Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-06-11
CHAPTER XVI

I CHAPTER XVI.
It was all over the two friends had
met, and the meeting had been less
terrible than Dolores had feared. It
touched her greatly to see the diff
ference that years had made in the
stately figure and handsome face of
Lady Fielder. Her hair was white as
snow, and deep lines marked the fair
face
81 suffered much when my husband
died." she said, .fand it has changed
me greatly; but you, Dolores-I ex-
pected to find you grown old. Why,
my dear, you look as young as-oh,
and far more beautiful than-when
you left US sixteen years ago! Dolores,
it was very cruel, because | loved you
500
81 could not remain" returned
Dolores. eff [ had not severed myself
from everything and every one con-
nected with the past, | must have
died: and I had my two children for
whom to live. I could not help it,
Lady Fielden l did not want any hui
man being to see how suffered. You
must forgive me. I have always
thought of you with faithful love and
affection"
II do forgive you; but it is time
this unnatural state of things was
ended. Your children must take their
place in the world
'But," said Dolores, you forget
that the shadow of their fathers sin
will rest upon them, no matter how
beautiful or how good they are; peo-
pie will point to my bright, beautiful
Gertrude as the daughter of the man
who deserted his wife and home"
do you suppose that the world will
be so unjust as to visit the sins of the
father on the Children
81 know it WILL" answered Dolores.
"You must not take so dishearten-
ing view of the matter said her
friend.
"Ah, Lady Fielder, you know am
right! Think of my Gertrude, so
beautiful and high-spirited and proud!
Suppose that she went out into the
world; men would admire her, but
who would marry her, not knowing
whether her father was living or dead,
whether he was disgrace to society
or not?"
Hundreds of men would love her
for her own sweet sake, and marry
her, Notwithstanding the past" re-
joined Lady Fielden, quietly. Then
there is Kathleen; what need to keep
her in seclusion? So far as can see.
she has nothing whatever to do with
the matter; no disgrace can in any
way be reflected on her. 1t would be
a most cruel injustice to keep her in
ignorance of her real position
81 have never intended to do SO, be-
when Kathleen came of age I must
tell her the whole story
"I consider" said Lady Fielder,
that ever since your mothers death,
Dolores, have been your best friend;
and now, my dear, I tell you very
must take your own place in society,
and give the children theirs
Il cannot" said Dolores. "You do
not understand. l have had no life
or energy, or spirit since he left me-"
"Ah, Dolores, it was mystery; for
he loved you! We will talk more about
it before we leave; we shall remain in
Florence for a month at least, and l
shall come every day to see YOU
AS time passed on, Lord and Lady
Fielder seemed almost to live at the
Villa Baira. Harry had his wish, and
| took the young girls, with his mother
as chaperon, to see all the beauties of
Florence. And very happy days they
! were, save in one respect-Gertrude
appeared so frequently to be preoc-
cupied. She was longing to begin
what she had grown to consider the
work of her life.
A month passed, and letters arrived
recalling the young nobleman to Eng
land; business affairs on his estate
required his attention and presence.
They were all together in the vine
walk when Lord Fielder told them
this. Dolores looked sad; she did
not like the idea of losing the friends
with whom che had hnnn eo hannV