Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-11
IRENE,s vow
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.

~-~-~S~~~--o-~-o~~~-o.-~
He bent down to kiss her: and all the
passion and love ID her heart surged over
her now. She haG no more objections, nc
more hesitation; she would live just
where he wished 1er, and do all that he
desired.
Beechgroye was taken. with all its lux
urious Observation-Disclosures decora-
ton and hangings--a homo fit for duch-
ess. for the first time Irene felt at
home.
One evening Sir Hubert suddenly be-
came dissatisfied with the quality of his
cigar.
There is but one thing in the world
that | am fastidious over" he cried, '.and
that is my cigars, Irene. There is a case
in my pocket, the pocket of the coat
hanging up IN the hall-will you look for
it? | have rot patience for these things.
There axe no rosebuds this time, can
certify"
She went at once to do his bidding.
True, there was no vestige of a rosebud,
but there was something worse. Out of
the pocket Of the overcoat fell a pair of
lelnon-tinted gloves, and delicate ivory
LdOAGL AuaL AGu btGAl ASt0 W 0Ol44G i1dg
at ball.
Without thinking, she hastily read il
over. and the name of Sir Hubert was
repeated over and over again. This, then,
was the reason why he could not take her
to the theater the evening previous; he
had been at a ball with someone else. She
did not stop-poor child, to consider or
TO think; she forgot all about the cigars,
her beautiful face flushed hotly. She
went back to him at once, and laid the
pretty tablet before him.
Now l understand why you would
not take me out" she said. Your en-
gagement was a ball. You would not tell
me where. Doubtless it was with the
lady TO whom this belonged-is it sop
A shadow of pride, anger, and defiance
passed over his face; then careless,
half-scornful smile crossed his lips.
1T was so. You are right in both sur
misses. What them"
What thenYf she repeated. ''How
cruel how heartless, how unkind"
Il do not see it, Irene, my position
in the world obliges me to fulfill obliga-
tions. What folly to quarrel over it."
Does your social position oblige you to
~ " bAilSt AillAG 9Ou lGdNo -lG mere
alone, and treasure even such a trifie as
this?" she asked, angrily. Il see name
ON it. What is it?--'Lady Lira Gerant'
Hubert. who is Lady Lira Gerant?"
Tue dark. face flushed. and an angry
ligh; famed in his eyes.
IF Lady Gerant be nothing to you,'
she said. why have you kept this? You
must have kept it for her sake
Il can safely aver did no such thing,
Irene. | did not even know it was in
my pocket. | danced with the lady last
evening, it is true; as you can see for
yourself, | wrote my name on her tablet
| can only imagine that she left it in my
hands, and | put il away with what is
much more precious to me-my own cigar
case. If you were less jealous, Irene,
could trust you more. If l had told you
last night that | was going to a ball there
would have been a scene, as you know;
you would have been jealous, and
should not have liked that. If you were
reasonable, and | could speak to you
without fear, | should tell you every
thing"
Il am not jealous" she said, "but it
seems tC me / have a right to know
where you 90 and what you do. Hubert,
who is Lady-what is the nameT'-she
took up the tablet again and re-read it
Lady Lira Gerant.' Who is she, HUI
bert?'
He laughed carelessly.
Some people consider her the most
beautiful woman in England Irene.
do not. | think you hold that place Of
honor"
But who is she?" asked Irene 81 do
not want to know what, but who is she 2"
"She is the daughter of one of the most
powerful earls-Ear Gerant, a man sec
ond to none" he replied, earnestly. HE
is the greatest power in the State"
Il have read about him." she said,
thoughtfully.
You have asked me who Lady Lira is;
can tell you in very few words. The
Countess of Gerant died few years
since. and Lady Lira, who was then but
seventeen years old, took the entire COM
mand of her fathers household. She is
just twenty. She is accounted by many
the loveliest woman in England; she holds
one of the highest positions in the land (;
she is a wealthy heiress, and she is. be-
sides. the very queen of fashion"
Tender arms stole round his neck, and
sweet lips were laid lightly on his own.
SILL" said low, sweet voice, ''still
for all that, | would not change places
with her, Hubert"
why not, my dearest?'' he asked.
Because you do net love her, and you
do love me-" she answered, and those sim
pie words touched him far more than he
would have liked to own; his face grew
pale under them, he WINGED like a man
who had received a sudden shot in the
face.
80, for all her beauty. her wealth.
her brilliant position, and her honored
name, | do not envy the Lady Lira Ge-
rant" continued the girl. The only
woman on earth | should ever envy
would be the woman you loved-that is,
If ever you did or could love anyone but
me-"
lie made her some: loving answer. and
for a time the storI{ was averted No
jealous thoughts or suspicious entered
her mind; she believes what he said, that
his social duties led: him into these en-
gagements, and she teied to be content.
July. with its warmth and fragrance.
passed; August came. Ii had been un-
derstoOd between them that Irene should
not leave Reechgroye.
Walk or drive as much as you viii in
this neighborhood. Sir Hubert had said,
"but never so to iowa
She had faithfully complied with his
wish; but during tho first week in Au-
gust came his birthday. and she wanted
to purchase a handsome ring for him
She planned in her 3own mind how she
would always make him wear il. 1t was
not fair. she thought. that married man
should not wear some token OF his bond
age She had often debated the subject
with Sir Hubert. al5d her own opinion
was that a married man was quite as
strictly bound TO wear wedding ring as
a married lady.
SO. on bis birthday. she would present
him with one. and she would ask him
to wear il always, jest as she wore the
plain circlet OF gold he had placed upon
her finger.
Once in town. she Thought il no harm
TO drive around. Shejhad no inter ton Of
watching aer husband. she preferred not