Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-10
CHAPTER XIII.

why, most certainly Sue ought W
know! She must know! My dear"
he continued, turning suddenly to his
wife, "you are the person to do 1t.
Women understand women best. You
must manage it. I could not as an
Englishman stand by silently while so
cruel a wrong was perpetrated. The
girl may be motherless, she may be
friendless; it is our duty to interfere"
And, when Richard Carstone once
became convinced that to do a thing
was his duty, he did it.
81 dread to undertake such a task"
said Mrs. Carstone. Suppose it is
all right-she will be angry that we
have suspected anything; so will he.
She will be sure to tell him. And. on
the other hand, if it be all wrong, what
am to do with her? She will break
her heart"
"Nonsense!" said her husband,
CURLY. "This is no time for hesita-
ton or to be Influenced by fine
scruples. I hope you will make an
opportunity for seeing Mrs. Randolph
today, and get to know, first of all,
whether she understands her true
position. Indeed you must lose no
time about it. Try to see her this
morning"
Fate favored Mrs. Carstone. Lord
RIVERS went to a neighboring town to
make some purchases, and Violet. as
she always did in his absence, came tC
hnr wi
| light faded out of that lady's face
when she saw her, for she did not like
| her task.
"You are not we'll, Mrs Carstone, -
said Violet, after the first greetings
were over. II am glad that have a
few hours to spare this morning. My
husband has gone to purchase some
wonderful points,
"And you have come to spend your
leisure time with me-" said Mrs. Car
stone. THAT is really good of you
Shall we go out? The sun shines. bu
it is not too warm
"Sit down, my DEAR" she said. &c
cannot walk far today"
Violet wondered a little at hel
| strange manner-it was so nervous, 81
timid, SO unlike Mrs. Carstone's usua
kind, unconcerned way. And. above
all other topics, Mrs. Carstone chose
to speak of her wedding-day.
eve always keep up the anniver
sary of our wedding-day," she said
eve have quite little fete. Do you
Mrs. Randolph? | think it is a very
nice custom for all married people tt
observe"
II have had but one anniversary,
she replied, with smile; "but quite
agree with you; it is a very pleasant
custom. l must tell my husband thai
we also must plan a fete for mex
year.
my DEAR" said Mrs. Carstone, try
ing to speak carelessly, what is your
husbands Christian name?"
Randolph" Violet replied-''t the
same as his surname"
''That is strange thing-very un
usual, I should imagine" observed
Mrs. Carstone
Eyes, it is unusual" said Violet. &c
knew Philip Philips, and I have reaG
Of an Owen Owen"
speaking Of names and marriage
said Mrs. Carstone. what was your
maiden name?"
"Beaton;" replied Violet; 'T am
always proud of my name. because il
is in the old ballad:
| There was Mary Beaton, and Mary
| Seaton,
And Mary Carmicha1. and me-"
| But, my DEAR" said Mrs. Carstone
with something of awe, ''do you really
belong to a family so ancient as
| that?"
NO" laughed Violet; II should say
not. 'Beaton' is by no means an I'M
common name. I have never thought
as to whether l was descended from
the Beatons mentioned in the song or
rot"
Still Mrs. Carstone felt that she
was no nearer the knowledge she
wished to obtain.
Il was married at st. Johns, in the
City," she said.
Where were you married, Mrs.
Randolph"
Violet, who knew of no necessity
| for keeping the circumstances con-
nected with her marriage a secret, an
swered readily enough:
In one of the prettiest of old
churches-at st. Byno's, where |
| lived
Then she was married." thought
Mrs. Carstone. Tell me about your
wedding" she continued; 81 like to
hear about love-stories and Weddings .
But her hands trembled as she spoke,
and there was great anxiety in her
eyes.
There was nothing very remark
able attending my wedding" said
Violet. 'Mr. Randolph and I were
married on the twenty-second of
September, and it was one of the
loveliest days that even a poet could
imagine"
"And you were very happy, my
dear?" she said, gently.
Yes, very happy. The only draw
back to my happiness was that my
aunt, with whom l had always lived,