Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-08-30
Repented at Leisure.
BERTHA M. CLAY.
Concluded.


seas with me; the hardest officials that
opened that little box to see what 1t
contained closed it quickly again and
said nothing. l have kissed it when
all the diamonds, all the wealth Of
his world would have been valueless
/ have priced it as kings do their
crown as misers their gold. Do you
know what the contents are, Ethel?"
She looked at the withered, faded,
dried leaves.
No she replied, gently, 81 do not"
Those are the passion-h flowers that
you held in your hand as bridal
bouquet on the morning we were
married Ethel; they are no more
faded and dead than my hopes"
AS he spoke, the whole scene with It's
surroundings rose wildly before her
the sweet dewy summer morning, the
church with its stained-glass windows,
the altar where she had stood in the
varying lights, the passion flowers thar
she had gathered all shining with
dew She remembered how he had
taken them from her.
They were suitable flowers for you,
Ethel" he said. 81 remember how
grieved l felt at the time-how the
sight of them filled rue with dsmay
but they were well chosen-they were
tokens of what was to follow. Roses
would have been uniting for my
bride. oh Ethel, they are not so dead
or so faded, dear, as my hopes. You
will see that they are buried with me.
Promise. Ethel"
Il promise she replied but her
voice was almost inaudible.
Then he seemed suddenly to become
aware of Sir Oscars presence. He
looked at him long and earnestly.
ETHEL he said. place those poor
dead flowers on my breast, and let me
hold your hands in mine 1t Ia only
for a few short minutes dear. The
river is rising and am sinking. You
told me that had blighted your life
that you loved some one from whom
you had been obliged to part. This is
noble, fearless face-the face of Il
good and noble man. Is it he whom
you love. Ethel9"
yes" she replied; Il loved him and
parted from him"
81 am glad that he Is here"
He turned his dying face to Sir
Oscar.
Il am glad that you have come" he
said. Your presence will shield Ethel
from all harm, from all comment.
May / say something to you? She, my
poor young wife is free from all blame
The lilies in the field are not purer
than she is. 1t was all my fault-all
mine. | saw her. and she was so
beautiful that | loved her at once with
a love that has lasted my life, and will
end only with my death | tempted
her. | saw that she was proud, and on
her wounded pride, her wounded love
played skillfully. Ethel never loved
me. l flattered her. l studied every
weakness Of her character and made
them all subservient to my designs. |
bear witness here on my death-bed
that she was not in the least to
blame-that no faint or suspicion Of
wrong could be attached to her-that
sinned against her. | deceived her.
She was young, simple. innocent as
child, and | worked upon her through
49, AN'NAen s'iid AOAlAp tSu lltl NllTOuSu HHE
pride. | did her so great wrong in
marrying her that | deserve the bit
terest punishment. and have had il.
You will not let Ethel suffer for my
sin?''
Sir Oscar bent over him, With
kindliest pity on his face Il believe
YOU he said. earnestly Il am sure
that the fair. sweet girl we have both
loved is free from blame 1t will make
your death-bed happier il tell you
something else l will do all can to
make the remainder of her life happy.
will give her the greatest love, the
greatest reverence. / will do all can
TO make her forget the terrible past.
+ You may trust me; we will respect
your memory. and will do what you
would most desire-make her happy"
"A light more tender and beautiful
than they had seen before came over
Laurie Carrington's face He raised
Sir Oscars hand to his lips.
MAY Heaven bless you'll" he said.
lyon are noble man. You are a
nobleman," he repeated. family. and
am glad that she wtll be happy.
There is no more jealousy or envy left
in me; il is all dead, | shall die the
more easily for knowing what l do.
Life is sweet to us all. but am pleased
that | can die and leave her free"
Then his hand relaxed its hold.
ETHEL. Ethel" he cried, the river
rnns on so swiftly and so dark; 1t is
( here-up TO my lips. Win you bend
down and kiss my face once-only
once. before die, for my great love S
sakc9"
She looked up at Sir Oscar.
"ShaI do what he wishesg" her
ewes seemed TO ask.
He answered her. gravely:
'Yes; 1t is for thu last time. ETHEL .
She laid her fresh. warm lips on his
already SO cold and numb.
sMy beautiful uueenl" he murmured,
ssmy hearts Lowell oh, Ethel. Ethel.
hold mel The water is here-it is
OVERWHELMING mel"