Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-26
Continued.

mean IL, uedr, Sne Sdlu, gently,
sit must be soft cannot be helped"
Not even if it breaks my heart,
Ethel?"
mot 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, slken
folds of her dress, and a silence that
was full Of pain fell over them. When
he raised his face again 1t was color
less as her own, with great lines of
pain round the firm lips
How cruel women arel" he cried.
The fairest among them are more
cruel than the boy who cages bird
and then tortures it to death. Ethel,
you knew that loved you, and you
took my heart in your hands only to
break it. Oh, cruel-cruel and cold!"
Nay, Oscar!" she interrupted II
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. / did not know
you loved mel did not know that /
loved you; | thought that we were only
dear, true friends. / never meant to
love any one; the knowledge came on
me as shock or terrible surprise. but
1t came too late. You believe me, Os-
car do you not?'
My poor child-my poor Ethel, for
give me If ! seemed to upbraid you.
Darling, would rather love you, and
loVa x,ntt In, xat, than MD, tba ,,c,4o,4
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 land
you must not lead him to suppose that
there is one, Oscar. He will think l
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 1t was all her fault-all her
fault-and that she was most bitterly
punished for her sin.
Ethel was the first to recover herself.
Sir Oscar was like one stunned by
sudden blow; Ethel's 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. that |
would have borne anything rather than
have inflicted this pain upon you. /
did not mean It, VIII you forgive me?
The only pleasant memory can carry
with me through life is that you have
forgiven me-"
II have nothing to forgive" he re-
turned gently. II 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?"
II must: there is no alternative.
send you from me in time, that may
meet you in eternity. might have de-
ceived you, and have done wrong: but
I for me- / shall bear the pain of my
life as bravely as can
"You are so good, Ethel" he moaned. |
II am sure you have done no wrong"
And then he looked at her white face. |
"What am | to do. Ethel How am |
to bear my life?"
She thought OF his own words in |
India, and longed to repeat them.
II must bear II. too" he continued:
but II is the heaviest sorrow man |
ever had to bear. Ethel, do you mean |
that | am to 20 back to Lord st. |
Norman. tell him that 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 II you
will tell my father. He win be angry
and disappointed, but It cannot be
helped"
IL 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 am to whisper loving words
TO you?"
"yes, 1t is the last time" she an
swered.
ethel" he said. suddenly. make
me one promise-that, II you ever
want help. you will send for me. !
! win not ask again what your secret is
--if you could. you would tell me.
But IL ever there comes time when /
can helm you--when strong right
arm. an earnest will, devoted heart
may be OF service TO you-you viii
send for me?'
Il WILL" she said.
Another request, my darling-f
lie dying and send for you, viii you
come to bid me fareweil?'
without fall" she promised. ..
MAY write to you, Ethel, he
asked--"not often, but sometimes, SO
that / may hear from yourself that
Won are living and well?'
ut will be better not. Try to forget