Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-23

how the Master of Bralyn would re
ceive the news of her marriage. H
decided that he would trust to no let
ter but would go to Bralyn himself
and then he could tell Lord Carls
wood all
There was missing only one link il
the evidence; he wanted to see thu
| locket and ring. There was no course
open to him save to tell the Vicar wha
was his real errand, and he did so I'M
der promise of secrecy. Then Mr.
! Kirde1 showed him the locket. Al.
though he was prepared for it, still the
sight of Lord Carlswood's well-knowr
| features did startle hint was the
sure confirmation of all the other evi.
dence
Mr.. Ford fastened back to Bralyn
Lord Carlswood was greatly agitated.
''You say she is beautiful-so like
her mother? What were they thinking
Of to let her marry so young? If that
could but be undone!W What is her hus-
band like?'
EHe is true son Of the people
Will d uu0 Lace
and a manly Observation-Disclosures, and
very clever, they say, at all kinds of
mechanism. His mania is invention.
He is a complete radical in politics,
believing in the rights Of the workman,
and is eloquent after grand, rugged
fashion of his own-for he makes
speeches, and is looked upon as lead
er in his own small circle"
Lord Carlswood held up his hands
With a gesture of horror
"Enough!" he cried. "And what do
you say his calling is?"
Mr.. Ford looked half puzzled.
Il can hardly tell you," he replied
Some people called him the Squire's
steward, others his gamekeeper-to me
he seemed to hold both Offices.
Does his wife seem warmly attached
to him." was the next question
The lawyer smiled.
Il am better judge, my lord, of the
merits of a law case than of lady's
affection. l suppose she loves him
All wives love their husbands-do they
not?'
by no means" was the cynical re-
ply. you say the boy is healthy and
likely to live?"
Il am no judge of children either;
but ] never saw a more beautiful
child He looked strong and we'll"
Then there was a silence for some
minutes; the old lord seemed en-
crossed in thought. His brows were
knit, his lips firmly closed and his
hands tightly clasped. Once a deep
sigh came from him, and then he was
silent again. He raised his eyes at
last, and looked in the lawyers face
By the strangeness of the glance, Mr.
Ford felt sure that some difficult prop
osition was coming.
Lord Carlswood rose from mis- seat
He went over to the mantlepiece, above
which hung portrait of Jocelyn, Lord
CarlsWood, who fought so bravely for
the Stuart king, Charles the Second
He looked long and earnestly at the
pictured face-a dark face, full of noble
resolve, full of fire and valor-and then
he turned slowly and looked at Mr.
Ford again.
The Carlswoods have fallen very
low during my lifetime" he said;
their name is sullied, their honor tar
nished. But l have not fallen so low
as to allow man of that kind to make
his home here.
"A man OF what kind?" asked Mr.
Ford in surprise.
That low-born ill-bred radical. I
should expect all the dead and gone
Carlswoods to rise up in wrath against
me if | even thought of such a thing"
Then what do you propose?" asked
the lawyer.
His lordship paused before he re-
piled.
Perhaps my plans may not meet
with your appreciation" he said, "but
| may tell you at once that l am indif-
ferent about that. This is my fixed
resolve, and neither heaven or earth
shall move me from it. I will adopt
my daughters child-this bright,
beautiful Ismay. / will make her a
wealthy heiress. She shall have the
large fortune that was to have been
divided between my two younger boys.
| will adopt her son; he shall be my
heir. He shall be Lord Carlswood OF
Bralyn after me. But-listen to me
Ford do all this solely on condition
that she give up this low-bred husband
of hers and consents never to see him
again. If she will not agree, the whole
matter mus end-she may remain
where she is, and I will find another
heir"
There was another long silence, dur.
ing which the singing of the birds anG
the whispering of the winds amongs
the trees could be plainly heard; ani
then Mr.. Ford's voice broke the ST
lence.
1T is not right, my lord" he said
abruptly. Such separation as tina
is against all law human and divine
it is against the customs of men AM
the will of Heaven
Nevertheless it must take place.
will never receive the husband here"
Yet you would receive his child
He is of my own race, but hi
father is alien to it. He has nobl
DIOOu III HIS veins. HIS 1dluGI I'D
none. He has no claim on me; no
will ever acknowledge one"
My lord" said the lawyer, Il wi
so still farther. will speak even NOR
: strongly. What you propose to do
wicked Pardon the word; it is simpl
! wicked, and I will have nothing to
5 with it.
That is at your own option" re
: turned Lord Carlswood, haughtil.