Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-01-17
9oS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

dolph's resemblance to some one else
he knows. Such thing frequently
happens. 1t is easier for me to be-
lieve every man in the world mistaken
than to doubt the honor and integrity
of my own husband" And at that
moment, while she was defending him,
she cared more for him than she had
ever done. 1.-THE more l think of it,,
she said. "the more sure | feel that |
am right. My husband would never
have won me by a fraud"
Mrs. Carstone looked at her with
profound pity. How little she srs-
pected even what might possibly
await her
at 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 a secret
fashion, that he is living here under a
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"
| you 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 rea-
son for it; there must be a reason for
his avoidance of all English people"
II will not believe it," reiterated
| Violet.
Yet. when she remembered how ne
| had in all truth avoided mixing in
| English society, her heart sunk.
IL 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 a rich young nobleman
hides his rank and his name. assumes
a 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.
Il had better tell YOU" she replied,
though | know you will be angry. l
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, and as secure as
though | had been queen"
"Then is has been foolish thing to
make all this mystery about it," said
Mrs. Carstone. Zone thing is quite
certain-your husbands friends know
nothing of it. They have, IL 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. | 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. III all were as il
: should be, why need your marriage
. have been performed so privately? |
do not say there is anything wrong;
but do think appearances are so
i much against you that those who have
n the truest interest in you should make
u inquiries, and see that all is right"
Y mo one is interested in me-" said
Violet, except my Aunt Alice; and
G she is far away"
e Il beg your pardon" rejoined Mrs.
Carstoue, I'VE are all interested in YOU
r my husband, my son. and myself
T. We are your true friends; we would
1, do anything to serve you. My hus
band was most indignant when he
e heard what an imposition had beer
IS practiced upon you II you will civ,
= him authority he will sift tho matte,
II for YOU. and will give himself Just al
); much trouble as II you were his owl
n daughter"
You are very kind" said Violet
$ proudly; but | need no assistance:
IS have my husband. Nothing will eve
shake my faith in him"
y LET me find Mr. Carstone. and the
"a he can advise YOU" said Mrs. Cal
d stone. we have been talking abou