Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-30

You shall wait a month, so as to give
her time to think over all she has
lost, and then you shall go again, and
this time you shall invite her to
Bralyn, and escort her here. You shall
bring the boy too for a months visit
not her husband, mind. He cannot
refuse my grandchild permission to
visit me: and, if she comes, l will un-
dertake to say that she will never go
back. Let her once taste such a life
as she will lead here, and she is
mine"
Sorely against his will Mr. Ford
consented. He went once more to
Ashburnham, and found his way to
the pretty cottage in the wood. Ismay's
face flushed deepest crimson when she
saw him. She held out her hand, with
gesture almost sublime in it's de-
spair.
You must not come to tempt me
again." she cried. Il am not strong.
Pray leave me-"
Il am here only to invite you and
your son to Bralyn," he returned.
Lord Carlswood will let the question
Of adoption rest for a time; but he
wants to see you and your little
Lionel"
mot my husband?" she asked, with
whitening lips.
mo, he will not receive Mr.. VALID
ron. You can please yourself Of course
as to accepting the invitation or
not
Il should like to co. she said, eager
ly. Il have longed to see little of the
beautiful, great world. Tell me-
tell me all about Bralyn''
He described the place to her; he hid
from her no details of her grand
fathers wealth, position, and grandeur
81 must co. she cried again. Paul
will not object to my going there
when he knows"
you have not told your husband?"
questioned Mr.. Ford
Not one word she replied. do you
think he will be unwilling for me to-
go?"
Il cannot tell. You must be the
better judge. You will have to ask
permission"
She sat for some minutes in thought
full silence, and then with a grave,
pale face looked at the lawyer.
Il should like to go to Bralyn," she
said. Il should like to see just once
what the grand world is like Of course
| shall come back again. Considering
the great sacrifice | have to make, l
think may allow myself this pleasure,
but am afraid, if Paul knew what my
grandfather has proposed, he would
never let me go. / have been thinking
that you might tell him the story-in-
form him who my mother was, and Of
Lord Carlswood's invitation without
saying anything about his conditions
for adopting my boy and myself
AS she spoke her lips grew white.
Yes, she was sure to come back, she
repeated to herself. She wanted only
one glimpse of the great world, and
then she would come back.
You think, if Mr.. Waldron knew
what Lord Carlswood has proposed, he
would not consent for you to pay even
this visit?" said Mr.. Ford.
II am quite sure of it; he would
prevent my going"
"Why?" asked the lawyer briefly.
He would be afraid that l should
never come back" she replied.
But you do intend to return-you
have no idea of accepting Lord Carls-
woods offer?"
mot in the least she said; II told
you I would never break my husbands
heart"
But it struck him there were no
longer the same fire and animation in
her words
You will come this evening" she
said, land tell my husband ALL
Paul" said Ismay, as they sat to-
gether watching the sunset, do you
see that stranger at the garden-gate?
He is coming to tell you the strangest
story you ever heard in all your life"
stupefied silence, in bewildered dis
may. Once, as he listened, passion
ate cry of despair came from his lips,
and the lawyers heart was touched
with pity. When the story was
finished, Paul forgot the strangers
presence; he turned to his wife with
love and tenderness unutterable.
80, my darling" he said, my
beautiful love, you are great lady
after ALL
Il am your wife, Paul." she re-
Joined, her lovely face softening at the
sight Of his great emotion.
"And this lord has invited you-you
and our boy-to visit him-you with
out me!'
perhaps he wants to see me first, "
she returned. cit may be that he will
ask to see you next"
To be continued.
FAME.