Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-02
CHAPTER XX-Contfnued.
Husband and Wife.

The plaln words produceQ curious
effect upon Nine Zavertal. She turned
white to the lips, shuddered and
seemed to wither before her husbands
eyes But she attempted no contradic-
ton, no excuse of the crime with which
he charged her. She sat silent for sew
eral minutes, with her head turned
away until he spoke again.
Il am willing TO believe" he said,
calmly, that that period of hate and
anger has passed by l am not at all
afraid that you will try again to at
tempt my life You are a clever
woman and you know that it would be
foolish to try such a thing a second
time. | am not afraid of you. And |
have come here on purpose to ask you
TO share my house with me once more >
She turned her still CHASTITY face
upon him.
Il cannot think" she said, "why, after
all that, you should want me back"
you are still my wife" he said
Something in the words seemed 10
soften her. Her eyes filled with tears
You said deliberate treachery just
now" she murmured. 'At least it was
not altogether that 1t was moment
of wild, unbridled passion when | Of
fered you that deadly drink-and |
was heartily glad that you recovered
from its effects"
"As | have said, | am quite willing
to believe it. And perhaps" with an
odd smile-"the world would say that
we were quits, for had wounded you
before accidentally"
you have been generally credited
with wounding me purposely," said
Venetia
Eyes, a word from you would have
cleared my character on that sore, but
you never spoke that word"
1T was the only way I had of pun
ishing you for your enmity to my peo-
pie"
Had you not punished me enough?'
said Roger, bitterly. "I should say
that you have done your best to make
life a hell for me ever since. To es-
cape from gossip and idle curiosity
went abroad | have had no home, no
pleasant domestic life for the last
twelve years. | was separated from
my boy and when | return and try to
make friends with him you ALLEVIATE
his affections frcm me, poison his
mind, do your best to ruin my reputa-
ton in the eyes Of the World?"
you want people to know that we
lou want Lance back. Does it strike
YOU that you have not said that you
want me?"
= have said | wanted my wife"
Yes, but not because you care for
her. OF course under the circum-
stances, that would be impossible.
Only because her absence damages
your position Some woman has been
talking to you about it; who is she?'
The question came with the rapidity
Of a hehtning fash. Col Vanbrugh
drew up his hean stiffly.
THAT is folly, Nenetia."
oh, no, it is not Some woman has
been advising you. telling you that you
ought to live with your wife and SO on.
I understand. Is she pretty? | see
you won't answer, so I won't trouble
you with questions, but l shall find out
one of these days No Roger, I will
not come back to live with you. | will
not let Lancelot go back either |
have not forgiven you and | do NOT
mean to forgive. I loved my brother
Leon and my countrymen more dearly
than ever | loved you"
THAT also | have known" said Col
yanbrugh.
L may forgive You when I am dy-
ing. | may even ask you to forgive me
= cannot tell. The priests say that
we must forgive upon our deathbeds
or We cannot hope to be forgiven. Let
us wait till then. It may not be very
far away"
"Venetfa,' said her husband, in plain
words what have you to forgive? It
seems to me that I have far more to
pardon than yourself"
you hated my people" she an
swered "You would not let me help
them You suspected them and me of
wrong-doing. You spied upon me; you
brought the police upon my brothers
track-indirectly if not directly, you
caused his death. Have I not enough
to forgiven"
strange. wild light glittered in her
blue green eyes. For the first time
Roger Vanbrugh wondered to himself
whether or no his wife was absolutely
sane. But there remained nothing
more to be said, and he rose from his
chair
Il have"
4 had hoped that we should have
found a better way of arranging mat
ters"
"Then you were foolish" she an
swered, coldly ''for we could never
live together in peace. Our DISPOSE
lions are absolutely incompatible"
80 it seems said Roger, with a
sigh. We'll, I shall go abroad again
My attempt 20 make a home for myself
and my son has failed. If ever you
Wish to see me you will have to send
for me- I will keep you informed from
time to time of places where I may be
found"
And he went away with even g
heavier heart than that which he haG
brought with him. But Venetia threw
back her head and laughed aloud. IT
the poison had been within my reach
tbiply chou1d have offered II RI hirr