Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-04-29
CHAPTER XIV.

| ChAI L LIS AAlN.
| Sir Hubert was lying between life and
DEATH while nurses watched him and list
ened for the faint, low breath. The ST.
| lence of night had fallen over that lux
usious mansion when he opened his eyes
ald asked for the Duchess of Bayard.
| The women looked aghast at each 9TH
Ell. The Duchess of Bayard was in her
room and asleep, they believed. They
did not like TO call her.
~ believe that l am dying" he said,
and l must see her"
They heard him murmur something to
/ himself that he had been saved by dog,
/ and il occurred to them that he wished
| to speak to her about the dog. So, in
| the silence OF the night, they went TO
her room in search of her. to say that the
! dying man wanted her. In the silence of
the night she rose to 90.
| She found him lying quite calm, wait
ing for her. She went up to him..
You wanted to speak to me-" she said,
gently. Il am here"
| creme" he said, Il want you Send
these women away, that may speak to
you"
| She did so. under some pretext, and
| they were alone.
Irene. / have not mentioned your
NAME" he said. They have asked me
all kinds OF questions about my accident,
but no one knows that you left me there
| ia die-no one ever win know / have
been spared l want 70 ask you some
| thing" he said. Il did a grievous wrong
to you--a wrong for which | know now
there is neither excuse nor pardon. Be
| fs-,,-, nh I L.. .3,~su
| thought, in yonder woods, that was my
greatest trouble. | am sorry, through
| To my hearts core, for all | have done
| to hurt you. Ii | could | would crave
that pardon on my knees. Irene, will you
forgive me? Forgive me, my dear, for
heavens sake"
She made no answer, and he went on;
/ "You swore to be aveaged upon me,
MY dear; you have taken terrible ven
/ gdance. | have suffered all the pains OF
death-all its pains. its desolatien. its
| abandonment DO you not think that
have suffered enough2 No death could
I e$'er be Sc terrible again. | have suf-
fGred more than death. Ireae. therefore.
| Your vengeance is complete. You have
+ slain me, Irene-all the youth. the man
hs,ad. the strength ia me-slain me. IL
/ selIered 50 much lying there thar this
1 world aud this lie can never be much 10
ME again. and IL heard the doctors
s8y IL ever I recovered I should be lame
I fer life-ueyer able 70 walk erect again.
/ ON. Irene. have I nor suffered erausa
+ You have had your vengeance. and he2y-
I "a has taken the rest from youv hands.
4 {"YeS. She said slowly, 'you have sur
/ ffrcd enough in all conscience, and my
I rGvcnge Sutlices. As You say. il is heav-
+ 81 who took you from me.
sand yoa win forgives" Ee said.
+ She was Silens and thoaghtfa. for 9
minute then she said. gently:
..YeS. l have fulfilled my vow, ana
( win forgive you
She looked at him in wonder. for he
was crying Ike a child; great tears rain
Ell down his face and bitter soos shook
his frame
FL am bro&ea down. he said. Irene.
/ f.have no strength left: il is Ike light
fSom heaven On m& the peace that came
With your words. You quite forgive me,
I3ene-"
She laid her aaaa with kindly cares
ing touch on his forehead.
Yes. l pardon you. Hubert; you ruin.
81 my life. but I forgive you. as I pray
the good Gcd to forgive me"
"Shall VIC bury the horrible past end
be friendsT he asked.
THAT can never be" she said. quietly.
II will speak quite frankly to you.
can never be Indifferent Se yoH. l must
either love you or hate you. There can
be no medium. no friendship for US.
forgive you. bat we must be as strangers.
You must pshmise me gradually to breaS
oil yonr friendship with the duke. 10 de
cline his invitations. always 10 avoid
meeting me. for there can he no friend
saip between us--the TWO who have lOyed
each other 80 dearly and have sought