Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-09

his attentions; Dut, aIteT time, she
grew restless-nothing more than that
restless in body and mind. She
could not remain long in one place
She wandered from room to room
from house to grounds; from field tC
forest; she wandered tOn the terraces
in the picture-galleries; there was
never any peace or rest on her beauti
full face. 1t was the same with all her
employments. If she sat down to the
piano, she rose in a few minutes to
find book; if she took a volume, and
Mrs. Carstone thought she was going
to read, the book would be laid down
or exchanged for something else.
'Ts it her heart or her conscience?'
the kindly lady asked herself. She
could not possibly think she had
done right; yet she seemed to be up
held by some lofty sense of pride.
do you never think about your
husband?" Mrs. Carstone asked her
one night.
Eyes, of course / do" she replied
do you miss him?" her friend
pursued.
Il do not wish to speak about him, %
Violet answered, quietly.
HE must be very unhappy" said
Mrs. Carstone; che loved you so dear
ly. And he does not even know
where you are. He must be in great
suspense and Distress
81 wish cried Violet, impatiently,
"you would not talk about him! Do
let me forget him; you give me no
chance. You mean kindly, l know,
but it irritates me-
Because, my DEAR" said Mrs. Car
stone, with great complacency, your
conscience is not at ease"
When she was alone Violet began
to reflect on those words. Was Ran
dolph miserable? Was he in sus-
pense? Was he always thinking of
her and wondering where she was?
Something seemed to rise in her heart
and plead for him, but she would not
listen to it. What if he had loved her
with a love passing the love of man?
What if he had been willing to give
up the whole world for me? What If
he had surrounded her with loving
anger against him she would not re-
member these things. He had de-
ceived her, and he had brought the
great shame Of life upon her.
She hardened her heart against
him. she would not remember his
care and his love. He had forfeited
all right of her affection She did
I -
ture to be quite sure that the very
pique of her anger must have had it's
source in love.
Nothing would have pleased Mrs.
Carstone better than to keep Violet
with her always; but when they had
came announcing the return in a few
weeks of the two gentlemen of the
house. Then Violet seemed to realize
her position, and she shrunk from
meeting them.
II cannot stay here when they are
at home" she said; 81 should not like
it. Dear Mrs. Carstone, teach me
what to do; / must work for myself"
And she was deaf to any other sug-
gestion. In vain did Mrs. Carstone
implore her to stay at Ingleshaw, as
surfing her that both her husband and
son would be delighted.
Il know it, she replied. "They
would be pleased; they would be kind,
as you are; but | should prefer TO
leave here My husband was just the
least in the world jealous of Mr..
Oscar, and he would not like it,
But yo1 have given him up" said
Mr~ Carstone; you have made up
your mind never to see him again"
Still l should not like to do any
think of which he would not approve"
answered Violet. earnestIy-so earn
estly that Mrs CarstOne smiled &c
herself and felt more hopeful Of a
reconciliation than she had yet. 81
must work for myself" the girl con-
tinued. Il should have been COM
PEELED 80 do so if had not met my
husband There is NO great hardship
in doing It now
Perhaps Lord RIVERS may not like
it." said Mrs. Carstone. ITO my
mind, that seems much worse than
living with as
HE worked himself-worked hard
at painting" she replied. Il must do
something. Even if I could. I would
not live on your charity. Mrs. Car
stone"
You should not, my dear. If you
will remain with me as my COM
panion, l will pay you just the same
as any one else, neither more nor
less, and l will be very kind to you.
Il know that; but it would not do.
am quite sure that if ever it came
to my husbands knowledge, he would
not approve of it. Help me in an.
other fashion, dear Mrs Carstone
Try to find a situation for me- ]
could not teach-I do not know
enough; but should make a good
companion. Will you use your in
fluence to find me such a situation as
that?"
do you really mean it," said Mrs
Carstone, looking at her.
Il do. indeed" Violet assured her.
Then you may consider the situa
ton as already secured, for Mrs
Beresford, who called here yesterday
told me that she had been asked by {
friend of hers, who has been a com
panion and who is giving up the
situation, to find successor
What strange thing!" saiC
Violet, never guessing that it was thu
pointing Of the finger of Fate.
CHAPTER XIII.