Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-30

pIedSeu.
Rene, do you want to break my
heart?"
Hearts like yours, my dear, are too
tough to break easily. You would ger
ever it."
L should die-I should die. Oh
Rene, say that you did not mean it,
Well" he said, with a touch of com
junction, Il only mean that don't SEE
how I am to get out of the mess l an
in unless l have the money"
1T would make things no better to
abandon me-" said Constance. There
is my money as soon as we choose tC
acknowledge the marriage. Why dc
you not let me tell my relations thai
you are my husband? Then we should
have something to depend on. Ny f10,
OOO-"
He laughed disagreeably. You think
q great deal of your 100000" he said
You seem to think it will last for
ever. Do you remember giving me
your signature to paper as soon as
you were of age last year? That sig,
nature enabled me to get an advance
on your prospects, my dear; the Jews
knew it to be good security. I don't
think you will find much Of your ft0,-
600 left when you come TO inquire"
Then you nave robbed me?'
ut is not robbery to use my Wife's
money when she has given me per
mission to do so. Have you not often
said that all you possessed was mine?''
yes, yes; and so it is-but Rene, if
you had told me-
She stopped, her voice was choked
with tears. Hitherto she had looked
forward to, the time when her little
fortune would afford them the means of
subsistence; she had gloried in the
thought that she would be able to give
h m the ease and comfort that he de
sired. The knowledge that he had
with bitter pain.
Il took you at your word, that was
all" he said, coldly. Now the point
is this-I want 5000 and l have not got
it Can you get it for me?"
She stilled her sobs and managed to
reply with tolerable clearness: 81 can
rot"
Then | must leave England-and-
disappear
She was silent for a minute or two.
Have you no suggestion to make?" she
asked at length, almost, as it seemed,
reluctantly.
He laughed and patted her arms.
Good little woman. That is the righU
question to ask. OF course I have a
suggestion. You need not cry, Con
stance, hate a crying woman. never
thought, when I married you, that you
had such infinite capacity of tears"
ut was you who taught me to cry"
said Constance, with melancholy sig
nificance.
Il shall have to teach you to laugh
then, to laugh at danger at all events.
Come sit down by me and be happy.
We will contrive some way out of the
NESS
Rene, you will not leave me? You
do love me still?"
"Of course I do But she felt that
his tone was perfunctory in the ex-
IRENE. Now listen to me. I have a
plan in my head. What jewels have
you?"
''None of any value. You have had
them ALL
"Pestei But your aunt"
Il can only take small things of
hers; anything else would be missed. -
Let it be missed. Constance, you
don't know how to make use of your
opportunities. If-mind l only say if
if there were burglary at Hurst
and Lady Esler's celebrated rubies were
carried off, whom would Lady Esler
suspect"
THE servants, I suppose"
Exactly. But not her niece?"
Rene, you were not thinking"
"In due time" said De Marsac, cody
Il suppose that all her jewels will de-
scend to your
Yes, ALL" Constance answered, in a
low, dull tone; unless she leaves some
of them to Madeline Despard."
''Ah, bah! Madeline Despard! She
is staying here, is she not? Why did
you allow her to Gomez
81 could not help it; Lancelot took
the matter up in his ridiculous way
and left us no choice. The best plan
was to yield and pretend that one was
pleased"
How does she get on with your
aUnt?"
'Excellently. She does not think so,
said Constance, with a smile, because
she does not understand Lady Eslers
way, but I, who know my aunt, can see
that the girl is in high favor"
Then she must be got out of it,
L am willing. I detest Madeline
Despard. But I don't see how to get
her into trouble"
Then. my dear. you are positively
dense. Don't you see that the materi-
ais lie close TO your hand?'
What do you mean. Renee"
There was a moments pause, low
wild wind went sobbing through the
branches of the trees and the rustline
leaves of the underground responded
to the sound. Constance shivered and
drew nearer to her husband.
Il thought l heard a step she said
Speak low, Rene, we must not be over.
heard
1T was nothing, only the wind. You
are nervous, my dear. Would it not
be very easy, if the rubies We're miss