Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-06-19

LOT the continent.
He would have given the world to
be able to renounce the royal favor,
of which he had felt SO proud; but he
could not. To have done so would
have been to have deprived him not
only of all position, but to have in
curred disgrace. To have refused a
favor so royalty bestowed would have
been an act of ingratitude which would
have deprived him of court favor for
life
He must go; and when the first pain
was over, he said to himself it was,
perhaps, the best thing that could have
happened He could not have borne
to know that Leone was near him, yet
not see or speak to her.
1t was all for the best, painful as
it was. If for these long months they
must be parted, it was better for him
to be abroa0-he dare not nave trusted
himself at home. He loved Leone so
we'll that he knew his love would have
broken down the barriers which the
law had placed between them. He
would go to River View and, let it
pain him as it would, he would tell
her all, he would leave her as happy
as was possible under the circum
stances. He would stay away until the
time was over; then, the very day he
came of age, he would return and re-
marry her. He laughed to scorn his
mothers prophecy. He prove untrue
L. TN l. G01
first. Not for him the mill-Wheel sto-
ry-not for film the broken ring.
How happy they would be, then,
when the time had passed and he could
introduce Leone as his beloved wife
to the whole world. He would try
and think of that time without dwell
ing more than he could help on the
wretched present. He went home to
River View, but the first glance at
Leone's face told him that she knew
all.
It was not SO much that the beauty
had gone from it, that the beautiful
eyes were dim with long, passionate
weeping, or that the lips trembled as
she trieQ to smile. Her whole face
had changed so completely; it's tragic
intensity, the power of it's despair,
overmastered him.
Lord (Chandos clasped her in his
arms, and covered the sad young face
with kisses and tears.
my darling" ne said, ''you know
all; can see you know ALL.
The ring of happy music had quite
died from her voice-he hardly recog-
nized it.
eyes," she answered him, 81 know
ALL
my darling he cried, cit is not my
fault You will think [ ought to have
known it; but | swear to Heaven that
| never even thought or suspected it.
I would rather have been dead than
have put you in false position, Lee
one-you know that"
She laid her fair arms on his neck,
and hid her white face on his breast.
81 am sure of it," she said, gently;
81 have never thought of that; know
that you intended to make me your
wife
so you are my wife, let who will
say to the contrary-you are my be-
loved, revered, honored wife, Leone.
Why, my darling, all the strength has
left you! Look up, Leone. They
have done the worst they can do, and
what is it? They have parted us for
a few months When the parting is
ended we shall be together for life.
She frightened the clasp of her fair
arms around his neck.
'I know; l have faith in you, but
it is so hard to bear, Lance. We were
so happy, and you were all the world
to me. How shall I live through the
long months to come? Lance. per-
haps you will be angry with mel
have done something that perhaps you
| will not like"
THAT would not be possible, Leone.
I must always like everything you do.
Why, my draling, how you tremble!
| Sit down, there is nothing in all the
world to fear
mo; let me tell you what I have
to say with my head here on your
breast. You must not be angry with
me, Lance. When I had seen Mr..
| SeWell, I felt that I could not bear it.
I went down to Cawdor and saw Lady
LansWell."
He started with surprise. She
raised her face to his, longing to see
if he were angry, yet half afraid.
''You went to Cawdor to see my
mother" he repeated. "My darling, it
was strong measure. What did she
say or do?"
'You are not angry with me for it,
Lancer" she asked, gently.
Il angry, my darling? No, thou
sand times no. I could not be angry
with you. Why did you go-for what
| purpose?"
IT went to ask her to have pity on
us; not to enforce this cruel sentence;
to be pitiful to me, because [ love you
so dearly
oo1zo5 OrJ