Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-24

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dreaded it. What could it be but a
loving summons home, where they
longed to receive her, where they
longed to lay her wearied head down
to rest, to comfort the tired heart, to
heal the deep wounds, to raise the
dropping spirits?
They sent her more money than she
could use, and babe her come quickly
home.
1t is terrible thing when the death
OF one man brings happiness to an
other. 1t was so, however. Of course,
the squire was sorry. He spoke pity
ingly Of the useless, reckless life and
the cruel death. Yet that death freed
his darling from tyranny and oppres-
sion; it rescued her from poverty, Ia
Dor, cruelty and misery, and restored
her to those who loved her so WELL
They spoke of him now in low whis-
pers; they deplored the fate of one who
might have been better and hap
pier man; but they rejoiced that she
was restored to them for whom their
hearts yearned.
What Sir Rupert thought when he
heard the news, no one ever knew; but
the squire saw his very youth seem
renewed.
One warm, sunny evening, at the end
of May, they expected her home. It
was six years since she had left them
so artfully lured away. The squire
would have gone to Liverpool to meet
the vessel, but Irene, fearful for him,
persuaded him to remain at home. His
state of mind was something pitiable
to see; three times he had wandered
into her rooms, all ready for her, to
see if all was as it should be.
There was to be no difference he
said, tremblingly, mo difference at all.
She must find everything just as she
had left it."
Dinner was delayed for her; he
would have it so. He would have had
all the world do honor to his darling,
who was coming back to him.
Good taste, and not inclination, in
duced Sir Rupert to keep away. He
felt instinctively that the first sight of
him might be painful to her; and al
though he hungered and thirsted for
one look at the face he loved so we'll,
he would not go near. Irene prom
ised to write, to send him word how
she looked, what she said and all about
her. With that promise he was con-
tent.
Irene almost longed to send clocks
and watches away; the squire did moth
ing but wander from one to another,
comparing them, and declaring they
were all slow.
She was to be there by seven. At
SIX Irene persuaded him to sit down
and rest, while she read something
from the Times to him. He took his
favorite chair by the window; it was
open now, and the bright sunlight fell
upon beds of gorgeous flowers; roses
came pressing in, giving fragrant mes
sages; the tall lilies quivered while
from their golden breasts; the sweet
mignonette filled the south wind with
it's idors, and the squire, while he lis,
tened looked at the fair beauty of
earth and sky.
They did not hear the sound of car
riage wheels, for she babe them take
her to the back of the house; they did
not notice the modest ring at the great
gates; they heard and saw nothing I'M
TIL the drawing room door opened, and
tall, slight figure, dressed in deep
mourning, entered
1t was the squire who turned round,
hearing the rustic of woman's dress.
He started from his chair with a cry
those who heard never forgot.
My God, my God! is that my child?"
She was by his side in moment,
kneeling at his feet, her head bowed
IN shame and sorrow, begging, pray
ing that he would pardon her, for God
had punished her sin-praying that he
would love her, for her heart was
breaking.
He raised her in his arms, and
turned her face to the summer light
Could it be Sybil-the bright, beau
tiful, charming child, who had ever
been fairy to him? This wom IS
white face had no youth, and Re
beauty. The violet eyes were QWh,
as though burning tears had washed
away the light and color; the lips were
pale that had once been like scarlet
japonica buds-pale, with lines of sor-
row round them; the patient face was
worn and thin, grave and hopeless;
even the sheen had gone from her
golden hair.
AS he looked, bitter words rose to
the old mans lips; he would not utter
them, lest they pain her. With gen.
tie hands he removed the heavy bonnet
and cloak, then took the slight figure
in his arms, shuddering to find how
light and fragile it was, and laid her
down upon the couch
Irene came and knelt by her side