to be. I cannot thank
you as I ought-some day I may find
better words, but now"
Now" said Frances, with an instinct
Of flight, which took herself by surprise.
Nov I think I must CO. for mother
will be wondering what has become of
me. Will you take me back to dane
ing-rOOm?-or no, see Mr.. Austin and
l know that 1 promised him a dance
and he is looking for me, so 1 will wait
for him"
Col Vanbrugh held out his hand.
"Goodby then. I will let you know"
Il shall hear" said Lady Frances,
hurriedly. Il shall be sure to hear"
CHAPTER XVIII.