Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-12-28
CHAPTER XVII.

/ anu IL mas DetH the NOISJ lhlH6 Couiu
have done. How dares she to think
could forgive her! Forgive such a
wrong as that! No; not il were ID
peasant and she were a pFincess!"
He turned again to his books, but
the lovely face seemed TO shine on the
page.
The morning sun came bright and
warm into the room; there was u
| fragrance of mignonnette and hello
trope which brought the garden of
| Ashburnham back freshly to his mind.
He laid his pen down with sigh OF
| despair.
How am | to work" he said. "if |
am troubled in this way?'
"A lady wishes to see you. sir" an
nounced the servant. She would not
give her name, but said her business
was very important
SHOW her In here" he said. 1T Is
about some subscription, or charity, |
suppose"
He looked once more at his book, to
note the page, and when he raised his
eyes again he saw Ismay standing near
him-Ismay, his beautiful wife, once
SO beloved The morning sunbeams
fell upon her lovely face, on her sweep
ing dress, on the mass of golden brown
hair, on the white hands so tightly
clasped. She looked at him eagerly.
PAUL" she cried. you are Paul;
neither your changed name nor your
changed position can deceive me, You
are Paul-my husband"
She went up to him with an eager
step--she knelt at his feet and raised
her face to his.
Speak one word TO me-" she said.
ri am Ismay; and, oh. Paul, | am come
to pray you to pardon me-to implore
you to take me back--to tell you how
grieved am, how sorry for my sin. .
The words died on her lips in
passion of tears. The stern pride and
GOODNESS OF his face frightened her.
He drew away from the touch of the
white jewelled hands
II have no wife, he said "rhe
woman loved with my whole soul,
who promised me her truth, and faith,
deserted me. ! have no wife"
Her voice was broken with sobs as
she answered him.
II know it was wrong-cruelly,
wickedly wrong-but I was tempted,
and fell oh, Paul, be merciful TO
me! | was so young. so vain, so weak.
! Forgive me, and take me back"
She might have seen how terrible
was the struggle-great drops stood
upon his forehead, his whole frame
| trembled
You ask ne to take you back.
Why? Tell me why"
Because love because 1t
seems to me that my soul has been
long asleep. 1t has awakened and
| knows no rest My heart cries for you
i love you. Take me back, Paul
You were happy enough for many
| years without me" he said.
mo, | was not happy was intoxi-
in pleasure was given up heart and
soul to the world. | never stopped to
/ think never dared to do sol have
/ lived as IN dream | have awakened
/ from that dream, and | am here.
| kneeling at your feet, praying you to
| pardon me
/ DO you remember that you robbed
/ me of my son." he asked-'that you
| took him from me. and never thought
! of my claim TO his love as we'll as your
own"
She bowed her head, while the tears
| rained from her eyes.
Il am guilty, she said-'oh, so
guilty PAUL | pray you forgive me
and take me back"
You feel that you will not be happy
again unless | do so. lsmay?'
Never" she replied.
Then listen 10 me. The hour Of my
vengeance has come at last. What |
/ suffered when you left me, only
Heaven knows The agony of death
cannot equal the agony Of outraged
love and despair, ! will not tell you
of ali my pain lest you should pity me,
and will have none Of your pity, but
in my anguish | swore that | would
take vengeance Now the time has
come when | can keep my vow-when
can send you from my feet-when
can refuse your prayer, and tell you
that never. never more shall you be
Wife of minei
she bowed her head with deep, bit
ter sob, and then she raised her arms
and tried TO clasp them round his neck.
But he drew back and caught her
hands he would have no caress from
her. He held her hands 50 tightly
that he left great red marks upon
them
Woman weak, vain light Of pur-
pose. light of love what 40 yos know
Of the depth of mans heart' What
40 yOu know OF the force Of his pas
sion. the strength OF his love- Weak
frail easily led ready % sell your
dearest end best 20 the first bidder
Won think You cau play with mans