Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-11-30
A MID LOVE
BERTHA M. CLAY,
BERTHA M. CLAY.

fed when she went away.
While to Lady Chandos had come
the first burst Of an intolerable pam,
her first anguish OF jealousy, her only
emotion at the commencement of the
conversation was one OF extreme indls-
nation. 1t was calumny, she told
herself. and she had vehemently es-
poused her husbands cause; but waon
she was alone and began to think over
what had been said her faith was
somewhat shaken.
1t was a straightforward story.
Captain and Lady Evelyn Blake were
quite incapable of inventing such a
thing. Then she tried TO remember
how Tuesday had passed. 1t came
back to her with keen sense of pain
that on Tuesday she had not seen him
all day. He had risen early and had
gone out, leaving word that he should
not return for luncheon. She had
been to a morning concert, and had
stayed until nearly dinner time with
the countess. When she returned TO
Stoneland House he was there; they
had a dinner party. ana neither hus-
band nor wife had asked each other
how the day was srent. His
absence tailed with the story; but her
faith in her husband was not to he
destroyed by the gossip of people who
had nothing to do but talk.
What was it Lady Ilfield had said?
That she was the only person in Lon
don who did not know that her hus-
band was Madame Vanira's shadow.
Could that be true? She remembered
all at once his long absences, his alb
straction; how she wondered if he had
any friends whom he visited long and
intimately.
Madame Vanira's beautiful face rose
before her with its noble eloquence,
its grandeur and truth. No, that was
not the woman who would try to rob a
woman of her husbands love. Mad
anne Vanira, the queen Of song, the
grand noble woman who sv'ayed men S
hearts with her glorious voice;
Madame Vanira, who had kissed her
face and called herself her friend. 1t
was impossible. She could sooner
have believed that the sun and moon
had fallen from the skies than that her
husband had connived with her friend
to deceive her. The best plan would
be to ask her husband. He never spoke
falsely: he would tell her at once
whether it were true or not. She
waited until dinner was over and then
said to him:
Lance, can you spare me few min
utes? ! want to speak to you"
They were in the library, where
Lord Chandos had gone to write lot
ter. Lady Marion looked very beauti-
fr. in her pale-blue dinner dress and a
suit of costly pearls. She went up to
her husband and kneeling down by his
side, she laid her fair arms round mis-
neck.
Lance" she said, "before l say
what have to say want to make an
act OF faith in YOU"
He smiled at the expression.
IAN act OF faith in me, Marion?" he
said. ~ hope lou have all faith"
Then remembering, he stopped, and
his face flushed.
II have need of faith" she said, "for
| have heard strange story about
you. denied it, deny it now, but |
should be better pleased with your
denial also"
What is the story" he asked,
anxiously and her quick ear detected
the anxiety of his voice
Lady Ilfeld has been here this
afternoon, and tells me that last Tues
day you were with Madame Vanira at
Ousely, that you rowed her on the
river, and that Captain Blake spoke 10
you there Is it true?"
Lady Ilfield is a misunderstanding
OLD" began Lord Chandos, but his
wifes sweet, pale face startled him.
Lance" she cried, suddenly, ooh.
my God, 1t is not true?"
The ring OF pain and passion In her
voice frightened him; she looked At
him with eyes full OF woe.
at is not true?" she repeated.
who said it was true?" he asked
angrily.
Then there was a few minutes OF
silence between them; and Lady Mar
ion looked at him again
Lance" she said. lis 1t trueo"
Their eyes met, hers full OF one
eager question. His lips parted her
whole life seemed to hang on the word
that was coming from his lips
rs it true?" she repeated
He tried to speak falsely, he would /
have given much for the power to say
No" He knew that one word would
content her--that she would believe 1t
and that she would never
renew the question. Still with that
pure face before him--with those clear
eyes fixed on him-he could not speak
falsely. he could not tel lie. He
.ould have cried aloud with anguish,
'et he answered proudly:
1T is true. Marion"
"True?" she repeated. vacantly.
true Ianne2n