Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-31
Continued.

Because, my darling. | loved and
married YOU. Gwendoline MARI is
nothing to me; have never cared but
for one woman in my life. Now listen
to me, Violet. I began life, as | have
told you, with this determination
not to lose my one chance of happi-
ness. but to wait until I found some
one to love me for myself. I found
there was very little notion of love in
my own circle. My eldest sister, a
calm, serene woman with beautiful
face, was going to marry the Earl of
Lester; and, during all the time I
heard my mother discuss that marri-
age, l never once heard the word
love She talked of settlements, of
diamonds, Of dress. of anything and
everything but love. I determined
then that, whatever else might be
missing at my marriage, love at least
should be there. I can safely say,
Violet, that my heart was never touch
ed even ever SO family by any of the
beautiful or graceful girls l met in
society. l liked Gwendoline Mari.
She was a great friend of my sisters
and my mother liked her. AS for
we, my heart and soul were sleeping
when | met you. had always been
very much attached to my favorite art
painting [ must tell you also that,
having been so many years under my
mothers influence and training, |
perhaps stood a little more in awe of
her than most young men do of their
mothers. I told her the one great de-
sire of my heart, which was, before I
entered or my lifelong duties as heir
to a large fortune and estate, to spena
one year in a sketching tour, to &c
where 7 liked without any ceremony,
to stay wherever picturesque scenery
attracted me. to have. in fact, q com
plete and perfect holiday. Ny mother
did not like the idea at all; she de-
clarCd that she had a foreboding that
it would result in no good; but my
sister, the Countess of Lester, per
suaded her to accede to my request.
Was it fate that brought me to ST.
Byno's, to find that my wife was wait
ing for me There? I had nc thought of
deceiying you, as you choose to term
it, Violet. True, I thought to myself
that | would WOO you and win you as a
poor man. Then you told me about
your strange training. bUw your aunt
had inculcated in you a hatred of the
aristOcracy. I used TO wonder when
| heard those beautiful lips uttering
such words. Tt was then | sinned
against you. if sin it can be called.
Would to Heaven there were no
- I c
you would marry an aristocrat, you
answered, No. yoW would rather die
Then what was I 10 do? I could not
endure the thought I knew your
ideas were all nonsense. the result Of
foolish and mistaken training. SO L
made up my mind that there w01ld be
no great harm III my keeping the
secret Of my position from you. |
thought as you grew older and wiser,
as you saw mure of the woT5l, you
would change y2ur views for @others
more just In that | sinned against
you; in no other way. Since we have
been married 7 izlve frequently taong6d
to tell you the truth; but yoE have
been bitter in your prejudiceS. See
even how you have liked these Car
stones and glcrified them because
they are <seffmade!' Now 40 you
think, after all that have acted SO
badly?"
MY opinion of what you have
done" she said. remains unchanged"
Then you are a cold-hearted, cruel
woman Violet.7' he cried. "How. can
you be so fair and so cold? I humble
myself l acknoxl ledge that ought
to have told yoas the truth. Il did
wrong, yet ii seemed to me right at
the time. That q. rong ask yCGl to
forgive me-"
He looked so handsome. so inns lor-
ing, that NEST women would have
been glad to forglve him then and
there. A world OF love shone in his
face; his eyes were filed with a ten
der light. Perhaps he pleaded .tGo
much; perhaps if 'is9 had seemed a
little less anxious. Ills proud beautiful
wife would have yielded. AS it was
in proportion as he grew more des-
perate she hardened 'heE heart against
,him.
Violet" said Lsrd Ryvers, you
make me no answer. Il will not be-
lieVe that any woman can be SO cruel
as to refuse to forgive a sniff you
call it q subcommittee entirely
for love of her"
81 have sold you that forgive II /;
but nothing can ever he the same be-
tween us agsin-nothing:''
That is fancy, and very cruel
fancy he replied. why, Sriolet,
how unlike yal are to other GIRLS!
Most OF them would be yell pleased
10 be Lady RIVERS of Ryverswel."
She flushed crimson at the words.
That is not my name" she cried,
angriiy. Il am Mrs Randolph"
you are not Mrs. Randolph" he
said, with a smile "You are the
young, beautiful. and beloved Lady
RIVERS of Ryversweh.'
But he could have used no words SO
fatal to his cause as those.
IF you have anything more to say
cried Violet. IF you wish me to listen
do not call me by that name again. II
is hateful to me-"
Hateful Yet l have given it to
you. Oh. Violet. be more just, be less
cruel!'
you cheated me into taking it."
she replied. IF any one lives who
treats all titles with contempt. It is L
You think SO much of title: it IS but