Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-08-30
Repented at Leisure. |
BERTHA M. CLAY.
Concluded.


They have been to prison with me, y
he said They have been over the
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.
l 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, Il do not. -
Those are the passion-hoWers that
you held in your hand as bridal
bouquet cl the morning we were
married Ethel; they are no more
faded All dead than my hopes
AS he spoke, the whole scene with its
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-fowers thai
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. Il remember how
grieved | felt at the time--how the
sight OF them filed me with dismay,
but they We're well chosen-they were
tokens of what was to follow. Roses
would have been uniting for my
bride Oh Ethel they are not 50 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.
'Elthel," he said. place those poor
dead flowers on my breast, and let me
hold your hands in mine. 1t is 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 u
good and noble man. Is it he whom
you love. Ethel?'
Eyes" she replied; 81 loved him and
parted from him"
Il am glad that he is here"
He turned his dying face to Sir
Oscar.
81 am glad that you have come he
said. Your presence will shield Ethel
from all harm, from all comment.
May l 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 vas proud, and on
her wounded pride, her wounded love
played skillfully. Ethel never loved
me. | battered her, ! studied every
weakness of her character. and made
them all subservient to my designs. l
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 4
child, and | worked upon her through
her faults and tempted her through her
pride. | did her so great wrong in
ma rr-r n 1 q
terest punishment. and have had It,
You will not let Ethel suffer for my
SIM"
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 viii make
your death-bed happier if l tell you
something else. | viii do ali l can to
mako 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!" he said.
you are a noble man. You are
nobeman" he repeated, family, "and
I am glad that she Will be happy
There is no more jealousy or envy LETT
in me; It Is all dead. | shall die the
more easily for knowing what l do.
Life is sweet to us all, but l am pleased
that can die and leave her free"
Then his hand relaxed its hold.
Ethel, Ethel'' he cried the river
runs on so swiftly and SO dark: II is
here-up to my lips VIII you bend
down ana kiss my face once-only
once. before die. for my great loves
sake?"
She looked UP at Sir Oscar.
shall | do what he wishes2' her
Z yes seemed ~ ask.