Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-06-12

II do not malign him." said the
countess, indifferently. Many gentle
men think it quite complimentary to
be called changeable. My son has
always been known as one of the most
variable of men; nothing pleases him
long; it is seldom that anything
pleases him twice. You think he will
always love you; let me ask you why?
You have pretty face, granted; but
there is nothing under the sun of
which a man tires sooner. You have
nothing else; you have no education,
no accomplishments, no good BIRTH;
should say no good breeding, no po-
sition, rank, or influence. If I may
speak my mind plainly, | should say
that it is most impertinent presump-
ton for you, farmers niece, even to
dream of being Lady Chandos-a pre-
sumption that should be punished, and
must be checked. You would, without
doubt, make an excellent dairy-maid,
even a tolerable housekeeper, but a
countess never. The bare idea is in
tolerable."
She grew more angry as she spoke;
for the girls grace and beauty, the
wonderful sweetness Of her voice, the
passion, the power, the loneliness of
her face, began to tell upon her; she
could not help owning to herself that
she had seen nothing SO marvellous as
this wonderful girl.
Then" said Leone, calmly, 81 have
appealed to you in vain?"
"Quite in vain. Remember that
against you personally I have nothing
to say; neither have I any dislike;
but if you have common sense, you
will see that it is utterly impossible for
my son to take the future Countess of
Lanswell from a farmhouse. Now try
and act rationally-go away at once,
leave my son, and will see that you
have plenty to live upon"
whatever may be said of the class
from which I spring." cried Leone, 81
believe in the sanctity Of marriage, and
I would scorn to barter my love for
anything on earth"
Yes, that is all very pretty and
high-fown," said the countess, with
contemptuous laugh; "but you will find
a few thousand pounds a very comfort
able matter in few years time"
''You said you would rather see your
son dead than married to me, Lady
Lanswell; | repeat that [ would rather
die of hunger than touch money of
yours. | did not know or believe that
on the face of Gods earth there was
ever creature SO utterly hard, cold
and cruel as you
The light of the setting sun had
somewhat faded then, and it moved
from the proud figure of the countess
to the lovely young face of Leone, but
even as the light warmed it new pride.
new energy, new passion seemed to
fill it. The prayer and the pleading
died-the softened light, the sweet ten
derness left it; it was no longer the
face Of tender-hearted girl, pleading
with hot tears that she might not be
taken from her husband-it was the
face of tragedy queen, full of fire
and passion. She stood, with one
hand appraised, like sibyl inspired
Il have done, Lady Lanswell," she
said; you tell me that Lord Chandos
is free to marry as he will when he is
twenty-one'
If you can find any comfort in that
statement, I can verify it," she replied;
but surely you are not mad enough
to think that, when my son is of age,
he will return to you.
II am sure of it," said Leone. ct
believe in my husbands love, and my
husbands constancy, as I believe in
Heaven
Il hope your faith in Heaven will
be more useful to you," sneered the
countess. II have womanly pity
enough to warn you not to let your
hopes rest on this. I prophesy that
Lord Chandos will have utterly for
gotten you by next June, and that he
does not see you again"
Il will not believe it, Lady Lans-
well. You are my superior by birth
and fortune, but I would neither ex-
change mind nor heart with you.
You have sordid and mean ideas. NY
husband will be true, and seek me
when the time comes.''
My lady laughed.
You are very happy to have such
faith in him; I have not half so much
i'll any creature living You hold that
one card in your hand-you seem to
think it winning one It may or
may not be. tel you one thing frank
ly: that I have already settled in nv
own mind who shall be my sons wife
and I seldom fail in purpose"
"You are a wicked woman" crief
Leone. II have no fear of you. You
may try all that you will. I do not
believe that you will take my husband
from me. You are wicked woman,
and God will punish you, Lady Lans-
we'll. You have parted husband and
wife who loved each other.'
ct I'M NOT uoyyy fy.i off,