Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-03-10
THELMA
(Continued.)

tbs they shook hands again heartily,
and parted. Lord Winsleigh saw his
visitor to the door-and then at once
returned to his wifes apartments.
She was still absent from the boudoir
he therefore entered her dressing
room without ceremony.
There he found her alone,-kneel-
ing on the floor her head buried in an
arm chair,-and her whole frame
shaken with convulsive sobs He
looked down upon her with strange
wistful pain in his eyes, pain
mingled with compassion.
"Clara!" he said gently. She started
and sprang up-conGronting him with
flushed cheeks and wet eyes.
you here?" she exclaimed angrily.
Il wonder you dare To-" she broke
. OF, confused by his keen, direct glance.
1T is matter for WONDER" he said
quietly. Its the strangest thing in
the world that Your husband
should venture to intrude myself into
your presence! Nothing could be
more out of the common. But | have
something to say to you-somethinG
which must be said sooner or later
ard may as we'll speak now"
He paused,-she was silent, looking
az him in sort of sudden fear
"Slt down. he continued in the
SEINE even tones. "You must have a
little patience with me-l'n endeavor
to be as brief as possible
Mechanically she obeyed him and
sank into a low fauteuil. She began
playing with the trinkets on her sill
yer chatelaiae, and endeavored to
feign the most absolute unconcern,
but her heart beat quickly-she could
not imagine what was coming next
her husbands manner and tone were
quite new to her.
you accused me just now he
went on, "of being spy. | have
never condescended to act such part
towards you, Clara. When | first
married you l trusted you with my
life, my honor, and my name, and
though you have betrayed all three
l have deliberately shut my eyes to
the ruin of my hopes, in loyal en-
deavor to shield you from the world 5
calumny. Regarding the unhappiness
you have caused the Erringtons,-y
own maid Louise Renaud (who has
given you notice of her intention to
leave you) told me all she knew OF
your share in what l call positive
cruelty, towards happy and innocent
woman who has never injured you,
and whose friend you declared your
self to be-
You believe the lies of a servant
suddenly cried Lady Winsleigh wrath
fully.
Have not you believed the lies Of
Sir Francis LennoX, who is less honest
than servant?" asked her husband
his grave voice deepening with thrill
of passion. And haven't you reported
them everywhere as truths? But as
regards your maid-l doubted her
story altogether. She assured me she
knew what money you took out with
you yesterday, and what you returned
with-and as the only place you visited
in the morning was the Brilliant The
atre.-after having received telegram
from LennoX, which she saw,-it was
easy for her to put two and two to-
gether, especially as she noticed you
reading the letter you had purchased
nloreover"-he paused-"she has heard
certain conversations between you and
Sir Francis, notably one that took
place at the garden party in summer
a. Errington Manor. Spy? you say?
your detective has been paid by you,-
fed and kept about your own person.
to minister to your vanity and to fiat
ter your pride-that she has turned In
former against you is lot surprising
Be thankful that her information has
fallen into NO Toce malignant hands
than mine!"
Again he paused-she was still silent
but her lips tIembled neryously.
And yet l was 10Th TO believe
eyerything''-he resumed half sadly
eth Errington came and showed me
that letter and told me the whole story
OF his misery. Even then | thought
l would give you one more chance
that's why | brought him to you and
asked you the question before him
One look at your face told me you
we're guilty, though you denied it.
should have been better pleased had
you confessed it! But why talk about
1t any longer?-the mischief is done
/ trust that it is not irreparable.
certainly consider that before troubling
that poor girls happiness you should
have taken the precaution to inquire a
little further into the truth of the re-
ports you heard from Sir Francis Len
nox, he is not reliable authority on
any question whatever You may have
thought him So" he stopped short
and regarded her with sorrowful stern
ness-"I say, Clara, you may have
thought him so, once-but now? Are
you proud to have shared his affections
with $50 N
She uttered rh2rn cry and covered
her face with her hands,-an action
which appeared to smite her husband