Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-09-22

his wife now but through the shame
OF divorce or death.
On the third day Roy left his
room and went down to the IL
brary. He had resolved to 60 abroad
for time, and also to persuade his
mother to leave the castle and seek
mental change after all the trouble
she had endured.
VALERIE heard him leave his room,
and trod softly after him.
"R y" she said as he was about
10 enter the library.
He turned.
Valerie" he said quietly. forgive
| me. l did not hear you coming"
She gazed at his haggard face with
heart that burned from its
jealousy.
She had not thought Alices flight
would have tried him so terribly.
How i'll you look!'' she exclaimed.
Il feel tired-sick to DEATH" the
earl answered, passing his hand over
his eyes.
What are you going to do?" she
asked hurriedly.
Il am making arrangements to
| leave her and go away"
| DO you intend to follow them?"
The question was asked invoiln-
tarily.
Roy's face darkened.
Il shall seek him, If l go to the
end of the world" he said quietly.
, "a 6rcf voIo
questioned him hurriedly.
Roy shook his head
Il don't know-to Italy, perhaps,
where | met him. l believe he has
castle or an estate there. He may
have-they may have gone to It,"
Roy, you will do nothing rash?
mise me. for your mothers sake
Remember. she has only you"
Il shall ayenge my honor" the
earl answered quietly. But you,
Valerie" he went on gently. you
will not leave my mother She
loves you. 1t is much to ask of you
to give up your life, your pleasures
to be with her-but l beg it as
favor"
Valerie felt her throat choke.
There is no hardship l would MT
submit to for yodr mothers sake"
she replied.
The earl raised her hand to his
lips.
THANK you, Valerie he said
simply. Tell my mother am COM
ing to speak to her soon. l want her
to go to her favorite house in Scot
land for a little time, or anywhere.
She must leave here
Valerie smiled family, and turned
away as he entered the library.
"All goes we'll" she murmured to
herself. "He prays me to remain-he
will find soon he cannot do without
M, and Lady Alice will be f1rgot-
ten. Does he love hers he suf-
fering from his heart or his pr de at
her flight? Pride, am certain. He
is Darrell, and therefore dishonor
is to him the greatest of all evils
Now, it only needs Jura to send the
report of her death, and the game is
mine. l feel free, light as air, after
a Ing, wretched, dark imprison-
ment. Paul gone from my path-hap-
piness before mel"
The earl shut the door of the
library, and, drawing a chair to the
table, buried his face in his folded
arms.
He was simply summed by the news
Of Alice's faithlessness and SIN. The
vision CT her sweet beauty haunted
him. and even when proofs were
strongest against her the thought
of her innate purity and goodness
would come like a flash Ct light
He remembered her as he held her
for that brief, few seconds in his
arms that night in the conservatory
It was the face of an angel in It's
fair loveliness.
Such woman could not SIN!
Yet how could he explain the cir
cumstances?' Look which way he
might he saw nothing but the most
damning and conclusive evidence of
her guilt.
A KIN ok at the door reused him,
and Mason entered.
There's a gentleman wants to
see you, my lord"
Il can see no one" the earl re-
piled hastily
''He told me to give you this card,
and beg you t. see him for a few
minutes, my lord"
The earl took the card.
Frank notwithstanding with
Almstead at the Grange Well let
him come in Mason"
Mason bowed, and in few seconds
returned, ushering in Meredith.
Il must apologize for intruding,
Lord Darrell" Frank began courte-
cusly; but l wish to speak with you
most particularly"
The earl bowed; he seemed to
know his guests face.
"Ycu are looking at me, see"
Frank went on. I'VE have met be-
tore. Do you remember, few days
ago, you had a riding-party to the
old abbey ruins?"