Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-01-17
8 1horns and Orange Blossoms.
AZ BY THE AUTHOR OF
81 ROMANCE OF A YOUNG GIRL
Observation-Disclosures
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Mrs. Carstone had finished her recital.
He has been deceived by Mr.. Ran
| dolph's resemblance to some one else
| he knows. Such thing frequently
| happens 1t is easier for me to be-
lieve every man in the world mistaken
than to doubt the honor and integrity
of my own husband" And at that
moment while she was defending him.
she cared more for him than she had
ever done. THE more | think Of it."
she said. the more sure feel that
am right My husband would never
| have won me by fraud"
; Mrs. Carstone looked at her with
profound pity. How little she sus.
pected even what might possibly
await herl
1T was out of their true liking and
affection for you that my husband and
son desire that you should understand
your position. If it be true that your
husband has married you in secret
fashion, tina. he is living here under a
false name and is hiding, you must
ask yourself what is the motive"
He can have no motive" replied
Violet; therefore say it is untrue"
you will be compelled to believe
what have told you on proper author.
ity," said Mrs. Carstone ASK your
self why your husband should live in
such seclusion. There must be a rea-
son for it; there must be a reason for
his avoidance Of all English people"
Il will not believe it," reiterated
Violet
Yet, when she remembered how he
had in all truth avoided mixing in
English society, her heart sunk.
Il must tell you frankly" continued
Mrs. Carstone, seeing that hints and
illusions were all in vain, that my
husband and my son are afraid for
you"
Afraid of WHAT" asked her COM
panion, wonderingly.
And the kindly woman, who had
found her task so much more difficult
that she had expected. shrunk from
the flash of the glorious eyes.
When rich young nobleman
hides his rank and his name. assumes
a disguse-acts, in fact as your hus-
band has acted-there is but one in
depreciation to be placed upon his
conduct"
"And what is that?" asked Violet,
so proudly that Mrs. Carstone was al
most afraid to answer.
II had better tell you" she replied,
though | know you will be angry. |
cannot help it. You ought to know
you must know. When man acts as
your husband has acted. the inference
is that either he is not married at all,
or that his marriage is not legal.
Any one who heard the story would
form the same opinion"
1t was the white heat of rage that
changed the beautiful face of the wo-
man who listened into something al
most too terrible to behold. Yet she
controlled herself. though her lips
were white, and quivered as she
spoke.
do you mean to tell me-" she said,
that any one lives who dares throw
the least shadow of doubt on my mar
riage?"
my dear Mrs. Randolph, you must
be calm and listen. Every one who
hears your story will draw the same
conclusion that we have done"
Then the world is a vile wicked
place, and the people In it are vile
and wicked, too. My marriage was as
legal, as honorable, and as secure as
though | had been a queen"
Then is has been foolish thing to
make all this mystery about it," said
Mrs. Carstone. "One thing is quite
certain vour husbands friends know
nothing of it, They have. If all be
true that / hear. very different views
for him. You know. of course. that
there are some formalities in the mar
riages of noblemen under age. | can
not tell what they are-I only know
that they exist and it is Just possible
that in your case they have not been
complied with"
"Why should any one think that?
Why suspect it?'
Because of the mystery" replied
Mrs. Carstone. IF all were az il
should be. why need your marriage
have been performed so privately? I
do not say there is anything wrong
but do think appearances are so
much against you that those who have
the tfuest interest in you should make
inquiries, and see that all is right"
mo one is interested in me-" said
Violet, except my Aunt Alice; and
she is far away"
Il beg your pardon" rejoined Mrs
Carstone, we are all interested in you
my husband, my SON. and myself
We are your true friends; we would
do anything to serve you. My hus-
band was most indignant when he
heard what an imposition had been
practiced upon you. II you will give
him authority. he will sift the matter
for you, and win give himself Just as
much trouble as If you we're his own
daughter
"You are very kind 4" said Violet