Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-06-04

man can't feel exactly pleased when the
woman who's sworn to love and obey
him takes it into her head to carry on
Irritation with another man. She's her
husbands property, and she's bound to
respect his wishes"
"And you think l carried on a~-firta-
tion-with Ivor GrantT
"Of course / do. Come. you can't de-
ny it yourself"
She turned cold and bitter, and con-
temptuous once again.
And you are going to forgive me my
'fiirtationY You have travelled all these
miles to tell me so? How can thank
you"
His dull eyes looked at her amazed by
this sudden change. He could not com
prehend her. The woman who had been
the slave Of his eaprices was very differ
ent to this calm, scornful queenly crea-
ture, whose eyes seemed to read the pitt
full pretenses Of his narrow soul, to gauge
the shallow depths Of his nature, and see
him for what he was-the weak tool OF
stronger and more designing mind.
Perhaps" she went on presently, le
same kind friend who informed yoG OF
my misdemeanors has also thought prop
or to inform you of my repentance-to
suggest that it was fitting opportunity
for reconciliation. Am / rightp'
II don't know what you're driving at,
he said sulkily. Most women in your
position would be glad enough to have
a chance of reinstating themselves in
the eyes of the world"
Would theyT she said calmly. But
then, you see. the world is so little to me;
the world Of which you form part, moth
ing"
''You are frank" he growled savagely.
"The world ought always to be some
thing TO woman, unless she's too bad to
care for the opinion of her own sex, or
the contempt Of mine"
1.-The contempt of-yours would be
very hard to bear" she said with her
quiet smile; but it is quite possible TO
avoid il. | have not found it trouble me
much these past three years"
"Ah, OF course you think you're very
clever and independent. and all that" he
irritation. But book-writing is no great
matter; everyone does it nowadays, and
you can't live by it,"
II think l can she answered in the
same quiet, level tone. II have had to
do it for some time past; you appear to
forget that"
Come, come, don't LET US begin to quar-
rel again. I've not behaved well. but
you must make allowances. Say you'll
he friends and We'll try and make a bet
ter thing of our lives in the future than
we've done in the past"
He held out his hand, but involuntarily
she shrank away. He saw the gesture,
aud his eyes grew evil ana cruel.
You must come" he said IN a low,
repressed voice, if wish"
Il doa't love you" she cried, holding
out her hands as il to ward him off. Il
never did. / cannot go back to you as
your wife-I cannot. Oh, don't ask NE
don't ask me9'
You used to have strong notions of
duty once" be said with a sneer. What
has become OF them all 7"
Perhaps you killed them-perhaps
they lie in my ehildren's grave" she said
with faint sob. There seems such a
gulf between what my life was then and
what it is now"
THE sooner you get over all that SEN
timent and nonsense the BETTER" he said
brusunely. ut can't do you any good,
and it can't alter facts. / only want you
to live under my roof, You shall have
liberty enough. / promise you, in every
other way. Its surely better than spong-
ing on the charity of other people,
What was the change that came over
the white face and swaying figure? He
could not tell. He could not even be
quite sure that there had been a change,
50 quickly it passed, so impossible it was
to define.
''You-you are sure that is all?" she
said. mo pretense of affection, or--or
/ interest. only duty-bare duty that will
/ content youY"
Most certainly it will. I'm not a sen
/ timental fool like YOU"
! Then" she said, laying her hand on
her heart as if to stifie some pain that
hurt her there. II viii do what you
wish"
"Good-by. then" he said, in a strained,
bewidered sort Of way; Pm glad you've
/ turned sensible at last. I'll write and lei
you know my arrangements"
| The door closed. She was alone. Hell
eyes wandered over the room. noting ia
miliar objects with a strange sense OF un-
! familiarity. The suffocating pressure al
her breast seemed to throb like fire, and
yet % weigh like lead. She half rose
and pressed her hands to her heart as il
to keep doS9 that awful pain. But II
rose and rose. il was at her throat now
struggling with her breath, strangling
her, fighting with her.
Don't DON'T she moaned: you hur'
me. can't give way-I daren't give
way; must bear it just as have borne
! -~the-rest.'
She struggled to her feet now. Alon:
the oallcn hall came the sound OF steps
the echo Of voices. Children's voices
such as had once made the music OF hct
own life.
The look Of agony in her eyes was ter
rible 70 see. Inyoluutarily she threw II
her arms aud sank down on her knees b.
the couch.
Don't come here" she whispered
shuddering from head to foot. And, oh
don't laugh-don't ugh; it will drive m
mad"
CHAPTER XVIII.
IN effect" said Count Savona. ''yo
! cannot persuade her.
+ In effect, nay good friend. l cannot
] She is indignant, she is passionate, sh
! is incredulous; but, above all. she is OF
j stinate,"
And the lawyers cannot move any fur
Their without her2"
i NO, because she has the one pape
: they want
o Il knew that long ago" muttcred h