Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-02

He was coming back to me-" said
Anne, helplessly
L don't understand; perhaps | am
| dense. You mean to say you only
| married me, believing Mr. Dacre to be
| false?' began the elder man, confused
ly. The aoor swung again, busy
| commercial traveller hustled in, bag in
| hand, drew a chair noisily up to a
| table, and began to write
Mr.. Thompson beckoned imperative
~ to Anne. Come, I must speak to
you he said sharply. He held the
| door open for her, ana she cbeyed him
mechanically, leaving her lover stand
ing by the mantelpiece, powerless to
| stop her.
Mr.. Thompson led the way up the
| first flight of stairs, a waiter threw
| open door, and Anne found herself
alone with her husband
Now, perhaps you will explain. This
man, what is he ooing here? By what
| right does he address you?' he said
There was a note of sharpness in his
dice.
He did not know l should be here.
He was coming home from India to
stop my marrying you. He thought
he would be in time said Anne almost
| in the voice of chidden child
But he is too late! You are nv
| wife now. No one can take you from
me-" The remembrance of the hand
some face below moved him to a touch
of brutality.
But can't live with you now. Don't
you see? l can't, o! I can't" cried
Anne.
You are my wife You are bound
to live with me. You thought it pos
sible half an hour ago. Nothing has
changed SINCE
But dian't know then, | thought
he had left off caring for me. My
mother knew. 1t was she who made
me marry you,' painted She All her
delicate color had faded, even her lips
were white, her eyes were full of
terror.
20! won't you be kind to me and
let nue. go?''
ITO your lover?"
No, no! | will never see him again
if you will let me go!'
But don't you know I love you?
Yes, as dearly as you love that man
downstairs. Haven't you a little pity
for me?"
Anne looked at him DULY. His
round, tiorid face had not paled; he
her? Love was young, and strong,
and comely, with ardent looks and
melting tones. Her heart could not
recognize him under this guise
Il am sorry. 1t is not my fault We
have loved each other so long. O! if
you will only be kind and let me go!"
She came up close to him in her
earnestness. Her hat had fallen off,
he coul0 see the little tendrils of hair
curling round her tiny elrs, the depth
of her eyes darkened by coming tears.
You ask too much" he said with
sudden anger; Il love you, you are my
wife, and very beautiful
He had both her hands in his now.
and was drawing her nearer. Anne
cid not speak, only looked at him with
a white face and terrified repulsion.
He coukQ see the pulse in her throat
beating furiously
You would not be the first wife who
mas lived down fancy for another
man, and has been happy with her
husband" he said, slowly; and then
the girl broke down into a storm of
Wild, hystericaI weeping, covering
away from him with bent head.
My poor child! my dear little girl!
you are quite overdone,'' she heard his
voice saying in quite changed tone.
Come ana sit down, and let us think
what is for the best"
She suffered him to lead her to a
couch, and sat down, burying her head
in the pillows.
Mr.. Thompson was not accustomed
to women, and her long drawn sobs
ana the piteous heaves of her Shout
ders went to his very heart
You ask me to let you go, Anne:
put What would you do then? Would
you go to your mother?''
20! no, MOI"
Il thought not. And as you bear my
name, in common fairness to myself,
L could not let you go alone in the
world
She said something incoherent be-
tween her sobs of wishing she wers
dead.
For Gods sake, child, do not treat
me as an enemy!" he said bitterly.
Listen! You must share my home
there is no help for that; but in all
other respects l will leave you utterly
Tree; only | ask you, for your own
sake, not to see that man again.
Through her distress the sense of
his generosity reached Anne's soul.
You are very kind to me- she said.
family
Il will think it out. 1 will see
whether l can think of anything bet
ter; but you must give me time" he
said. Il will let you know tomorrow.
Perhaps you would like to go to your
room now; the waiter might be coming
up with the dinner"
Anne complied, thankful to be alone.
and sent word by the maid that she did
not want any dinner, so the bride
groom dined alone under the watchfuI
eye Of the waiter, who formed his own
conclusions on the situation
Anne was lying on her bed, worn out
with the emotions of the day, when.
about o'clock, she heard rap at the
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