Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-17
CHAPTER XIV.

mel" cried Violet. Il felt quite sure
of it. What is it. Mrs. Carstone"
81 do not like my task at all.
would not have undertaken it, but my
husband and son insisted upon 1t.
"Your husband and SOM" said
Violet, proudly. What have they to
do with me?"
Nothing; but they felt that the
mystery ought to be cleared up"
What mystery? There is no mys-
terry concerning me-" said the young
girl, more proudly still.
Unfortunately there is very I'M
mistakable mystery" replied Mrs.
Carstone.
Then Violet rose from her pretty
garden-chair, and stood. erect and
naughty before her companion.
you must say more, now that you
have said so much. she declared.
ITO my mind, the very word mystery
is distasteful, and am proud to say
there is none attached to me-"
She stood erect and naughty
enough, most fair to see. her dress of
pale blue sweeping the ground in
graceful folds. the slanting sunbeams
falling on her golden hair and beauti-
full face-a face flushed now with in
dignation. The proud. sweet lips
trembled, and the white hands toying
with the vien-leaves were not quite
steady.
Nov, Mrs. Carstone. what is the
mystery" she persisted.
"Tf you are going to be angry with
me-" said Mrs. Carstone. Il cannot
tell you at all"
And she looked so distressed that
Violet's heart smote her.
81 am not angry" she replied
why should be? am quite sure of
one thing-you would not do or say
anything knowingly to hurt me-"
Il wish / knew how to tell you in
such words that could not annoy you.
Perhaps YOU will think it is not my
business, and that | need not have
spoken. Still 1t seems right that you
should know. Mrs. Randolph, your
husband is not what be seems to be-"
Violet's face grew paler and
prouder.
'In what way?" she asked. 81 will
believe nothing but what is good OF
him.
He is not what he seems to be-" re
peated Mrs. Carstone. He calls him
self Mr.. Randolph and he processes
to be an artist, in both respects acting
untruthfully, Your husbands name
is not Randolph neither is he az
artist"
Who and what is he. them" asked
the girl. In low. hoarse voice.
II seemed to her impossible that h,
should be anything but the gallant
loyal lover she had always known.
He is Lord RIVERS of Ryversdale
one of the wealthiest men in Eng
land"
The effect Mrs. Carstone's word.
produced was quite different from
what she expected. The beautiful
face before her grew white to tn,
very lips. and the light died from tn,
violet eyes.
Il do not believe it," the cir
gaspec. at length. 81 will not believe
It! should hate him IL 1t were
true?"
1T is as true as that the sun shines
In the heavens" replied Mrs. Car
stone.
i viii not believe it," Violet re
peated.
1T is most positively true" said
Mrs. Carstone. HE is Randolph Lord
RIVERS, and he belongs to one of the
grandest old families In England: he
is thorough aristocrat."
IAN aristocrat." cried the girl: and
the word, as IT came from her Inns
was worse than sneer. II hat,
them" she gasped. 81 will not be
lieve It,"
1t seems to me that. II had toll,
you your husband was a thief. of
forger, instead of nobleman. yo
could not be more angry" said Mr..
Carstone.
Il should not be one half so angry,
declared her companion. You cal
not understand. you have not bee
trained as have been. Hatred of a
such runs with the blood In m
veins"
at is very foolish" Mrs. Carston
said. astonished; there is no sens
nor reason In t."
But Violet flashed look from hs
grand eyes which almost silenced he
you canont understand" she sal
loftily.
And Mrs. Carstoae felt that 81
spoke the truth Such sentiments Z
Violet had uttered were beyond hi
comprehension. The girlish. gracefl
figure was drawn IN to It's full height
the flashing eyes looked down upo
her
why DO you say this OF my hu
band?" she asked "And who hs
told you?"
Mrs. Carsto2e repeated the stol
exactly as she had heard it. An o
college friend Of Lord RIVERS hg
recognized him. and had gone avs
lest any complication or unpleasant
mess should arise through his recogr
ton.
~ do not believe one word Of II