Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-12-30

Vance; my heart has ached until naS
grown heavy within me, and tears
come more naturally to me now than
smiles" -
He moved impatiently in his chair,
but spoke no word. He had a shreWd
suspicion of what was coming.
Il do not think" she continued, that
any wife could love her husband with
deeper, truer love than I give TO you.
He smiled complacently. What less
royal gift than perfect love could be
given to him?
"And T." she went on, expect the
same love from you; and she added,
with a trembling voice, q am sure that
you can give it to me-"
An expression of relief passed over
the captains face as his wife altered
these last words.
But there is just one thing" contin-
ued her ladyship, that would make me
happier, if you would do it"
What is it?" he asked.
And again her lips seemed unable
! to frame the words. She looked at her
mist of tears in her eyes.
Vance" she said, "do you know that
am almost afraid of you? find my
self wondering whether I dare say
what l find myself longing to say"
''You need not fear to say anything
you wish to me-" he said kindly; and
the gentle tone of his words brought
back all her courage.
''Well. Vance, I want you to give up
your intimacy with Gladys Rane."
The trusting, loving woman did not
notice the fiery CLEAN of anger that
darkened his face; but she did see
the sudden movement of his fingers,
the quick clinching of the strong
hands
"What have you to do with Gladys
Rane?" he asked, in a cold, stern
voice. "And why should give up one
of the best and dearest friends I have
in the world?"
eff she were no more than friend"
said her ladyship, 81 would not make
the request"
"And who dares to suggest that she
is more than friend?" he demanded,
argrily.
every one! Oh, Vance, do not be
angry, l know it is weak and foolish
of me. You gave me the best proof of
yeur love by asking me to be your
wife; but am jealous of Gladys Rane,
and the jealousy is poisoning my life,
''You have no cause to be Jealous"
he said, coldly.
ooh, yes. beloved, have!" she cried.
81 have cause-my own heart tells me
have most bitter cause. | love you
with my whole soul, and the instinct
of my love tells me that your heart has
gone from me"
"My dear Laura said the captain,
languidly. never talk sentimentally on
warm day
He saw the spasm of pain that
passed over her face; but he felt no
compassion for her suffering.
He decided resolutely that this kind OF
thing must be nipped in the bud.
do not laugh at me, Vance, she
pleaded, with gentle dignity. Il have
come to you with my soul on my lips;
do not meet me with ridicule / have
been very unhappy ever since noticed
how much time you spend with and
how attentive you are to Gladys Rane.
| Oh, Vance l have watched the glances
from your eyes tc hers, and l have
seen the love in them-deeper love-
Vance, than you ever gave TO me! And
your voice do you know how much
| love and music come into it when you
speak to her? Do you know how your
eyes follow her-how she seems to
draw you to her by touching your very
heart-strings? Do you know how ev-
cry one makes way for you to occupy
place by her side? SO soon as you
enter a room where she is, It is as
though a magnet drew you together,
i People smile; those nearest to Miss
Rare make way for you, as though you
/ had right to be near her; and, when
| see that, Vance, my heart aches.
! Then when you are near her, both you
and she seem to forget everything in
! the world but each other; and I-Oh,
Vance, I feel as if [ were left out in
The cold and darkness! l go away, for
cannot bear the pain of it. Again,
you do not know how often you dance
with her; and, Vance, when one has
seen you Waiting with her, there can
he no more doubt-no more. I see, be-
sides, so much that [ cannot put into
words; and, Vance, I have seen you
wear her flowers. When she sings,
she sings only to you, for her eyes
never leave your face; and once I saw
you kiss her hand. Something-it
must be the instinct Of my own heart
tells me that she is my rival.
want you to give up your intimacy with
her, Vance. 1t pains met is killing
mel cannot bear it!'-and her voice
died away in a little sob.
The captain was silent for a time,
and The look on his face was not pleas
ant to see.
| ''Haye you quite finished, Laura" he