Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-12-28
CHAPTER XVI.


be rich-to long for the pleasure and
gaity, yet to have all denied her. But
in all her life she had never suffered
anything like this sorroW-the sorrow
of unavailing remOrse, of repentance,
Without the power of atOnement, OF
love that knows itself all unworthy
of ever meeting with love in return.
Lord Carlswood took her to the sea-
side, but she looked no better when
she came back The music of the
waves could not drown the voice Of
her heart 1t was so aroused that
never again was Ismay Waldron to
lull her conscience to sleep or to for
get the wrong she had done.
Even dress had lost it's charm. All
the diamonds of Golconda could not
have restored her peace. She began
to excuse herself from accepting invi-
tations, to find reasons why she should
not go out-and this, too, when, as
Lord Carlswood said, she was in the
pride of her glorious beauty.
The struggle was killing her; it
seemed all the greater that for so
long she had forgotten Paul. She was
always picturing to herself the delight
of a reunion with him; night after
night she dreampt that these ten years
were but dream-that she was at
home with Paul in their little cottage
again clinging to him and praying
him never to let her go; she would
wake with tears streaming down her
face, and weep again that it was but
dream.
n would go back to him." she said
to herself one day with a deep sob
4 would go back to him if l could"
And the idea took possession of her
the idea of going back-giving up
all the advantages she had gained
leaving her beautiful world. Was it a
beautiful world? Her heart ached for
some little love and tenderness-she
was tired of her loveless life-wearied
with the weight Of her sin.
Il would go back to him if | could"
she said; and, just as the thought of
going to Bralyn had once seemed to
her to embody all that was most de-
sirable III the world, but now the
thought of going back to Paul made
her heart beat with delight.
She pictured his happiness. What
would he say if, some day he would
wake up suddenly and see er stand
ing before him? She remembered his
loving words-his tender and caress-
ing manner-his worship of her. He
would be overpowered with delight. He
forgot that the wrong she had done
him was a grieVous one, such as man
never forgets and seldom fOrgives.
She must go back OF course Lord
Carlswood would never forgive her;
but she did not seem to care now so
much for that. She had tried both
lives, and she knew that for real hap
piness the life she had led with her
husband was the truest.
Il will go to him." she said. Il an
not happy here. l cannot live away
from him any longer"
In her own mind she felt sure that
Lord Carlswood would never disin-
herit her boy. He had brought him up
for ten years as his heir, and it did
not seem probable that he would dis
appoint him now. She resolved to go;
and once having made the resolve, she
was very much happier for it. Then
the practical details began to bother
her. She remembered that for ten
years she had heard nothing of Paul's
whereabouts. Was he still in the lit
tie cottage? Her heart contracted
with a sudden, terrible fear was he
living or was he dead?
When should she go? The sooner
she could find an opportunity the bet
ter it wOuIu be. Then she was obliged
to put aside her thought for a time,
Lord Carlswood had made a point of
her attendance at Lady Brentway S
ball and she was compelled to go.
She was especially careful about hey
dress that night She wore robe OF
pale violet velvet, with suite of SUI
perb diamonds, Lord CarlswoOd'S
present to her. Never in her life ha6
Ismay WaldrOn looked more beautiful
The rooms were crowded when she
reached Lady Brentway's. AS usual
mirers, and then she forgot for a time
her doubts, her fears. her troubles
Her beautiful face grew radiant; he
eyes shene bright as stars she was thu
very embodiment of beauty and grace
her voice sounded like sweetest music
her laugh was sweeter than the chin
of bells. She was enchanting: peopl
looked on her with wonder. Sh
danced two or three times. and then
feeling tired, sat down. Lady Brent
way seated herself by her side
Il have the lion of the season here
Mrs. Waldron. Will you allow me t
Introduce him to your"
TO which particular lion do you a
lude?' she asked.
Mr.. Dale of Ravensdale, the 'poI
ular member" as he is called He is
very handsome man, with sad ha
bitter expression of face. You mu
charm him and convert him: we wal
him on the Tory side. told Lon
Brentway, if any one could conve
him. it must be you"
Making conversions is not much
my line" replied Mrs. Waldron.
Political, of course. I have mae
many political conversions"
L hope they were sincere ones
said the beautl II woman. with
laugh.
4 hope so too. If nature had gift
me with face like yours, I shou
have made more. Here comes n
Dale [ have heen wnndarinp why