Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-10


She was not spoiled now. AS the
money melted through his hands, Lys-
ter Ayrton grew bad tempered, impa-
tient, and, at times, violent. He was
Eore at home-for he found familiar
faces looking coldly at him, and once
firm friends passing him by.
The officers of his regiment showed
their appreciation Of his conduct b.
cutting him dead. Even those with
whom he gambled began to look sus-
piciously upon him. Added to which,
he began to grow very short of ready
money; and he knew when this was
gone he had not another penny in the
world to call his own.
Yet it was the same world she had
lived in one short year ago; but how
changed to her! Was this sullen,
gloomy man, who seldom spoke with
out an oath, the gay, handsome soldier
who Wooed her under the shade of
Glynn Woods? He had no pleasant
words for her now. He was disap-
pointed in his expectations, and he
hated her for the disappointment He
spoke angrily to her; he hated her for
being burden and an expense. Yet
he would not let her go from him.
Once when she asked him for money
to buy something that was needful for
her, he swore at her for the cost she
was to him; and she, who had never
heard rough word, shrunk shudder-
ingly away, and asked him if she
should go from him.
He would not loosen his hold upon
her. 1t was impossible that the squire
should persist in refusing to help her
Even if he did, he must die and then
Irene would share all he left with her
sister. He would not let her go away.
He was content with visiting upon her
head the disappointment he felt so
keenly.
Their came day when he entered
brusquely the room where the young
wife sat, and told her the crisis had
come-they were ruined. He had only
few pounds left in the world. They
must leave the villa, and take two
small rooms in the city somewhere,
where lodgings were cheap. He dshowe
her all he had, and asked her if she
would write to Sir Rupert now.
He looked SO desperate, so hard, that
her heart went cold with an unknown
fear. She dreaded refusing. yet would
never consent.
will you writer" he asked doggedly
BY this time next week we shall have
neither food nor money. The price Of
my commission is all gone. Will you
writer"
Il cannot, Lyster!" she said, quietly,
raising her fair, patient face to his.
He struck it-leaving a red mark on
the white cheek! Struck the face her
father had been wont to kiss so ten
derby! the face Rupert Dacre carried
shrined in his heart! He was beside
himself with anger at her refusal
She did not cry out or weep, or fling
herself on the ground Her lips turned
a shade paler, and a shadow fell over
her eyes. She only said to herself,
over and over again, that God had pun
ished her-her sin had found her out.
He was little ashamed and sorry,
and bent over her to make some ex-
cuse. To the day of his death Lyster
Ayrton never forgot the glance she
turned upon him, so full Of the dig
nifty Of despair
In less than a week the squires
daughter had left the pretty villa, and
found her home in two very dingy
rooms in Pentonville Here some of
the realities of life came to her for the
first time. She realized vulgar cares;
she learned what it was to want
money and have none; to be hungry,
and not find enough to eat; to feel
faint, sick and weary, yet not obtain
relief; to be dunned by small trades
men, and insulted by wealthier ones;
to tremble at the sound of her land
lady's voice; and, when things came
to the worst, the petted darling of
Glynn Castle walked through the dark,
cold streets at night, seeking some
place where she. could sell dress be-
fore she could purchase food.
She would have borne it all with
smiles had she loved Lyster as she
once did. But her misery was not
lessened by love, her solitude was never
lightened by the sight Of loving face,
or the sound of loving voice.
The day came at last when Lyster
Ayrton, worn and haggard, stood be-
fore her, and told her he must leave
England. She never asked why, and
never knew. He asked for the jewels
he had once flung so contemptuously
from him. She gave them up. She
had been keeping them for some such
crisis as this, and it had come at last!
''He would sell them," he said; land
the money would pay their passage
over to Australia"
She asked, tremblingly, if she were
to go with him, and he said, eyes"