Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-07-19

Then the anguish OF her pain became
too strong fer her, and, turning from
him, with a cry she fell on her face
on the long, cool grass.
He was frightened for her-not for
himself. He felt sure that she loved
him-that ne should win her-that she
would be his wife; but he fancied that
he had startled her-that he had been
too abrupt. Yet why should she look
so despairing? What had she forgot
ten?
He went to her and raised her. AS
he turned her face to the sunlight, he
was startled by its look of pale, set
tied despair. He held her in his arms;
he kissed her white lips.
My darling" he said, forgive me.
I have startled you, Ethel. I shall
never pardon myself if 1 have fright
ened you"
His voice seemed to recall her to her
self-a deadly shudder passed over
her lame. Sir Oscar grew alarmed.
Ethel, my darling, what is the ma
ter? I did not think l should startle
you so greatly
1T is not that" she said, in low
voice; Il had forgotten
How was she to tell him? She grew
faint and sick with despair. How was
she to tell him that she, so young, was
married already, and that the husband
she had welded in such secrecy and
haste was a common felon? Twice her
white lips opened, but all sound died
upon them.
When she was sufficiently composed,
she said, sadly:
Sir Oscar, I am grateful for your
love, for your kindenss, but can never
be your wife"
Her voice was so altered that he
hardly recognized it; all the music
seemed to have died out Of it.
MY dearest Ethel, that is neat
little speech-one that you have evil
IDENTIFY learned by heart; but I refuse
for one moment to believe that you
mean it, or that you intend to be so
cruel to me-you could not
Il am sorry" she faItered; "but in
deed it is true; I cannot marry you,
Sir Oscar"
'Oh, Ethel, you are saying it to try
me! You cannot be in earnest, my
beautiful Lowell"
1T is true" said the girl. "Sir
Oscar, I love you, but I can never be
your wife, because I have a secret in
my life"
GA secret, Ethel" he repeated. He
looked at the pale, beautiful face, with
it's sad, sweet lips and tender eyes, II
should not care, my darling, if you had
five hundred. Oh, Ethel trust me; you
are young and inexperienced, ard what
you deem OF moment may be nothing
after all. l am quite sure Of enc thing
there can be nothing in your beauti-
full, pure young life to unfit you to be
my wife,
Thank you for your generous trust
in me-" she responded; but my secret
will prevent my marrying you"
will you trust me with it," he
asked, anxiously. mot that | would
know it from idle curiosity, but that l
might help you, Ethel"
you cannot help me. l must bear
my sorrow alone until die. I cling
to your esteem. I cannot tell vCu my
secret. Be generous, and do not ask
me to do So"
L would stake my existence on your
goodness. Ethel. If you yourself told
NE, | would not believe that you had
done wrong. would never believe but
that you are the purest and best, even
as you are the most beautiful, of wo-
men,"
That depends on what you call
wrong, I cannot tell you what I did
| will not tell you my secret. did not
do wrong willingly. l was young,
foolish, blind"
Ethel, my darling, if you would
but trust mel" he cried.
Il do trust you, but cannot tell you
my secret. 1 can never be your wife,
Sir Oscar. The gulf that parts US is
one that nothing can bridge over. 1t
is deeper and darker than death"
Then, Ethel" he demanded, in a
voice full of anguish, 'do you mean
that I, with my heart and soul full of
love for you-with my whole life de-
pending on you-do you mean that
am to go away from you, and never
see you again?"
To be Continued.