Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-26
Continued.


mot even if it breaks my heart,
Ethel?"
"Not if it breaks your heart and
mine" she whispered; 1--WE must part,
and it will be unwise for US ever to
meet again"
He buried his face in the soft, silken
folds of her dress, and a silence that
was full of pain fell over them. When
he raised his face again it was color
less as her own, with great lines Of
pain round the firm lips.
How cruel women are!" he cried.
The fairest among them are more
cruel than the boy who cages a bird
and then tortures it to death. Ethel,
you knew that I loved you, and you
took my heart in your hands only to
break it. Oh, cruel-cruel and cold!"
Nay, Oscar!" she interrupted. 81
stand on the threshold of a parting
that will be to both of us more bitter
than death; believe me, on my word,
| did not think Of love. I did not know
you loved mel did not know that
loved you; l thought that we were only
dear, true friends. | never meant to
love any one; the knowledge came on
me as a shock or terrible surprise, but
it came too late. You believe me, Os-
car do you nOt?"
MY poor child-my poor Ethel, for
give me if l seemed to upbraid you.
Darling, | would rather love you, and
in yIrir +ncf
affection from any one else. But,
Ethel, this secret Of yours-does Lord
ST. Norman know it?"
She looked at him, her sweet face
white with terror.
No she replied, quickly; "and
you must not lead him to suppose that
there is one, Oscar. He will think
am proud and cold of heart; he must
think so-better anything than that
he should suspect the truth
II wish you would trust me-" he said.
This is not the age of mystery or ro-
nance; what secret can a fair young
life like yours hold, Ethel, which
should prevent your being happy?"
She listening to him, buried her face
in her hands, weeping wildly, and cry
ing that it was all her fauIt-all her
falkland that she was most bitterly
punished for her sin.
q. Ethel was the first to recover herself,
Sir Oscar was like one stunned by a
sudden blow; Ethels words were SO
unexpected that for time they had
unnamed him. She laid her hands on
his, and looked at him.
Heaven knows" she said, chat l
would have borne anything rather than
have inflicted this pain upon you. l
did not mean it. Will you forgive me ?
The only pleasant memory I can carry
with me through life is that you have
forgiven me-"
Il have nothing to forgive" he re-
turned, gently. 81 have told you, Ethel,
that | would rather be unhappy with
your love than happy with the truest
affection of another. You will send
me from you, then, Ethel?"
81 must; there is no alternative. |
send you from me in time, that may
meet you in eternity. I might have de-
ceived you, and have done wrong; but
then there would have been no heaven
for me. | shall bear the pain of my
life as bravely as I can"
"You are so good, Ethel" he moaned,
Il am sure you have done no wrong"
And then he looked at her white face.
What am to do, Ethel How am I
to bear my life?"
She thought of his own words in
India, and longed to repeat them.
4 must bear it, too" he continued;
but it is the heaviest sorrow man
ever had to bear. Ethel, do you mean
that | am to go back to Lord st.
Norman, tell him that I have failed,
and then go away without the least
CLEAN of hope? Do you mean that?"
There is no hope" she replied;
and shall be grateful to you if you
will tell my father. He will be angry
and disappointed, but it cannot be
helped"
} will do that or anything else for
you. And this is the last time, Ethel,
that | am to look into your beautiful
face and hold your hand in mine-the
last time I am to whisper loving words
to you?"
Yes. it is the last time" she an
swered.
Ethel he said, suddenly, make
me one promise-that, if you ever
want help, you will send for me- I
will not ask again what your secret is
if you could. you would tell me.
But if ever there comes time when I
can help you-when a strong right
arm, an earnest will, devoted heart
may be of service to you-you viii
send for me?"
i will" She said.
Another request, my darling-if
lie dying and send for you, will you
come to bid me fareweu?"
Without fail" she promised.
May I write to you, Ethel" he
asked-"not often, but sometimes, so
that I may hear from yourself that
you are living and well?"
1T will be better not. Try to forget
me, dear; try even if you can, to find
some one else more worthy of your
great and generous love. Try to forget
me, for l can never be your wife. and
we two must henceforth be as strang-
ers."
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
She is not Happy"
It was noon before Ethel left the
shade of the cedar-tree and returned