Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-02
CHAPTER XXXEIII.
with All Nv Heart "

WIN All MY heart.
Col Vanbrugh was back again;
bronzed and soldierly looking still, but
wits an indefinable air of having aged
in some way that did not show itself
in grayness and wrinkles. Still there
was a change and nobody was more
struck by it than his friends, the Ste
venages, who were at home for the
shooting season. Septembe had begun
and their house was full Of guests, but
they were always glad to welcome Ro-
ger Vanbrugh, whom they looked on as
a dear and valued friend.
I have been four years away: sup
pose you have nearly forgotten me. -
he said to Lady Frances. whom he
found one morning in the garden.
gathering autumnal flowers for her
mothers sitting-room
She looked up with a grave smile.
Certainly not. I remember Won nar-
fectly. l was not a child when Won
went away"
Were you not?''
No doubt I seemed one to you"
said Frances, calmly, but l was old
enough to reflect and to remember"
1T is better to do 1either." he an
sWered her, with gloomy look.
She paused a little.
Only an unhappy person can say
that she remarked, presently.
Well am not a very happy man.
am u"
Perhaps not; but need you make
your own unhappiness measure of
other peoples lives? 1t NAV be good
for you to forget; it may be good for
others to remember"
well answered. You put me to
shame" he said, looking at her kindly,
Where did you get your wisdom?"
Frances colored quickly and holly.
1t seemed to her hat he was only
hooking her ignorance. She turned
aside and said nothing, and he. notice
ing that she was little hurt, contin-
ued in a bitter strain:
II am afraid it is wisdom that
should never learn. I have never vet
been able to put precept into practice.
My own experience has been hard
one and I wish with all my heart that
the waters of Lethe would cover it,
l should be content to forget the good
of life if could forget the evil"
THAT is hard saying"
"The evil has exceeded the good. Won
see. If, like yours, life were all sun
shine for me, 1 should probably be glad
enough to remember it."
II don't think life can be all sun
shine for any one" said Lady Frances,
a little sadly"
The light had gone out of her eye.
Roger Vanbrugh smiled mot even
for you? I should have thought any
thing else an impossibility."
She was not able to answer. for at
that moment servant was seen adj
Eancing toward them from the house
with an orange-c0lored envelope upon
a tray, which he offered solemnly to
Col. Vanbrugh.
will you excuse Ele?" said Roger,
pleasantly. Il am expecting d tele-
gram from my lawyers
He had got SO far in his little SEN
tentious apology Ind had torn open
the envelope, and unfolded the pink
paper, when his eye was caught by
word in the message, which seemed to
turn him to stone.
You have bad news?" said Frances.
breathlessly.
He looked up, tried to speak, then
put the paper into her hands and turned
away.
The message was from Lancelot.
Mime. Zavertal seriously i'll; please
come at once"
Frances knew enough of the Van
brughs' history to be aware that Nine
Zavertal was the colonel's wife. She
flushed hesitated and looked at Roger,
whose whole attitude struck her as
curiously unresponsive.
(To Be Continued)