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

pray speak quite plainly! Lduy
Winsleigh Is TO blame? ] am not al
all surprised"
Errington gave him rapid glance
Of wonder. He had always fancied
Wlnsleigh to be studlous, rather
dull sort OF man. absorbed in books
and the education OF his soma man
more than half blind to everything
that went on around hlm-and more
over, one who deliberately shut his
eyes to the frivolous coquetry OF his
wife,-and though he liked him
! fairly WE'LL there had been a sort OF
vague contempt mingled with his lik-
irg. Now new light was suddenly
thrown on his character-there was
something In his look, his manner,
his very tone Of voice,-which proved
to Errington that there was deep
and forcible side to his nature Of
which his closest friends had never
dreamed he was somewhat taken
ahack by the discovery. Seeing that
he still hestated, Winsleigh laid a
hand encouragingly on his shoulder
and said
81 repeat-I'm not at all surprised!
Nothing that Lady Winsleigh might
! do would cause me the slightest as
constituent. She has long ceased to
be my wife, except In name,-that she
still bears that name and holds the
position she has in the world Is sim
ply--for my sons sake! do not
wish, - his voice quivered slightly
Il do not wish the boy to despise his
mother. It's always bad beginning
for a young mans life | want to
avoid 1t for Ernest, IL posslble,--re-
CARELESS OF any personal sacrifice.
He paused a moment-then resumed
Now, speak out, Errington, and plain
ly.--for II mischief has been done and
| can repair 1t In any way, you may
DO sure | will" Thus persuaded Sir
Philip briefly related the whole story
of the misunderstanding that had
arisen concerning Nevllle's wife, VIC
let Vere.-and concluded by saying
1t Is, OF course, only through Britta
that I've just heard about Lady Wins
leigh's having anything to do with It,
Her information may not be correct
hope 1t isn't, but
Lord Winsleigh interrupted him.
Come with me-" he said compos-
edly. We'll resolve this difficulty at
once"
He led the way out of the library
across the hall. Errington followed
him In silence. He knocked at the
door of his wife's room,--in response
to her Come I'M" they both entered.
She was alone, reclining on u sofa
reading,-she started up with pet
fish exclamation at sight of her hus-
band, but observing who 1t was that
came with him, she stood mute, the
color rushing to her cheeks with sur
prise and something of fear. Yet she
endeavored to smile, and returned
with her usual grace their somewhat
formal salutatlons,
Clara" then said Lord Winsleigh
gravely, 81 have to ask you a question
ON behalf of Sir Philip Burlington here
a question to which 1t Is necessary
that you give tho plain answer Did
you or did you not procure this letter
from Violet We're, Of the Brilliant
Theatre-and did you, or did you not,
give 1t yourself yesterday into the
hands of Lady Bruce Errington?"
And he laid the letter In question,
which Philip had handed to him, down
upon the table before her
She looked at it--then at him
then from him to Sir Philip. who ut
tered no woodland slightly shrugged
her shoulders.
81 don't know what you are talking
about" she said carelessly.
Sir Philip turned upon her indig-
nantly.
Lady Wnsleigh, you do know"
She interrupted him with n stately
gesture.
Excuse mo. Sir Philip! | am not
accustomed to be spoken to In this ex-
traordinary manner. You forget your
self--my husband, think, also for
gets himself! know nothing what
ever about Violet Vere--l am not fond
Of the society OF actresses. or course
we heard about your admiration for
.ser-that Is common town talk
though my informant on this point
vas Sir Francis Lennox."
Sir Francis Lennox!" cried Philip
furtously, THANK God! there's
man to deal with! by Heaven, III
choke him with his own lie,"
Lady Winsleigh raised her eyebrows
In well-hred surprise
Dear me! 1t is a lie then? Now,
! should have thought from all ac-
counts that 1t was so very likely to
be true!"
Philip turned white with passion
Her sarcastic smile, her hooking
glance. ~irritated him almost beyond
endurance.
Permit me to ask you, Clara" con-
tinued Lord Winsleigh calmly, "if you
as you say. know nothing about Violet
We're, why did you 80 TO the Brilliant
Theatre yesterday morning.
4, A. 49,. 4.