Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-01-14
CHAPTER XVI.
"a Woman Magnificent in Her
Despair"

Despair.
"The fact isl continued Lyster Ayr
ton, 81 ought not to be alive. It is
rather a disgrace to me under the cir
cumstances; everything possible was
done to kill me, and really ought to
have died.
Il was stabbed by native chief and
thrown aside as dead [ remember all
the incidents of our expedition-the
fight in the Golden Valley, the MUIR
derous blows and my own share of
them. But / do not know how long |
lay, left by friends and foes, as one
dead. 1t was an Englishman who
found me; a clever man, too, for he
saved my life. He carried me across
his shoulders through the valley and
over the hills to his own clearing. For
two long months lay in his little hut,
senseless and near to death.
'sHe might have saved better life.
He saved mine. But it was nearly a
and find my way home to Victoria
People there were all frightened at me-
My old friend persisted in believing he
had left me dead in the Golden Val
ley, and considered that my ghost was
trying to impose upon him.
81 found pretty much the same kind
Of welcome there as I found here. My
wife, considering herself a widow, had
gone home, and I was left alone.
II could not follow her, because I
had no money There seemed no need
for writing; she would know that |
was alive soon enough. | worked
hard for some months, and here I am .
There was a minutes dead silence;
then the squire said, solemnly: "You
have chosen between US, Sybil; choose
again. Do not be led away by a false
notion Of honor. Stay with me-
home is here"
'''Thy home shall be my home, thy
people my people used to be the old
reading Of the marriage VOW" said
Lyster Ayrton, lightly.
The squire turned from the mocking
voice with unutterable disdain.
Choose, my darling" he said.
Think of the poverty, the misery, ly
ing before you I shall keep my VOW.
No farthing of my money shall go to
that mans support"
Lyster Ayrton's face fell considera-
bly,.
Come" he said, "let there be peace
between us. l do not want any i'll
will"
Hush" said the squire, sternly,
there is nothing in common between
you and me- I have not a word to adj
dress to you"
eyes fingered with despair on the pale,
brave face he loved so well. He said
no Wort to influence her; but now he
stepped forward.
"Sybil," he said, "as your fathers
friend, let me speak I do not think
duty calls you to go with this man."
Il am his wife," she said, slowly.
What can part us but death?"
Looking at her, they thought the
parting would soon come.
Once more the old squire interfered
appealingly, his voice broken and his
chest heaving in agonizing emotion.
''Stay with us, Sybil, stay with us, !"
he cried.
Let me end this scene,." she said
My husband claims me- l go with
him. l shall be as one dead to you,
father-to you, Irene-to you"
She hesitated as her eyes fell upon
Sir Rupert. She could not look at him,
remembering how they had parted one
short hour ago. A bitter cry rose to
her lips.
Let me co. she said; II can bear it
10 longer"
They crowded round her-the gray
headed father, the weeping sister, and
the brave man whose wife she was to
have been on the morrow. They
prayed her to remain in words that
would have turned heart OF stone;
but she never faltered or wavered in
her resolution. In that hour she rose
supreme-a woman magnificent in her
despair.
There need be no hurry about it. !"
said Lyster Ayrton.
II cannot hope" he continued, look
ing wistfully at the squire, Il cannot
hope that the hospitality Of Glynn will
be extended to ne; but there is no
reed for my wife to leave her home at
this hour Of night"
II go with you now,' she said, stead
lily. II would suffer anything rather
than remain another night under my
rather's roof Irene" she continued,
turning to her sister, "let what is mine