Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-17
ThornS and Orange Blossoms.
AUTHOR OF
ROMANCE OF A YOUNG Girl.

ut 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 |
false name and is hiding, you must |
ask yourself what is the motive
He can have no motive" replied |
Violet; therefore l say it is untrue"
'sYou 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 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.
II 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
disguise-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.
81 had better tell you,'' she replied,
though l know you will be angry.
cannot help it. You ought to know;
you must know. When a 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, end as secure as
though l had been a queen"
'"Then is has been a foolish thing to
make all this mystery about it" said
Mrs. Carstone. "One thing is quite
certain-your 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. I 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 as it
should be, why need your marriage
have been performed so privately?
do not say there is anything wrong
but I do think appearances are so
much against you that those who have
the tTueSt 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"
81 beg your pardon" rejoined Mrs.
Carstone, 1--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. If you will give
him authority, he will sift the matter
for you, and will give himself just as
much trouble as if you were his own
| daughter"
"You are very kind" said Violet,
proudly; "but l need no assistance; /
have my husband. Nothing will ever
shake my faith in him.
LET me find Mr.. Carstone. and then
he can advise you,'' said Mrs. Car
stone. eve have been talking about
+, you all the morning. ! assure you that
! our only anxiety is to serve you
Il am grateful to you. My husband
will serve me. No. you need not send
for either Mr.. Carstone or your son.
was startled when you spoke to me
at first; I have recovered from my
surprise. My trust is in my husband.
[ feel sure the whole story is a mis-
take-a case of mistaken identity, |
should think
Il am afraid you will not find it so.'
II shall go to my husband at once"
continued Violet, needless of the inter-
ruption. 81 have never heard him
speak one false word. | will repeat
to him all that you have told me. and
ask him to let me know the truth. He
will not deceive me-" She was
Fastening away, when she turned sud- |
denly to Mrs. Carstone. Whatever /
happens she added, II must thank |
you. You have done what you
thought kind and wise You mean
to befriend me. but I am sure their is
mistake" She raised her head with
the proud gesture of an insulted
nuAQn NI Chan ac1 To tall |