Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-11


to forgive her for the old loves sake
Think Of me- she wrote, mot a:
the proud, injured, naughty wife whC
babe you farewell, careless Of YOU
love and careless Of your pain, but as
/ the girl whom you wooed in the wood:
of st. Byno's. In those days, 1 frankly
own, love was new to me, and l die
not love you as you deserved; now i
is different. Come back to me, Ran
! dolph, come back to me, darling, for
have learned at last to love you with
| my whole 1.eart and soul, just as yor
| loved me at first. And, beloved,
] shall wait mere six days-siX days
If, at the end Of that time, have not
! heard from you, shall know that you
| will never either write to me or come
| to see me again, and life will be ali
over with me. But you will come
| beloved. you will come! My heart
longs for you. You will take me in
your arms and kiss me, and lay my
head upon your breast"
She wrote the letter on her knees
she covered it with burning tears and
passionate kisses. Then she carried
it herself to the post She put it into
the letter-box, and, as it dropped from
her fingers, turned to Mrs. Carstone
with smile more sad than any sigh.
THAT will bring me either life OF
DEATH" she said.
ut will be life, my dear" returned
Mrs. Carstone.
mo man who loved his wife could
turn a deaf ear to such prayers as
yours. You have promised to wait
here six days. Let US spend those
six days more sensibly than we have
1.-THE last. Let us spend them in shop
ping. Have you money, my dear?'
And the anwer was Plenty" with j
dreary sigh.
"You will want it ALL" said Mrs
Carstone, delighted to think how
easily she could make up any little
deficiency of that kind. after
writing that letter, you must rest to-
day, and tomorrow we will go out
shopping Have you any idea what
we shall buy?"
mo" replied Violet; but there was
a flush on her face and a shy, sweet
light in her eyes as she answered.
Such marvels," said Mrs Carstone
-"such dainty marvels Of lace and
embroidery-little pretty things that
will make your heart beat with joy
And do you know for whom they will
be?"
ooh, happy mel" sighed Violet
even as she smiled.
'ln spite of all my trouble, thrice
happy me!
Thrice happy every good woman to
whom Heaven sends the gift OF q
little child" said Mrs. Carstone, with
tears in her eyes. You will have nc
time for watching at the windows for
the postman; the next six days must
be spent in making provision for the
future Lord RIVERS
So during the next six days the
beautiful face regained some OF it's
color and some of it's calm: for Violet
was taken out Of herself by this new
and keen delight and Mrs. Carstone
was just as pleased.
Violet reused herself from this new
| and engrossing occupation to ask
where her husband was. No letter
had yet arrived; until the end of the
sixth day Mrs. Carstone would not
have the question discussed.
He will come or write, she said.
1T is not likely that, loving you as he
does, he will refuse. If he u4d not
intend to come, he would at least
write and say So"
The fifth, sixth, seventh day came
| without news or letter; and then they
knew they must look the cruel fact
straight in the face.
'He will neither write nor come
now,'' said Violet, with the calm OF
! despair. Il cannot deceive myself Oh
buoy myself up with false hopes any
longer; he will not come"
No." replied Mrs. Carstone; 4
have been mistaken; he will not
come"
The dainty purchases were ali
packed. There was not more shop
ping; they could remain no longer at
| the hotel.
In ten days MORE" said Mrs. Car
stone, regretfully, Il must leave you
| My husband and son return from!
abroad, and 1 must join them. Will
you come home with me?''
mo. 1 thank you with all my heart
but l could not do that. Think fol-
mel cannot think for myself; find
some place for me where l can die
ode. What nonsense. my dear,
Why should you die? Hope on, hope
ever Let me think what it is best
that 1 should do for you
She thought for some time. while
| Violet knelt by her side with a white
despairing face. Suddenly Mrs. Car
stone looked up.
Il know the very thing" she cried
Il have an endless array of Door
relatives, and my husband is very
! generous to them all. l have g
! cousin, Miss Mary Marston, by name
who lives in a pretty little house al
! Weston-on-Sea. I will take you there
and you shall stay with~her until yor
can see more clearly what better We
can do. You must do your best tC
gain health and strength. l can come
! there to see you very OTTER
You are so good to mel" sobbeS
Violet with a sudden burst of tears.
So it was arranged. Nothing better
could be done; and on the day follow