Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-03

snail never i've there. IL Will never
be home to me any more. I hate the
place, and l intend never to enter it
again"
Hate Brooke Hall" cried Uric
"Why, thought you liked it,"
81 did a short time since; I do not
now"
How has the place displeased you,
Rudolph"
Sir Rudolph's face darkened.
THAT does not matter, Uric he
said. IT do not care about being
questioned. In the natural course of
things the Hall must come to you
when l die"
daughters of your own, Rudolph.
have no wish to succeed you. My
career is marked out for me, and I
hope to make myse.l famous"
Sir Rudolph laid both his hands on
Ulric's shoulders, and looked into his
face
eve have loved each other truly,
have we not, Ulric?"
Eyes, and shall always do So" re-
piled Uric.
"Then take my word for it, brother,
that no son or daughter of mine will
ever succeed me. You will be Sir
Uric Culmore of Brooke; and I pray
Heaven with my whole heart that you
may have happier life than mine"
"Yet," said Uric, "You have had
everything to make you happy"
"Outwardly happy, yes. Every heart
heaven knows how had dreamed
heaven knows how 1 had dreamer
of a very different life from this"
Then the brothers faced each other.
''In the old days we had no secrets
from each other" said Uric, earnestly.
when you were a gay, careless young
lieutenant, and I a struggling barris-
ter, we knew each others thoughts,
Ru. | knew of your love for Nest, and
you knew how l was looking for an
ideal that have since found. We had
not d secret from each other. We
stood true brothers, heart to heart,
face to face, no shadow between us,
loving, loyal, and true. Now, Ru, tell
me what stands between u.s.
"a secret" answered Sir Rudolph.
Il know it," answered Uric. Whose
secret is it?''
eff it were mine" replied Sir Ru-
dolph, "you would have been made ac-
quainted with it long ago. 1t concerns
another, and hold it,
"Can you not intrust it to me-"
asked Uric.
81 would, but the other who shares
it will not. Better far not to know
it. 1t has blighted my life; it might
blight yours
Perhaps" said Uric, 81 might help
YOU
impossible. There is no help.
There is nothing but patient endur-
ance until life ends; and the greatest
I, mercy I can ask from heaven is that
! mine may end soon."
"As we are talking, Ru, more in the
old fashion than the new, let me ask
you one thing. What has gone wrong
between you and Nest?"
Sir Rudolph's face paled, and his Lip
quivered.
81 cannot tell you; I would if
could"
Us it this same secret that has
blighted your life, Ru? Has it come
between your wife and yourself?"
eyes," he replied, after pause, ut
is the same thing"
And Ru, will it always last? Shall
you never take Nest in your arms
again and kiss her with the old love p"
Never" he replied-''never, so help
me heaven!"
HAS she done that which you never
can forgive, Ru?"
"She has," he replied. ri would not
answer such questions to any other
living creature" said Sir Rudolph.
ITO you, my brother, may say this
much-no more!"
! and shall you live and die. Ri.
without telling us what this terrible
secret is which has spoiled your 1ife?'
Il hope So" he replied; "it would
do no one good, and would do much
HARM"
MY dear old Ru,' said Uric, "are
you quite sure that this is wise? It is
brotherly love, and not curiosity, that
prompts me to speak. Are you wise
in this? No man could bear such a
burden long. You will break down.
Now, while there is time, let me help
you"
| 'You cannot help" he replied
gloomily
do you mean to tell me that your
whole life is to be spent in this fash.
ion-hidden from the world. blighted
nay, worse, wasted? 1t is inconceiv
able. If a wrong has been done, let il
be set right"
1T can never be set right" answered
Sir Rudolph.
"Then forget it. What is the use OF
brooding over a sorrow that can never
be healed? Be brave and strong, Ru
Trample it down, live it down. What
is the use of all this tragical misery
Let us end it."
There can be no end" said ST
: Rudolph, solemnly. "Now, Uric, W,
will discuss the matter no further"
''Ru, let me plead for Nest have
| never seen any one so unhappy. NJ,
heart aches when look at her. Whel
t | think of the laughing, light-heartet
| girl Of three years ago, l cannot be
lieve my eyes. She is like a woman
; dead in life. Could you not relen
: even ever so little? Could you no
!. make a grand effort, and forgiven
MY dear Uric, you mean well, blu
. you do not understand. If you low