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

some one to see me! SAID Beryi
Marsden, in a bewiIdered way, as she
looked up from her writing. What
name, James p
The gentleman would not give his
name, ma'am."
Gentleman! Her heart gave a quick
throb. One mad, wild hope seemed to
start into life with its startled beating
and show her what little thing might
still make her glad.
But the hope did not last a second. She
seemed to recognize how vain and value
less II was and TO push ii aside and rise
from her table just her ordinary calrn,
proud self But her hand was trembling
like a leaf.
al viii come" she said and it seemed
to her that her voice sounded faint and
far away-almost az if some one else
were speaking, and she listening.
She never knew how she reached the
library. Only in some strange. inexplica-
bic fashion she was there, looking at her
husbands face, and wondering why he
seemed so shamed and uncomfortable in
her presence.
''You--you did not expect me" he STAN
mered. "Of course not. | did not let
you know. T."
He stopped abruptly. Before that
calm. proud gaze his heart sank abashed.
This was no penitent or erring woman,
It seemed 10 him, but rather an accuser
before whom all subterfuge and pleas
looked pitiful and poor, and mean as he
himself.
Won't you say anything? Hang it
sar, Beryl, there have been faults an both
sides, and if I'm willing to forgive and
forget, you might do the same. After
all, you're my wife--nothing can alter
that, and though we haven't hit it sfl
very well hitherto. still we're both older
and wiser now; and"
MAY ask the drift Of all these re-
marks?
THE drift?' he muttered stupidity
'WeIl, can't you see what / mean? I'm
sorry treated you as l did. You didn't
deserve il, 1 know, but l was in trouble
at the time, and worried TO death, and
It's not a pleasant thing Tor a man Il
hear that his wife is carrying on with
some other fellow, and you can't deny
there was something more than friend
ship between you and Capt. Grant, anC
-"
Again he paused. He had met her eyes
anu euF&E N0iA EplksA4tRNs iAAG&f SttE ~
rejection Of his excuses, siienced tbs
words on his lips.
II always thought" she said speakin.
slowly and distinctly, so that each wore
seemed to fall en- his ear with cuttin.
force: Il always thought that it was
husbands duty to shield and protect hi
wife. You-yOu threw me heartlessl,
into the midst Of temptation, and when
claimed your aid, cut me adrift as thougl
had been the vilest woman living. D.
You think she went on, her voice losini
its calmness. and vibrating with the in
tensity of passionate emotion: do yo
think woman's heart can bear to b
starved Of love always? Do you thin
she can always be strong enough to bea
back iongings for sympathy, kindness
trust? What was my life after my chi
dren died. an3-heayen help me!-whor
have | to thank for their death? If yo
had had heart at all. you might hav
felt for me then; but you did not: yo
never cared for what l suffered, you onl
called ii sentiment"
Il know" he said gioomiy. But yo
forget what heard"
And who told youf" she cried wit
sudden ferceness. a spy, a traitor
mean cur WHO mates me. ahd Is lNQ
Grants bitterest foe. 4 man who wa
q stranger TO yourself and yet whol
you chose to believe against your wifi
You believed him, yea cast me from yu,
and now. after three years, you come
ask my-forgiveness. What is your oi
ject?'
The question was so unexpected tn.
fl took him off his guard, He bega
90 buster and fume as he had been wol
to do when his wife had seemed to hi
only superior form of slave, to rule. al
thwart and govern. as the fancy seiz,
him.
1T is too late for that now. John
she said calmly Il used to obey "
readily enough when | deemed it Il
duty Yon forget that it was you vi
east me Off
Il had every right"
Then" she said, very quietly. "if "
have deemed me guilty for three year
why are yen suddenly convinced Of Il
innocence? / have brought M proofs.
stand before you now as l stood the
Forgive me. if I say the change is t
startling 10 appear altogether disintt
eestcd"
al knew you're a sensible woman. al
II am willing to overlook the past. vi
shouldn't you meet me half wayE Why
he went on. warming to the subject. al
feeling glow OF conscious rectitude tn
showed him the full magnaBimity Of
conduct in the present instance, WI