The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-01-21
CHAPTER VIII-(Continued.)
SSSCScSS"

"Some women are like that says he,
gloomiy. They can open wide their
heart to their children, yet close II against
the fathers of them. Isabefs whole life IS
given up to her child; she regards 1t as
hers entirely; she allows me no share IN
him. Not" eagerly, that grudge him
one inch the affection she gives him. lie
has a father worthless enough. Let his
mother make it up to him"
Yet he loves the father best" says
Lady Swansdown, quickly.
Il hope not" with suspicion of vIo'
lence
He does, believe me. One can see it.
That sanity mother of his has not half
the attraction for him that you have.
Why, look you. 1t is the way of the world,
why dispute it? Well, we'll" her triumph
ant voice deepening to a weary whisper.
When one thinks of it all, she is not too
happy" She draws her hand in little
bewildered way across her white brow.
You don't understand her. says Balti-
more, frigidly. She lives in a world of
her own. No one would dare penetrate
it. Even her husband, as you call me
in mockery-am outside it. don't believe
she ever cared for me. If she had, do You
think she would have given thought to
that infamous stOryt'
About Madame Istray!'
Yes. You, too, heard of it them:
who hasn't heard? Violet WaldrOn
was not the one to spare YOU She pauses
and looks at him with all her heart in her
eyes WAS there no truth in that story
asks she at last, her words coming with a
little rush.
None l swear it. You believe me-
He has come nearer to her and taken her
hand in the extremity of this desire TO be
believed in by somebody.
Il believe you" says she, gently. Her
voice is 50 low that he can catch the words
only; the grief and misery in them is UNI
known to him. Mercifully, too, the moon
has gone behind a cloud, a tender prepara-
ton for an abdication presently, so that he
cannot see the two heart-broken tears that
steal slowly down her cheeks.
This is more than Isabel does" says
he. with laugh that has something of
despair in il.
You tell me. then" says Lady Swans,
down, that you never saw Madame Is,
tray after your marriageE'
Never, willingly
"Oh, willingly"'
Don't misjudgc me. Hear the whole
story then-if you must.' cries he. pas
sionately though if you do, you Will he
the first to hear It. | am tired Of being
thought a liar,'
Go on" says she, in a low, shocked
tone.
well. one day, one of the many days
during which | went mp TO town, after a
long afternoon with Goodman & Smalc,
in the course Of which they had told me
they would probably require me to call
at their office TO meet one of the most in
fuential tenants at nine the next morning,
I met, on leaving their office, Marchmont
-Marchmont of the Tenth, you know
Yes, | know"
He and couple of other fellows be-
longing to his regiment were going down
10 Richmond to dine Would come? 1t
was dull in town. toward the close of the
season, and | was glad of any invitation
that promised change of program-any-
thing that would take me away from a
dull evening at my club. | made no in
quiries; | accepted the invitation, got
down in time for dinner, and found Mad
anne Istray was one Of the guests
Go on
tricc; you viii let me confess to you that
there had been old passages between me
and Madame IStray at one time. Nothing
very special nothnC-wcll, | swear 10
you had never so much as thought OF her
since my maria e-nay, since my engage
ment to Isabel. From that hour my life
had been clear as a sheet of blank paper
| had forgotten her; | verify believe she
had forgotten me, too. At that dinner |
don't think she exchanged dozen words
with me. On my SOUL pushing back his
hair with a slow, troubled gesture from
his brow, this is the truth"
Your wife has wronged you, terribly
says Lady Swansdown in n low tone.
Thank you,' cried he. passion of
gratitude in his tone. ITO be believed i'm
by some one 50 thoroughly as you believe
in me, IS to know happiness indeed. What
ever happens. l can count on you rs my
friend"
Your friend. always" says she. in 4
very low voice-a voice somewhat broken.
Come" she says. rising suddenly and
walking toward the distant lights in the
house.
lie accompanies her silently.
Very suddenly she turns to him. and
lays her hand upon his arm.
BE my friend" says she. with Quick
access of terrible emotion
Entreary and despair mingle in her tone.
Forever returns he, fcrventIy, tight
er.ns his grasp on her hand.
We'll. signing. 1t hardly matters. We
sha.i not meet again for long, long time. -