Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-01-09
Continued.


never have believed that any woman
could be so weak, SO foolish, so ridic-
ulously Jealous. l am astonished at
you, though it is true | never gave you
credit for being strong-minded Jeal-
Ousy is ridiculous at all times; but it
Is doubly ridiculous when it exists
without cause"
Can you say truthfully, Vance, that
my jealousy is without cause?" asked
the distressed wife.
81 say SO clearly and distinctly; It
is an absurd folly, an absurd fancy"
you do not really love Gladys
Rane?" she asked.
Il consider the question an insult.
he exclaimed.
Then, Vance, if you do not love her,
if you do not take an undue interest in
her, why not make me happy by CIV
ing up the greater part Of your init
macy?"
Because / viii not, =" he replied IF
were to do that. it would prove at
once that you were right in the ridic
uIous conclusion you have come TO-
If / gave up my friendship for Miss
Rane at your request, it would be tan
tamount to admitting that there was
something in it which required giving
mp
II do not think So" Lady Laura re-
turned Il would simply prove that
you love ne above all others, and thar
you would DO anything to make me
happy"
q would DO a great deal, certainly"
said the captain; but you may take
this answer once for all, Laura
shall never reIinquish my friendship
for Miss Bane. If you are wise, you
will never reopen the subject"
Lady Laura Wynyard looked at her
husband with eyes full Of wondering
pain That he could SO cOoIly dismiss
subject Of such vital interest to her
was Incredible Her whole future was
involved m this matter, and he had
put it aside as unworthy of discussion.
A vision seemed to pass before her or
the dead husband who had been so
kind to her, to whom her every wish
had been law, to whom her ightest
words had been of greatest conse-
quence. Were AngeIa's words really
true that she could not expect such
love twice in one lifetime? At last her
surprise found voice.
"Vance," she said, you cannot speak
earnestly I, your wife, come to you
with the happiness Of my whole life at
stake, holding my very heart in my
hands, and you dismiss the subject
that causes me concern as coOlly as
though we were discussing the
weather"
Captain Wynyard shrugged his
shoulders.
"My whole life is at stake" contin-
ded her ladyship. Il cannot live as
have been living; | can bear no
longer what ! have borne. | pray
you. dearest, give up that which has
come between us, and take me to your
heart again"
what nonsense, Laura!" he cried,
impatiently q am tired of it..
you must listen" she said. 4
have a claim upon your attention;
have right 10 speak. You are do
ing that which makes me unhappy,
and | have a right to ask you to give
up the cause of my unhappiness. on,
Vance. If YOU love me- make me hap
by! Give up Miss Rane! 1t is not
much to do for me-
Little as it is, Laura you may be
sure that shall not do il. shall
not scatter my friends like Chaf be-
fore the wind to please your ridiyu-
ioUs fanCics.'
Have you no pity for my pain"
she asked.
4 should have pity for a real pain;
but | have none for what is only
fancy"
viii you do nothing. Vance. 10
make me happier?" she asked, wi.t-
tully
Nothing of the kind to which YOU
refer" he answered, careIessly. 4
should never dream of giving up an
old friend for any such nonsense as
this, Laura
s.Wm YOU dance less with her,
vance," she asked The unhappy
lady seemed TO think that, if she
could win some small concession from
him. she might ultimately win all she
wanted.
No, | will not, Laura he replied.
will you devote yourself less to
aer. 50 as not to attract public atten-
tiou?" she asked again.
My dear Laura, in no single thing
will l change my present course OF
conduct, he answered. warmly.
Not even II it is likely to kill me-
he said
1T will not do that; and, if you die
Of it. your own folly will have killed
you
The frankly brutal words seemed to
stun her. She raised her pale. dazed
Eace TO his.
Il thought" she said, slowly. that
you would comply at once with my
wish: l thought you would kiss me
and comfort me, and tell me there
was no one half so dear to you as
I: | thought you would promise, for
my sake. to give up Gladys Rane.'
Your thoughts were all wrong" he
interrupted, sneeringly.
Yes they were I am sorry you
do not love me as much as
thought you did" she went on. 4 see
that | am not the first object in the
70 oh no oT.irG Q