Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-30
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BERTHA NJ CLAY. Is
BERTHA M. CLAY.
Concluded.

said nothing. I have kissed it when
all the diamoD1s. all the wealth Of
his world wcu,d have been yalueless.
l have priced it as kings do their
crown as misers their gold. Do you
know what the contents are, Ethel?"
She looked 1T the withered, faded,
dried leaves.
NO" she replied gently, Il do not. V
Those are the pass. on-fowers that
you held in your hand as bridal
bouquet on the morning We were
married Ethel they are no more
faded and 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 it's stained-gIass windows,
the altar where she had stood in the
varying lights, the passiCn-fowers thar
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. q remember how
grieved I felt at the tima-h0W the
sight of them filed me with dismay,
but they were we'll chosen-they we're
tokens of what was to follow. Roses
would have been uniting for my
bride. Oh Ethel, they are not so dead
or so faded, dear, as my hopes. You
will see that thov gre buried with me-
Promise. Ethel"
Il promise" she replied, but her
voice was ala-oSt inaudible.
Then he seemed suddenly to become
aware of Sir Oscars presence. He
looked at him long and earnestly
"Ethel," 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 l 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
a noble, fearless face-the face of 4
good and noble man. Is it he whom
you love, Ethel?"
Yes" she replied; q loved him and
parted from him"
ain Sldu JlldJ lie Is mere.
He turned his dying face to Sir
Oscar.
Il am glad that you have come" he
said your presence will shield Ethel
from all harm, from all comment.
May | 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 l saw her. and she was so
beautiful that | loved her at once with
love that has lasted my life, and will
end only with my death. | tempted
her. l saw that she was proud, and on
her wounded pride, her wounded love |
played skillfuIly. Ethel never loved
me- | fattered her, l studied every
weakness of her character. and made
them all subservient to my designs.
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 I deceived her.
She was young, simple, innocent as a
child, and l worked upon her through
her faults and tempted her through her
pride 7 did her so great a wrong in
marrying her that deserve the bit
terest punishment and | have had it.
You will not let Ethel suffer for my
sin?"
Sir Oscar bent over him, with
kindHest pity on his face. L believe
you he said, earnestly. 4 am sure
that the fair, sweet girl we have both
Ioved is free from blame. 1t will make
your death-bcd happier if l tell you
something else. I will do all I can to
make 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 mos desire-make her happy.
\ 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 noble man. You are g
nobleman." he repeated, family, "anG
am glad that she will be happy
There is no more jealousy or envy LEFT
in me: it is all dead I shall die the
more easily for knowing what I do
Life is sweet to us ALL but am pleased
that I can die and leave her free"
Then his hand relaxed its hold.
Ethel, Ethel" he cried, the rive
runs on so swiftly and so dark; it /:
here-up to my lips. VIII you benz
down and kiss my face once-onl!
once, before I die, for my great loves
sake?"
She looked up at Sir Oscar.
shall l do What he wishes?'' he
eyes seemed to ask.
He answered her, gravely:
Eyes; it is for the last time. Ethel.
She laid her fresh, warm lips on hi
already so cold and numb.
My beautiful queen!" he murmured
my hearts love! Oh, Ethel, Ethe'
hold me! The water is here-it
overwhelming me-"
Then the feeble grasp relaxed, tn
head fell back. and he had fallen int
the dark river that was to bear him t
the eternal shores.
Gle is dead, Ethel" said Sir Osca
gently; ''let me take you away nov
dear"
OF her own accord she bent over hill
again. and kissed the cold brow-h
had lover her so dearly. She laid tn
withered flowers on his breast, an
then turned away.
"Good-by, LAUREL she said, viii
the tears fell from her eyes; "goot