Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-11-23

What has the man done, my lord
| that you should seek to tempt from
him wife he loves? 1t is not his
fault that she is Carlswood. He gave
her all he had-his love, his heart, his
name: he has been proud to work for
her; he loves her Why should you part
them? What has he done? Why should
he suffer-"
Il have suffered myself" said the
old lord, remulously-"every one suf-
fers.'
How would you have felt, my lord
if any one had sought to tempt Lady
Carlswood from your"
The Master of Bralyn held up his
fine white hand with a warning ges-
ture.
You have the privilege of speaking
plainly he said; do not abuse it. Do
not institute comparisons; there can
be none between such a man and my
self. 1t is absurd to suppose that he
would have sensitive or refined feel
ings. | have no doubt that goodly
sum Of money will make ample amends
to him for the loss of his wife. What
did you say, Mr.. Ford?"
Il said, may Heaven pardon you my
lord?"
Thank you," was the sarcastic re-
| turn. 'The honor of my name is dearer
to me than anything on earth, besides
how dear even you could not tell.
should sully it if I offered that man
home here
''You sully it far more by seeking to
part those whom God has joined. My
lord' continued the lawyer, with pas
sionate eloquence, 81 no longer wonder
at the French Revolution shall won
der no more at the revolt of the poor
against the rich-if these be the ways
in which the great men of the world
treat the humber ones. If you had
two doves-two tender birds-you
would hesitate before you parted them;
but this man, with a mans SOUL keen
to suffer, with mans heart, full of
deep affections, you will torture, and
not even own that the torture is pain"
Lord Carlswood smiled and no great
anger darkened his face.
Il like you none the less Ford, for
your frank speaking; there are few who
dare say so much to me. My opinion
is still unchanged. | shall receive my
grandchild Ismay and her son only on
those conditions. l will leave you to
consider the matter. If you decline
the further management of my affairs,
so be tiff not, i will authorize you to
make all arrangements
Left by himself, the lawyer thought
the matter over.
IF [ refuse some one else will do
it," he said-"some one who has no in
fuence over him, and who never can
do anything for their good; l have
some little influence, and will use it
for their benefit. Let him have Ismay
and her son; his heart will soften in
time, and then I shall be able to per-
suade him to receive the husband too"
When, afterwards, Lord Carlswood
came for his answer, Mr.. Ford said
Il will undertake the affair, my lord;
but let me tell you first that l do so
under protest. In my opinion the
whole thing is cruel and wicked"
That same day he returned to Ash
burnham. He tried to comfort himself
by saying that it would all come right
in time; but his heart was heavy with
in him, he did not like his commission.
Il must see Mrs. Waldron alone" he
thought; cit will not be fair to her if
tell her before her husband. She
must have time to think it over alone"
Once more at Ashburnham he watch
ed Paul Waldron leave his home, and
for his wife. She was looking more
beautiful than ever, he thought. She
had been out in the garden tying up
the roses; the perfume of the crimson
blossoms seemed to linger about her,
her face was exquisite in its dainty
bloom. She smiled graciously when
she saw her visitor.
You have returned to make the
SKETCH she said; but there was no
answering smile on his face.
81 have returned" he replied, "be
cause l want to speak to you, Mrs.
Waldron. I have something most i'm
portant to say to you. Can you spare
me little time, now, at once?"
Her beautiful face grew pale with
apprehension.
cit is nothing that need brighten
you" he said "Some people would per-
haps call it good news; I shall leave
you to think of it as you will. I
should like to see you alone" he con-
tinued; and Ismay led the way to the
pretty seat under the elm-tree.
This is my drawing-room," she said
with bright smile; "but I do not
know that I have received a visitor
here before"