The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-10-22


4 groan escaped Laura Dormer as
she hid her face deeper in the cush
ions of the sofa.
a surprised and indignant expires
sion was in my aunt's face, as she
looked at the accusing woman, and
replied:
lis false! You his wife, And
turning again to the handsome, pic
tnred face, she added:
i might possibly believe you his
mot ler.'
"A wicked, triumphant look was on
the woman's face, as she said.
The coming ten years may make
as great changes in your fair race as
the past ten have in mine
"Th9n, unclasping her pocket book,
she drew forth two papers, opened
and handed them to my aunt, saying:
Here are the proofs of what [
saw
Never shall | forget the blanched
and horror stricken face that turned
from the papers. and with a cry Of
anguish, my aunt fell fainting on the
sofa beside me-
1T is needless for me to tell You
the dreadful scene that followed
That afternoon my aunt leTt his
house for ever. She had read the
proofs the marriage license and the
clergyman's certificate.
Henry Read did not attempt to
deny his marriage, but only produced
bill Of divorce which he had secured
eight years before. You know Laura.
our church does noi permit or ack-
nowledge divorces only tho death
of one allows the second marriage Of
the other.
a severe illness followed the terri
blc shock. After recovering, or rath
er convaIescing, from which, amt
entered the Order of the Sisters Of
Mercy"
AID what of him. What was
his defence oh. | know hc is not
what you believe him. lie IS not so
wicked" Laura said, raising her face,
so pale and tear stained, to Lottie's
"Oh. of course, he told the best
story he could make up. And sic
ceeded i'll making aunt believe him
unfortunate, not wicked"
His defence tell me it." Laura
cried.
He said, when scarce twenty, he
was fascinated ensnared, i suppose
by woman much older than himself
He married her when still in college,
and learned soon after that she cared
only for his money. Having secured
ali she could of value, she eloped with
a circus rider, much to the satisfaction
and relief of Reads family and friends,
who soon after assisted him in pro
curing a divorce / have never seen
or heard of him since he left our vii
lage, over ten years ago. Now, Laura,
you see, you must give him up. Bear
up, darling He is not worthy of
YOU"
Il will not condemn him, until from
his own lips | hear it. said Laura,
And even then | Will never believe
him wicked; only unfortunate, and
the victim Of cruel circumstances
They were interrupted by knock
at the door, and a servant entering.
announced Mr.. Read waiting in the
parlor.
You must come now, Lottie;I can
not see him alone" said Laura, in a
choking voice.
And hastily bathing her face, she
smoothed back the clustering ringlats,
AMI turned to leave the room. beckon-
ing Lottie to follow her.
Light and almost nOiseless as were
her steps, the ear Of love caugnt the
sound of her coming. Opening the
door, he stood with open arms to vel
come her
My own darling -"
He stopped suddenly, as she step
ped back, putting forward her hands,
aGd waving him of.
What Is it. love-" be asked,
anxiously. Are you liz" Il look OF
alarm IN his eyes, as they rested on
her pale and suffering face.
Trembling, she stood ciasping the
back of chair for support, and try
ing to conquer the emotion which
chokcd back the words she wanted to
speak.
"Oh, MY darling, why do [ find you
thus?" he asked, unmindful Of a
Strangers presence, and stepping for
ward again. with extended arms.
Shrinking further from him, and
turning to Lottic, she asked, in a low,
hoarse voice:
DO you know that young lady"
Indeed 1 have not that pleasure"
answered Mr. Read, after looking
earnestly at Lottie, who stood with
ind. gnant and flashing eyes regarding
him.
Before Laura could command sufli
cient calmness to speak again, Lottie
asked:
Did YOU ever have the pleasure Of
knowing one who bore the name of
Charlotte Austin2"
\ half suppressed exclamation of
pain escaped Henry Reads lips, as
the hot blood quickly mounted to his
brow, and an instant after he grew
even as pale as Laura, when. in low,
constrained voice. he answered:
That was but brief pleasure, re-
sultlng in great sorrow.
Turning again to Laura, he said, in
tone of great sadness:
Il know now why | fiud you thus"
is it true? Oh, say it is not, Tell
me Lotte wrongs you," cried Laura,
raising her agonized face to his, and
continuing: She says | must give
you up-that that r"
The poor girls voice faltered and
broke completely. She could not ut
ter the dreadful words.
i say that twice you have married,
and both women are now living, my
aunt being one of them" said Lottie,
flashing an angry glance upon him.
You have heard your friends story,
Laura, and | have no doubt she has
told you truly. When | wooed Miss
I r i