The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-07-07

without doubt that woman is to be
p1tied, said Sir Loghlen; "but the
blame rests not with her, nor with us,
that the fault which we all deplore has
been committed"
The true author of that crime has
yet to be known, and heaven, sooner
or later, will surely reveal him to us. :"
"There is no need to search further
than the unhappy man already con-
demned,' said the baronet sadly. 1.-The
madness of q moment may perhaps
excuse, but never can abSolVe him.
1T seems to me, uncle, that you are
very prejudiced against poor Sydney
Drummond, and have resolved to be-
lieye in nothing save that he is guilty"
Frances had said this reproachfully
and angrilly; and hardly had she ut
tered the words when she regretted
that she had spoken so disrespectfully
and unbecomingly to her uncle, and
with dOWncast head was awaiting his
rebuke for her inconsiderate impetu-
oSity.
But Sir Loghlen, without replying,
had walked to the window, at which
he stood for several minutes, his back
toward his niece, that she might not
perceive the emotion her words had
caused.
The baronet was thinking of the
agony he had felt when, in that house
to which he had so joyfully proceeded,
he had seen in the son his heart had
been so yearlling to embrace, the guilty
and degraded bankers clerk.
And in that unexpected apparition,
in the torture he had endured, he had
beheld, as he believed, a certain sign
that heaven would pardon him his past
iniquity. He had, he told himself, re-
ceived blow it was impossible he
could long survive.
When his features had, as he knew,
resumed their usual placidity, Sir
Loghlen again approached his niece,
and taking her hand, said sadly to her,
81 am greatly uneasy concerning your
future; | must, Frances, before | die,
see you in the arms of a protector-of
a husband"
"a husbandp' exclaimed Frances,
with terrified looks, and shrinking
away from the baronet. 1T is, then,
but too true! You would make of me
Stanley Claremont's wifev
'What can there appear to you that
is strange in such a proposal?'' de-
manded the baronet. STANLEY, be-
sides being your cousin, and a most
disinterested relative, is also a worthy
gentleman"
Frances O'Meara's fea lures We're
overspread with an expression of the
most profound loathing and contempt.
Sir Loghlen had not observed that
look, and continued.
ut is not permitted me to doubt it
that mission whose issue has caused
me so much grief and torture; that
mission which James Frampton, so
shockingly dying, left incompleted, my
nephew undertook to fulfill"
A light broke in upon Frances
O'Meara's mind, and, speaking hur-
riedly, ''It was, then, Stanley, who con-
Quoted you to the door Of that house,
said to you"
ENTER, uncle, and you will find there
him whom you are seeking said the
baronet, interrupting and answering
his niece before she had completed her
question.
Frances now saw plainly the motive
which had urged her cousin SO to act,
although Sir Loghlen did not.
"Could Stanley suspect" cried the
baronet, ''that he was about to con-
front me with Sydney Drummond?"
Perhaps" replied Frances, and very
pointedly.
''For shame Francesw angrily and
Indignantly exclaimed the young girls
uncle, turning from her and once more
proceeding toward the window.
While Frances, glancing round, saw
Stanley Claremont just entering the
room, she could not for the time pro-
ceed with her uncle as she had in
tended.
SO, turning from her hateful cousin,
she threw herself into a chair at the
very farthest extremity of the apart
ment.
And Stanley Claremont, observing
the constrained manner of uncle and Of
niece, felt perfectly certain that he had
been the subject of their recent CONVEX
Sation.
Gliding to Sir Loghlen,s side, he said
smoothly, "What has happened, uncle?
You appear much agitated."
And the baronet, glancing angrily to-
ward his niece, muttered that her in
Justice was revolving to him.
II am to understand, then that the
question between you was of that
union to which my happiness is at
tached"
Frances rose from her chair, and,
walking toward her cousin, her lip
curling scornfully, looked him full and
steadily in the face, but did not speak.
And she had no occasion, for Stan
ley rightly understood the look she
fixed upon him, and replied to it.
Eyes, 1 repeat, my happiness, al
though you may not be able to be-
lieve it, but your felicity is the dear
est of my wishes; and it is from time
from yourself, Frances, that would
obtain a consent which the Impotence
ee o,nr ,anclo would nnrhanS Cause him