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

Ethel heard the words; they were |
like q terrible shock to her-I.ke
sudden blow Presently she rallied |
herself. There were many keepers.
How could she tell which one had been |
shot?
She heard Lord Leighton saying:
Il did not intend 10 mention it dur
ing dinner; but, as you have already
heard the news, l may say it is quite
true
One of the keepers shot in the
woods! Some one offered Ethel wine.
and she drank it mechanically.
Which Of the men was it?' asked a
gentleman.
THE one I was speaking OF the
other day-the well educated one. l
fancy there was some little mystery
about him. They tell me that after he
was shot he called necessarily some
Woman's name"
How did it happen?" asked another.
Very simply. He was carrying a
loaded gun. and the trigger caught in a
bush. 1t went off, and shot MIN
through the lungs"
MY cousin was shot in the same
way" said a visitor. is the poor man
dead, Lord Leighton?"
mo. | sent for all the doctors far
and near; but though they do not quite
agree as to the mode of treatment, they
all tell me the same thing-he has
not twenty-four hours to live
Has he all that he requires?" asked
Lady Leighton.
Yes. But I am sure there is 4
mystery about the man. He has lived
in different position-he has been in
different circumstances He has tried
very eagerly to say something to me,
but could not"
What is his name?" asked Sir Oscar
Charlotte; and Lord Leighton replied:
His name is John Smith, but I have
my own reasons for thinking that is
only assumed. | am very sorry for
him. An accident of that kind is
| always terrible"
There is no hope for him, then, ="
said Sir Oscar, pityingly.
mot the least in the world" was the
reply. HE maybe will, in all
probability-rally, but it will not be
| for long"
There was a sudden cry. a sudden
commotion. The beautiful Miss ST..
Norman had tainted, and had fallen
from her seat to the floor They
FASTENED to raise her. Sir Oscar look
ed at the death-like face.
ct is the heat of the ROOM" said
one.
Another suggested that it was owing
to the long mornings drive. No one
guessed that the news just told could
have any interest for Lord st. Nor
mans proud, beautiful daughter.
She was taken to her room, and
kindly hands tended her. Lady St.
Norman did not leave her until the
color had returned to her face and she
was able to sit up. Then Ethel begged
that she might be left alone.
Il am not ILL., she said-"believe me,
Helen; but am tired, and I would so
much rather be left quite alone"
| To please her, Lady st. Norman went
away; and Ethel was left to her
thoughts. They were all choas, all
confusion. She could not disentangle
them; she could only remember, as she
sat there, that Laurie, who had been a
forger and a thief-Laurie, who had
married her, lay dying, and that she
had refused to pardon him.
Would he keep their secret, or, in the
agony of death, would he reveal it?
She was almost Indifferent, the shock
Of the accident was so terrible to her.
She would have parted from him on
| the morrow; she would lave sent him
away to the other end of the world.
never to see him again; but there was
something terrible in the turn which
things had now taken.
AS she sat there some one gently
| opened the door. Her maid entered,
| bearing in her hand a small folded
paper.
Can speak to you for a moment
miss she asked. "One of the men
has just given we this. The keeper
who met with the accident this morn
ing has sent it; and, thinking it may
be about money, brought it to you at
once"
You did right" said Ethel. 1T will
be better not to mention it," and the
maid, thinking that it was an applica-
ton for money made by the sick man,
not only promised but kept her word.
Ethel opened the letter eagerly-the
last she was ever to have from him.
1t was with difficulty she could de-
cipher the words. 1t was simply:
l am dying Ethel. Dear. I cannot
die without your pardon. have loved
you too much. Come to me for a few
minutes; stand by me, look at me with
your calm eyes, and say, I forgive you.
Laurie and then can die in peace
If you refuse, shall not find rest in
my grave"
To be continued.