River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-05-21


1t was his hand that opened 10 me a 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 its low, sad
key, and she went on brightly, each
word ringing gayer through the warm.
violet-scented atmosphere.
Then one day, Sir Geoffrey 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
lis sin. Do you know, Dick, that shame
full wrong which is the death knell to
the love and happiness of most wo zen.
was a veritable joy bell to me. Oh!
dearest, l hope am not very bal so TO
rejoice in another's sin, but il 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. / wonder why Sir
Godfrey always mistrusted that lack
OF defense"
But was not ycur-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
ia 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 mis- feet. She
looked up at the clock.
"How late it isl / wonder what is
keeping Sir Godfrey. lie said he would
come here the minute the decree abso-
Lutte was pronOunced-that II was only
a matter of n moment ~ 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 a man
such as Vernon in your presence; but
have you ever spoken with him since
the chse?"
''OhI yes" said Lydia, frankly. and
rising to her feet as she spoke.
you've seen hiIn-alone ?" cried Mey-
neil. his voice strained and harsh with
an anxiety he sirove to hide.
Lydia wrinkled her delicate brows in
an effort of memory.
Yes-dear-tWice. Our talk was abb
solutely on business matters, and we
were naturally alone. Dick-why Dick,
what is the matter? What have |
done2"
Her face blanched as white as the
soft fur about her throat. and her voice
rang out with piteobs fear, as with a
great groan Dick Meynell rose from his
chair and caught her in his arms.
my sweetheart, my poor wronged
love-I fear that you have ruined both
our lives"
Even as he spoke the door shut sharp
ly to behind them. and a heavy. slow
tread advanced into the room.
VERY pretty, upon my word-a sweet
picture, indeed" rasped a vcice from
the other side of the table.
With a cry Lydia Vernon. still in the
arms of the man she loved. turned to
find her husband smiling at her.
He was small man, neatly groo med.
well dressed and not ill-looking the
first glance. but a whole world of malice
CLEANED in his close-set eyes % he
stared at the pair before him.
"Umph!" and he shrugged his shout
ders and grinned a little wider. you
are nice woman to set up as an in
iured wife, aren't you? Such pretty
tale as you told all the world about
me. Heavens, you painted me as black
as the incarnate, and all the while you'd
a lover dangling at your skirts
The red blood flashed across Lydia's
white face and protest leaped to her
innocent lips. Bot her husband waved
his hand at her and laughed a little
raore thar ever
'Oh. YOU needn't be afraid, my deari
I'm going to set you an example of
magnanimity. I'm not going to drag
your precious name through the d.
vo-ce court. No such luck for you
my dear. d'you hear?"
rs his laugh ended in the well-re-
membered snarl. Lydia sprang forward,
leaving Meynell, dumb and sick with
the foreboding of the real truth, be-
hind her.
what 10 you mean by talking to me
of the divorce court?" she cried. ''You
are not my husband. You have no fur
Their right over me or my actions. OBJ
tanned decree nisi against you six
months ago"
(Which was not made absolute ~
day." retorted Vernon. Those two pri-
vafe interviews on business upset your
little arrangements, my dear"
"Then am still" she gasped.
MY wife? Why, certainly-and. by
heavens, you shall remain so as long as
both of US are above ground" cried
Mr.. Vernon. triumphantly.
ihen ne turned on 4Ieyneii, whose
wide eyes could see nothing but the
wreck of his shattered dreams.
"And now. Mr.. Lover, I'll thank you
TO leave my wife's apartment az once
and not show yourself here again. And
perhaps, as you go, you'd better thank
your stars that I've let you off without
horsewhipping."
For a moment Meynell only saw red,
and the cry: Kill him. Kill him"
Numbered in his ears. But a light
touch, a low voice OVERRIDE the storm
of passion.
go. my love; farewell forever. /
shall not be with him icr long"
He turned as he reached the door and
took one last look at her. There were
no tears in her eyes or convulsion IF
grief upon her face. only she was gray
with tie grayness Of approaching