Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-12-28
would feel fighter if she wenr avn,

You see, am not likely to see him
he has gone to town.
lie is dcwnstairsr'
He is here Lord Ennisford saws.
standing on the threshold. .sNow wish
Lady Ennisford good-by, and make haste
line carriage will be here in thirty
minutes
Must she go?' Lady Ennisford says,
In low, constrained tone,
L have sworn it! and lot no one in
terfere with my will!'' he cries, AFRO
gantly.
His wife's lips form themselves into
the word True but it does away IN
spoken.
This is her husband after all. the man
Whom she has sworn to love, honor and
OBEY, no matter what he thinks fit to do,
IL is not for her to aggravate him into
greater bitterness. His sins against low
ing kindness and fidelity do not exempt
her from her vows.
But Bella, leaning against the wall,
looks at him insolently.
Of course, | know why you want me
gomez, she flashes. sit is because Fran
ces does not know you as I do! and you
think l shall initiate her into few
things, and | shall, even now, even at
this eleventh hour! Don't be fooled
Frances, by him and that dreadful wom-
an, both are as bad as bad can be!''
AS she says this in a loud, ringing
voice, Lord Ennisford, with a couple of
strides, reaches her, and puts his hand
on her mouth.
How dare you desecrate Lady Ennis
ford's presence by such vile untruths 2"
he says, in Infatuated accents.
Bella pushes his hand away.
And how dare You desecrate Lady En-
nlsford's presence as you did last night,
as you have done willfully, deliberately,
through the whole of your married life 2"
she questions. with an evil sheer. 'Pray,
was 1t feeling of honor toward her that
made you send for me?'
A hot scarlet flush rises on his face,
and his eyes absolutely droop little;
and his wife, whose attention is now fully
aroused, and who has been watching both
Of them, gives start
"Ennisford, what does Bella mean by
that!' she asks in a tremulous voice, not
daring to analyze the horrible suspicion
that once scourged her life, but which
had been long laid aside.
Mean, nothing! She is mad woman,
a dangerous lunatic, and before many
days are over her head she will be safe
and snug where her words and deeds will
hurt no one!'
"Oh, that's your game, is it?" Bella
asks, coolly.
If you don't keep quiet-yes!''
Coward" she says, in a deliberate
tone, ''since, if were mad, it would be
your work! Have you forgotten every
thing! Don't you know the meaning Of
regret, conjunction, remorse? I'll go, and
never darken your doors again; but be-
fore / leave it will do me good to dis
burthen my mind of one or two things!
l must tell your wife that 1 have hated
her, and tried to injure her in every
way
'But why, Bella-why have you done
this?' breaks in sweet, gentle voice.
''Why, because he was my love before
he was yours-because he was mine-lny
very own in the sight of heaven; and
you came and took him from me-and so
1 hated you, hated you, hated you as
much as I pity you now!''
Lord Ennisford, paralyzed at this eff
frontery, is dumb as a sheep, and throw
ing him a defiant glance she goes on:
'And | have done another thing, some.
thing which don't repent; of which I'm
glad!-for it will bring that woman to
shame. I have sent Lord Ennisford's
love letters to Lady Aylmer to-Lord
Aylmer!"'
Losing all self-control at this-realiz-
ing the ruin she has brought-Lord En-
nsford springs upon her like wild beast,
and presses her face against the wall
with almost superhuman strength and
ferceness.
At last he releases her, shaking himself
from head to foot, and as she reels lit
-breathless-ashy white, half fainting,
Lady Ennisford feels a certain sensation
Of pity for her, in spite of all. bella,
too. has suffered through-himw she
thinks.
''Go, Bella! pray of you, at once; and
before you go, if you care to hear it, be-
lieve that l forgive you quite anything
YOU may have done against me.'
Bella looks at her amazed. This is
womanly nature and womanly goodness
that she cannot understand, and for the
first time in her life she feels really sorry
for the mischief she has wrought.
Tt seems to her as if touch Of Lady
Enn:sford's hand would do her good, but
Lady Ennisford does not offer it, and
with a wstful look at her Bella turns
away and goes slowly out Of the room,
leaving husband and wife together.
Lady Ennisford sinks back on her sofa
and buries her face in the cushions.
"Wellw says Lord Ennisford, s'what
do you think, of me? l was Bella Grants
lover before our marriage, and | am
Lady Aylmer's lover now!'
.sAnd my husband! Please heaven,
shall never forget that, no matter what
happens!'' says a low, loyal voice through
a heart-broken sob.
ITO be contintled.)
Some Little-Known Facts.