Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-10

a life The story struck me as being
strange one." added the rector
Something induced me to look at
Lady Culmore's face. Her eyes were
fixed on the rector's face; she hung
upon each word that fell from his lips.
There WIS strange light in her ey es
that | had never seen there before.
Yes said Uric; but the man was
mistaken. The proper reading of the
words is that whatsoever takes mans
life shall pay for it with his own"
"If one life pays for another" Lady
GILMORE broke in, how can it matter
| whose life it is?"
Every one looked up in wonder. Her
clear, sweet tones vibrated through
the room, her beautiful face was
flushed. Sir Rudolph regarded her in
establishment. She went on:
IF any one takes life and gives a
life, does not that equalize matters?''
she asked; and | detected something
of scornful bitterness in her voice.
IF the life given be more valuable
than discharge the debt?"
NO" said the rector, in a distinct
voice that seemed to startle us-"no.
That is the view of distorted mind,
Lady GILMORE, of one that does not
distinguish clearly between right and
wrong"
saw her shrink as she would have
shrunk from blow.
What a gloomy conversation
cried Uric suddenly. How can we
have drifted into it? Let us dismiss
the subject Lady Culmore, you ought
to have dismissed u.s."
II have been greatly interested" she
said; and again there was something
new and strange in her voice, while
the light still flashed in her eyes.
During the long discussion husband
and wife hardly looked at each other.
But, at the words "a life for life.' |
saw Lady Culmore raise her eyes and
fix them on her husbands face. Who
could read them with their messages
of love, regret, and hope?
SO the evening passed; and, when
the rector had gone, Sir Rudolph, with
a hasty Good night" retired also
Lady Culmore, who seemed quite abb
stracted, walked to the window and
drew the blind aside. She stood there
looking out into the darkness.
Kate" whispered my lover, come
here; l want you;" and we went into
the conyersatory, which was dimly
lighted. my dear'-with a quiet
caress-'you have behaved wonder
fully well this evening"
Il always behave well, Uric"
you did not f1irt with the rector at
all, and / must make full amends. He
has fine face; he argues well too.
Kate, / am sure that he admires you.
Does the bracelet fit, darling?"
This was merely an excuse to hold
up my arm and kiss it. / pointed to
Lady GILMORE standing at the window.
"She will not see me" said Uric;
"and If she does, it will not matter.
Fancy, dearest, what suffer, sitting
all night watching your beautiful face,
and never able to kiss the lips | love
or gaze into the eyes that hold all bliss
for me. Kate, must be indemnified!"
1t was useless pointing to Lady Gull
more. 1t was useless to do or say
anything; aIli, to be quite honest, per-
haps l did not mind so very much.
Remember" said my lover, with
flush on his handsome face-"remem-
Der that | shall speak to my brother
tomorrow. | will not put up with an
other days delay"
He babe me Good night" in his
usual lover-like fashion, and went
away. Then | crossed over to Lady
GILMORE. She turned to me when l
spoke to her.
ooh, my dear" she said, "who is it?''
who is what?" | asked.
"You should see your own face,
Kate; you should see your own eyes.
AS we stand side by side, you are the
very picture of happiness, as l am the
picture of woe"
I was ashamed of myself; / wished
that l could drive the light of happi-
ness from my face and eyes.
Il am haunted" she said, "by those
words, 'A<life for a life! What a
strange conversation that was, Kate!"
Neither cheerful nor pleasant" l
replied. 'And, If / were you, Lady
Culmore, l would forget all about it."
81 wish" she cried, passionately,
That could forget all about myself,
even to my very name!"
~, continued