Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-01-06
Continued.


TIf 7 had not heard all this non
sense said the captain, L could
never have believed that any woman
could be so weak, so foolish, so ridic-
-7lously Jealous. I am astOnished at
YOU. though it is true never gave you
credit for being strong-mindeo. Jeal-
ousy is ridiculous at all times; but II
is doubly ridiculous when it exists
without cause"
Can you say truthfully, Vance, that
NV jealousy is without cause?" asked
the distressed wife.
81 say so clearly and distinctly; 1t
an absurd folly, an absurd fancy"
eeYou do not really love Gladys
Rane?" she asked.
4 consider the question an insult!
me exclaimed.
"Then, Vance, if you do not love her,
if you do not take an undue interest III
her. why not make me happy by CIV
yng uD the greater part Of your init
Macy" re-.
because I will net, he replied. If
7 we're to do that, it would prove at
once that you were right in the ride
u1o7Is conclusion you have come to.
IF 7 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
up"
az do not think so,' Lady Laura re-
turned. It would simply prove that
YOU love me above all others, and thai
YOU would do anything to make me
happy" :,
81 would do a great deal, certainly
said the captain; 'but you may take
this answer once for all, Laura
shall never relinquish my friendship
for Miss Rane If you are wise, you
will never reopen the subject"
Lady Laura Wynyard looked at her
husband with eyes full of wondering
main That he could so cOolly dismiss
a subject of such vital interest to her
was incredible Her whole future was
involved in this matter, and he had
nut it aside as unworthy of discussion.
A vision seemed to pass before her CT
fhn dead husband who had been SO
kind to her. to whom her every wish
had been law, to whom her highest
words had been of greatest conse-
.ouence. Were Angela's words really
true. that she could not expect such
dove 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
bands, 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-
ned her ladyship. II cannot live as
I have been living; I can bear no
longer what I have borne. I pray
you, dearest, give up that which has
come between us, and take me to your
neart again"
What nonsense, Laura!" he cried,
imnatientIy II am tired Of it."
"You must listen," she said Il
have a claim upon your attention; I
have a right to speak. You are do
ing that which makes me unhappy,
and I have a right to ask you to give
up the cause of my unhappiness. Oh,
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 1 shall not do it. I shall
not scatter my friends like chaff be-
fore the wind to please your ridicu-
lo-g fancies.
Have you no pity for my pain?"
she asked.
Il should have pity for a real pain;
but I have none for what is only a
fancy"
"Will you do nothing, Vance, to
make me happier?" she asked visit
fully
Nothing of the kind to which you
refer" he answered, carelessly. 81
SuOulu never vi call Vi SlNluS up dill
old friend for any such nonsense as
this, Laura"
win you dance less with her,
Fance?" 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
mo, I will not, Laura" he replied.
will you devote yourself less to
her, so as not to attract public atten-
tion?" she asked again.
My dear Laura, in no single thing
will I change my present course of
conduct" he answered, warmly.
Not even if it is likely to kill me?"
she said
1T will not do that; and, if you die
of it, your own folly will have killed
you"