Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-01-04
CHAPTER XIX.

Gently and nOiselessly they went up
the broad staircase that led to Ismays
room. They passed the marble stat
ues that cleaned palely between the
costly hangings, the rare pictures that
adorned the walls. Paul looking on
the magnificent display, thought to
himself, 1T was for this she deserted
me, and sold my love"
Then the bitterness died out of his
heart. She was dying, and he was 60
ing to her to forgive her.
Lord Carlswood pointed to the door
Of her room.
You had better go in alone" he
said, and Paul, turning the handle,
quietly went in.
He never forgot the scene, the bright
sunshine came in, softened and sub
dued through the shade of the rose
cOlOred blinds; the room itself was
magnifcently furnished-eyery lux
ury, comfort was there: the sunbeams
fell on the bed with it's low hangings
and on the white, worn beautiful face
that seemed to bear the very impress
Paul entered it, and he kneIt down by
the bedside. Ismay had fallen into
restless, troubled sleep, and as he
watched her all the burning anger, the
bitter vengeance cherished through so
many long years, died away. He for
got the preSent-he forgot the agony
of those ten yearS-he remembered
only the beautiful girl he had wooed
and won-the lovely young wife he had
WOrshiped; he thought Of all her bright
graceful ways; and now she lay dying
they said. She was so young when
they tempted her away, and they had
tempted her through her love of all
that was beautiful and luxurious She
had not left him for anCther-had new
er given one thought to any other;
frail and feeble as her love was, she
had given it all to him. And now she
lay dying-never to give her love to
any one again. Was it true, as she
said, that her woman's soul was only
just awakened? 1t might be.
And in the awakening she turned
to me-" he said-"no one else but me. "
What she must have suffered to be
brought so near death because he
would not forgive her! How she must
have loved him after ALL Her whole
heart must have yearned for him.
Was it not through love of him that
she lay diving? AS he thought of that,
the last remnant of pride and anger
died out Of his heart How she must
have loved him!-He remembered that
and nothing else. He bent down and
kissed the thin white hand
When he raised his face she was
looking at him-the sad sweet eyes
were fixed on his face She did not
seem surprised to see him.
PAUL" she whispered Am
dreaming?''
my darling" he said, gently, clasp
ing her in his arms, you are not
dreaming. I am here to love you, to
win you back to life, and to make you
so happy that we shall both forget the
wretched past"
| He raised her, and the beautiful
wan face dropped on his breast. She
but they fell weak and helpless by her
side.
Put my arms around your neck,
! darling" she whispered: land, if |
| have to die, let me die So
! Tears were raining down his face
her weakness touched him as her
beauty never could have done
You shall not die, sweet" he said,
'if the strength of a mighty love can
bring you back to life"
Then, kneeling by her side, holding
her tightly clasped in his arms, he
told her the story of his love and his
sorroW-of his life since he had lost
her
She was as happy as lost child to
| its mothers arms.
How strong love is" she whis-
cred to him. Il feel that while you
love me so dearly it cannot die"
He soothed her with the long-silent
music of loving words, until the sweet
eyes grew heavy, and then she said
Paul, you will not leave me if I
sleep? Let me wake and find you here -
| Waking, she found him there. and
his love did for her what the doctor
had said human skill could not dot
brought her back to life.
| Once. as Paul was sitting talking to
her she held her left hand up TO him
with a smile. It was thin and shad-
owy.
Look she said! my ring is getting
too large for me-" He kissed the white
hand and the gold ring. She smiled.
Paul" she said gently who would
think there was such a story attached
to my wedding ring?"
Ismay recovered, and when she was
once more herself Lord Carlswood de-
clared that he would interfere no