Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-25
Continued.


place would look on you as an enemy
I do not. If you have ever really loved
my son you cannot be an enemy of
mine. I appeal to the higher and no
bier part Of you. Some people would
be afraid that you should triumph over
them-I am not hold you for gen
.erous foe"
Lady Lanswell looked as she felt
embarrassed. 1t was one thing to car
-ry this interview through in fancy, but
still another when face to face with the
the foe, and that foe beautiful,
naughty woman, with right on her
side. My lady was less at ease than
she had ever been in her life before.
her eyes fell, her lips trembled her
gemmed fingers played nervously with
her laces and ribbons.
THAT I should come to you at all,
Leone, proves that think you a noble
woman, " she said. "My trouble is great
the happiness of many lives lies in
your hands"
81 do not understand how" said
Leone.
81 will tell you" continued the
countess. You are going to Berlin, are
you not?"
She saw a CULVER of pain pass over
question.
Yes, replied Leone; 81 have an en-
gagement there"
And Lord Chandos my son, has
said something about going there,
toO?"
Eyes" replied Leone; "and I hope
he will. He knows the city well, and
I shall be glad to see a familiar face"
There was a minutes silence, during
which Lady Lanswell brought all her
wit and courage to bear on the situa-
ton. She continued:
Lady Chandos does not wish my
son to go to Berlin. I suppose it is no
secret from you that she entirely disap-
proves of her husbands friendship
with you?"
Leone bowed her proud, beautiful
head
That is matter of little moment to
me, she said.
My lady's face flushed at the words.
Il may tell yOu," she went on, chat
since Lady Chandos heard of this
friendship she has been very unhappy.
mo one cared when [ was unhappy"
said Leone. mo one pleaded for me-
Il do plead for Lady Marion" said
the countess, whatever you may think
of me. She has done you no harm.
Why should you make mischief be-
tween her and her husband?"
why did you make mischief be-
tween me and mine?" retorted Leone;
and my lady shrunk as she spoke.
Listen to me, Leone" she said;
you must help me, you must be my
friend. If my son goes to Berlin
against his wife's prayers and wishes,
she has declared that she will never
speak to him or see him again
THAT cannot concern me- said
Leone.
For Heavens sake listen. and do
not speak to me so heartlessly. If he
goes to Berlin, Lady Chandos will ap-
peal to the Duke Of Lester, who has
Just obtained for my son the greatest
honor that can be conferred on an
English gentleman-the Order of the
Garter. In plain words, Leone, if my
son follows you to Berlin, he will lose
his wife, he will lose his good name, he
will lose caste, his social position, his
chance of cOurtly honors the respect OF
his own class. He will be laughed at
as a dupe, as a man who has given up
all the bonOrs of life to dance attend
n
gees either with you, or after you, to
Berlin, he is in every sense of the
word a ruined mani" and my lady
voice faltered as she said the words.
why not tell Lord Chandos all this
himself, and see what he says?" asked
Leone
Perfect desperation brings about per-
feet frankness-my lady knew that it
was quite useless to conceal anything.
81 have said all this and more to my
son, but he will not even listen to me. "
A scornful smile curved those lovely
lips
He persists in going to Berlin,
then?" said Leone, quietly.
Yes" replied my lady he persists
in it."
Then why come to me? If your son
persists in a certain course of action
why come to me?"
Because you can influence him.
ask you to be noble beyond the nobility
of women; I ask you to be generous be-
yond the generosity of women; I ask
YOU to forget the past and forbid my
son to follow you to Berlin. You
know the end must be bad one-for-
bid it. I ask you with the warmest of
prayers and of tears!"
1t was then that Leone rose in
righteous wrath, in hot indignation, in
angry passion-rose and stood erect
before the woman who had been her
enemy
Il refuse" she said. Years ago
vent to you a Supplemented, loving
girl and I prayed you for Heavens
5ake to have mercy on me. You re-