Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18
CHAPTER. LVIII-

CHAPTER LV LII.
Even as she spoke the words Lady
LansWelPs heart sunk within her. No
softening came to the beautiful face,
no tenderness, no kindness; it seem
ed rather as though her last words had
turned Leone to stone. She grew pale
even to her lips, she folded her
hands with hard clasp, her be@Ati-
full figure grew more erect and dfgni-
fied-the words dropped slowly, each
one seeming to cut the air as it fell.
"You call me noble, Lady Lanswel1!
you, who did your best to sully my
best friend, when you flung me aside
from him as though I had been of no
more worth than the dust underneath
his feet!"
Lady Lanswell bent forward
will you not forget that?" she said.
Let the past die. I will own now that
was harsh, unjust, even cruel to
you; but I repent it have never
said as much before-I repent it, and |
apologize to you! Will you accept my
apology?"
The effort was so great for proud
woman to make, that the countess
seemed almost to struggle for breath
as she said the words. Leone looked
on in proud, angry scorn
"YOu apologize, Lady Lanswell! You
think that few words can wash away
the most cruel wrong one woman did
to another? Do you know what you
did?-you robbed me of my husband, of
a man I loved as I shall love no other.
You blighted my fair name What was
[ when that marriage was set aside?
You-you tortured me-you broke my
heart, you slew all that was best in
me-and now all these years
afterward you come to me, and
think to overwhelm me with faint,
feeble words of apology. Why, if you
gave me your hearts blood, your very
soul, even, it would not atone mel |
had but one life, and you have spoiled
it! I had but one love, you trampled on
it with wicked, relentless feet! All, why
do / speak? Words are but sound. No,
Lady Lanswell, refuse your apology
now or at any time! We are enemies,
and shall remain SO until we die!'
The countess shrunk from the pas
sion of her indignant words
"You are right in some measure, ;.
she said, sadly. 81 was very hard, but
it was for my sons sake! All, believe
me, all for him"
Your son." retorted Leone ''You
make your son the excuse for your own
vanity, pride, and ambition. What you
did, Lady LansWell, proved how lit
tie you loved your son. You parted us
knowing that he loved me, knowing
that his whole heart was bound up in
ne, knowing that he had but one wish
and it was to spend his whole life
with me. You parted us knowing that
he could never love another woman as
he loved me, knowing that you were
destroying his life, even as you have
destroyed mine. Did love for your
son actuate you then?"
What believe to be my love for my
son and care for his interests alone
guided me" said Lady Lanswell
Love your son!" laughed Leone
Have you ever read the story of the
mother of the Maccabees, who held
her twin sons to die rather than they
live to deny the Christian faith? Have
you read of the English mother who
when her fair-haired son grew pale at
the sound of the first cannon, cried, BE
brave, my son, death does not last one
minute-glOry is immortal call such
love as that the love of a mother for
her son-the love that teaches a man
to be true, if it cost his life; to be
brave, if courage brings him death; to
be loyal and noble. True motherly
love shows itself in that fashion, Lady
| Lanswell.'
The proud head of Lucia, Countess of
Lanswell, dropped before this girl as it
had never done before any power on
earth.
What has your love done for your
son, Lady Lanswe1l?" she asked.
Shall I tell you? You made him
traitor, coward, liar. Through your
intrigues, he perjured himself. You
made him disloyal and ignoble-you
made him false. And yet you call
that love! [ would rather have the love
of pagan mother than such as yours.
What have you done for him?' she
continued, the fire of her passion ris-
ing-"What have you done for him?
He is young and has long life before
him. Is he happy? Look at his face
look at his restless, weary eyes-listen
to the forced bitter Taught Is he happy,
after, after all your false love has
done for him? You have taken from
him the woman he loves, and you have
given him one for whom he cares so
little he would leave her tomorrow!
Have you done SO well, Lady Lanswell
for your SOM"
mo, indeed I have mott" came with
great sigh from Lady Lanswell's lips.
Perhaps, if it were to be-but no, I
will not say that. You have noble
thoughts and noble ideas-tell me,
Leone, will you help me?''
Help you in What?" she asked.