Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-13

Continued.

1T seems that the best thing would
be for the young wife to die re
marked Violet, dreamily; that would
=. leave him free
But Miss Mari shook her head.
1T would make no difference" she
said. IF he did not care for me be
fore his heart was filled with love fol
his young wife, it is not likely that he
would do so now. Her death would
make no difference to me-
IF he loves her so very much, one
would imagine that he would set to
work to find her." observed Violet
ct would be useless to look for her.
She told her husband that, even if
they met face to face, she would never
return to him; and the dowager quite
believes it. She says she does not
believe that anything would induce
her to return
rs she glad of it," asked Violet
impulsively.
II do not think so. l believe she
would be glad to undo all that she has
done. She was most bitterly annoyed
with regard to the marriage at the
time: but, now that she sees how un-
| happy her son is, she would like to
undo her part in producing the
present state Of affairs, if she could
'Is he so very unhappy" asked
Violet, with a strange softening in
her voice.
Eyes. He has gone to London, and
his mother says he is giving himself
up wholly to art. He shuts himself
.. up; he sees no one, speaks to no one,
| paints all day, is losing all his grand
opportunities, will not hear of public
| life, and all for love of a girl who
| cares so little for him that she has left
him. would not have left him If
he had been the worst of criminals,
instead of the best of men, | would
| not have left him. l would have gone
| with him to prison and to the gallows:
| would have stood by his side on the
scaffold. But then I love him, and
she does not"
Another burning blush, more quick
beating of the heart. The locket that
held the handsome face almost fell
from Violet's hands.
How will it all end?" she asked.
suddenly.
And the heiress sighed despairingly.
Il cannot tell; | cannot even
imagine. In general misery, I should
think. The dowager will never be
happy again"
II do not think she deserves to be-"
remarked Violet, quickly.
Perhaps not; but we must make
allowances for her wounded pride and
her bitter disappointment. Her
whole heart was fixed on her son.
Then it is terribly sad for him. His
mother wept bitterly one morning be-
cause he would have no son to
succeed him. The titles and estates
both go to people who are almost
strangers"
Violet had never thought of that;
all through the matter she had
thought more of herself than of him
There could be no more cruel blow
for a woman like the dowager than
that" said Miss Mari, "and there can
be little consolation for her; it is her
own fault. The person who will
suffer least will be the young wife
herself. She will return to her own
class and her own people, and
probably forget all the havoc and
misery she has caused. I am not
hard-hearted, but 1 do detest her. !
should have loved0her if she had stood
bravely by him."
''He did not stand bravely by her,
it seems to me-" commented Violev.
why did he allow his mother to do
such a cruel wicked thing?"
Il do not think he did allow her l
feel sure she did it entirely without
his knowledge. 1 look at the common
sense of the matter-if he loved her
well enough to give up all the world
for her, why should he wish or try TO
find out flaw in his marriage? I do
rot believe that he knew his mother
had written
ct seems to me-" said Violet, that
the blame lies wholly with the
dowager Lady RIVERS"
Quite as much rests with the
wife" declared Miss Mari. "She
left him very easily. 1t did not seem
to cause her any pain; that was what
his mother and sisters felt. After all
his sacrifices for her, it was a poor
return. She really seemed glad of an
excuse to get away. If she had
quarrelled with his mother, no one
could have felt any surprise; but l
cannot see why she left him."
This was how they judged her
| they thought she cared little for him,
little for her marriage-vows; no one
knew that the dowager had stabbed
| her to the heart by telling her that
her husband was aware that she had
written.
''It is miserable story" she said;
there does not seem to be a glimpse
Of happiness in it anywhere"
mo. Love is a marvellous thing .
remarked the heiress. 81 have often
read that love wins love; it is not
true. l loved Lord RIVERS well
enough to have won love in return;
but it never came. 1t would all have
been so different of he had loved me-
and the girl stretched out her arms
with wistful, passionate longing that
went to Volet's heart
Violet turned away, still holding the
locket in her hand How will il
end?" she asked herself. How can il
end?' And she could read in the
future no answer to the self-put
question.
CHAPTER xLVIii.