Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-04-25

and her high courage, her proud world
ly spirit gave way little when she
saw the expression of his face. Had
she gone too far?
Lord RIVERS walked up to her and
laid the letter before her. She had
seen nothing like his white, set face
and his flashing eyes before.
'eWill you read that and tell me if
IL be true?" he said.
! She took it from him without a
word, and she read it steadily from
beginning to end. If her nerves were
giving way, he should not know it.
He had expected to see fear, regret,
remorse in her face; but she merely
smiled, and his anger grew to white
heat when he saw the smile.
''She annul the marriage! wish to
Heaven she could" was her comment.
Randolph, cannot imagine why you
married that girl; | am sure she
never loved you"
81 loved her enough to make up for
any DEFICIENCIES on her part" he re-
| piled. us that letter true?"
ut is true, inasmuch as / wrote to
] the lawyers and by some absurd mis-
take the answer was carried to her.
You knew that | should write: | told
you So"
"Yes, but not in that fashion. l
thought you intended to make certain
that my marriage was without flaw.
Do you believe that | am so little
worth the name of man as to think
lightly of woman's honor? My wife
is all the world to me; my love, my
care, my interests begin and end with
her. You have made the most fatal
mistake in your life, mother If you
had welcomed her here, II you had
been kind. gentle, and affectionate,
you would have won my eternal graft
tude; as it is, you have my eternal re-
proach. You might have helped me to
be the happiest man in the world, and
you have gone out of your way TO
make me the most miserable. Do
you think anything on earth could
make me love Violet less-could
separate me from herr"
'She has not shown much desire to
remain with you; she has been quick
enough to avail herself of an excuse to
leave you"
That is your fault" he replied.
''Reproaches are all in vain, but some
are due to you. do not wish to re-
mind you that perhaps no mother has
had her own way more entirely than
you have. | have been good son to
you; | have complied with every wish
of yours. My lands and revenues
have been yours; you have done as
you would Ny house has been yours,
and your presence was always most
welcome. Whenever you have ex-
pressed wish to me. have fastened
to carry it out. And this is my re-
ward--you have driven my wife from
me-"
Il repeat that she seemed very
willing to co." said her ladyship.
she has taken the first pretext offer
ed to her. No man ought to marry
out of his own sphere; it is a mistake
that must be rectifed sooner or later.
/ grieve that your life is laid waste
by that proud, willful, plebeian girl"
He looked at her steadily.
You have said your say, mother;
hear mine. You have driven my wife
away from me. will go too. and
will not look on your face again until
| have found her"
The proud face paled a little. and an
odd, wistful look came into the fine
eyes.
Il will not believe" said her lady
ship, haughtily, that the love of any
woman can part my son from me-"
You have made me desperate: you
have driven me mad. You have
robbed my life of all that was best
and brightest in It.; you have taken
from me my chief treasure, you can do
what you viii with the rest. | will
never retur TO Ryversdale. will
never look upon your face again until
| have found my wife: and, If | never
md her. this is our eternal farewell"
Sac rose with a troubled face. She
could not part so with her son whom
she loved better that her life.
Randolph" she said, hurriedly.
49, -'NSt ehiuh utlttE vi IulS, you
must not leave me in this fashion"
I could not stay; could never
look on you again. mother, knowing
what you have done to my wife. |
shall leave now, at once. and you may
do as you will with Ryversdale. I
could not stay where have been ac.
eustomed TO see her; ii would wear
my heart away. Make what excu so
You viii, say what you will, the whole
truth, IL YOU like--it will be best. far
best--aeither home, . sisters. nor
mother will | see again until | have
found my wife. Tell them so from
me-"
The proud figure trembled, the
proud face quivered.
Randolph" she cried, imperiously.
Il forbid you to go, You owe me the
respect and obedience due from a son
TO his mother, and by it | command
you to stay here"
you nave failed In your duties,
mother; you must forgive me II. in my
turn, | fail in mine"