Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16
Continued.

.uef u lISuL IOI Tie LuLul C.
She would ask him to go away. If
he was so poor in fortune as he seemed
to be from the fact Of his having
sought the situation OF gamekeeper,
she would give him money. She had
plenty Of that; she would give him
enough to live on in comfort, provided
only that he did not come near her
that he kept the secret and allowed her
TO live in peace. If he would do that
then herfate would not be so terribleas
she had once dreaded. Then she
might live through the long years until
death released her or released him
without happiness, it was true, but
without such shame and sorrow as
might have fallen to her lot
And this" she thought, lis the END
of my life, the life that | once filled
with such bright visions, with such
glowing hopes; the end of it all is
hard-won peace. l can ask no more"
She was greatly relieved She had
dreaded what her husband might do
that he might claim her as his wife
that he might make her story public
that he might shame her before the
whole world. All this fear was ended
now.
The humbIed, sorrowful man, who
had knelt at her feet to implore her
pardon, would never wrong her again.
More peace came to her than had been
hers for some time. The restless face
grew calmer, the Swallowed eyes were
bright.
I shall come to the end of my
troubles soon" she thought, "and
then | shall have nothing to do but
live out my life in patience, thankful
to have escaped a worse fate"
It was not the most brilliant end to
life that had once seemed so full Of
hope, but she must be content
That evening another shock came to
her During dinner Lord Leighton
said that on the morrow he expected q
visitor-a brave soldier, whose name
was wreathed in laurels, a traveller
whose researches were most valuable.
He turned suddenly to Lord st. Nor
man.
And if remember rightly" he
added my visitor is an old friend of
yours. He does not know you are
here, so it will be an additional pleas
ure to him to meet you"
Who is it," asked Lord st. Norman.
carelessIy.
But the careIessness all vanished
when he heard the name.
Sir Oscar Charlotte"
He looked quickly at his daughter.
She had heard it, too. He saw the
color die out of her face, and an eX-
preston of startled fear come over it.
Sir Oscar" he repeated. SLOWLY:
an. yes, he is one of my most valued
friends. But l understand that he was
in Egypt. VII, has he returned to
England?"
1T was time he did" said Lord
Leighton. f never could understand
why he left the country. We want
such men at home. He is returning. I
believe, because the borough of Weston
is vacant, and he has been asked to sit
for it.
He will go into Parliament, then? I
am glad of that" said Lord st. Nor
man.
tie was wondering in his own mind
what Ethel would say, and how She
would like to see her lover.
Sir Oscar comes tomorrow morn
ing. observed Lord Leighton. 81 have
invited several people 70 meet him at
dinner. He will stay | hope. for some
weeks. He is distant relative of
NINE, and | consider that I have the
first claim upon him"
Then some one asked if he was
married. Lord Leighton Iaughingly
answered no-that Sir Oscar seemed
afraid of ladies; he had never heard Of
his caring for one.
Again Lord st. Norman stole a look
at his daughter; her face was white as
death. He tried to turn the converse
uon. SO that she should have a chance
to recover herself
But Ethel could not for some time
get over the shock She had borne
her sorrow patiently, believing that
she sould never see Sir Oscar again
Their farewell she believed. had been
Tor all times, and now suddenly, with
scant warning, she was to see him
agaiH
II he knew l was here" she said to
herself, Il am quite sure he would not
come
She dreaded meeting him-dreaded
it, yet longed for it with an intense
desire.
1T seems like cruel irony" she
unused, that l should meet both of
them here-the man who has married
and blighted my life, and the man
whom I love. If I had read of such a
meeting in any novel, I should have
thought 1t too strange even to be true.
1t was cruel trick of fortune"
It had to be borne; she was growing
accustomed to silent. brave endurance.
She said TO herself that fear and hope
alike were useless; she had to bear her
lot, and there was no use in murmur-
ing.
Lady st. Norman, looking at the
beautiful, thoughtful face, said:
Ethel, shall you like meeting Sir
Oscar again?"
1T cannot be helped" Ethel replied. |
eyasively. 1T will be a great pleasure |
to papa | know, and l am glad that he |
has returned to England"
He is not married, you see,' said |
Lady ST. Norman.
No. acknowledged the girl. calmly. |
he is not married; and. for his own |
sake, l am inclined to think it is |
almost a misfortune for him