Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-05-08

| sS sAoohcu, WihSihS hVt uahus
wildly.
did you have any when you so
coolly turned me down to stay in the
mine. while upon my shoulders you
mounted to position In society and
gave yourself to man you never
loved? know all you would say, and
be sure. have steeled my heart against
all arguments. What seek is only
justice-a fair equivalent. have suf-
fered. God only knows how much 1t Is
your turn"
He looked like man of stone, upon
whom pleading and tears would be
wasted
Fedora attempted neither at first
she seemed to act and speak as IL In q
dream, for his influence. whatever 1t
sprang from, dominated her personali-
ty to a remarkable extent
| Had 1t been SO in those days of yore
Fedora would never have willingly Civ
en- him up.
You speak Of heaven in the same
breath with yengeance--surely you
cannot believe. Jack, that God ap-
proves of such things. | did wrong
you, OH most grievously; but have
bitterly repented it ever since. and
hoped the day might come when
could ten you so. Often have wept to
remember your despair. II has been
the one black spot upon my life, and
kept me from being truly happy. Bot,
Jack. won't you forgive IL you csn
never forget-see, plead with yeal
hold this wretched remembrance no
longer against me. Be my friend, my
brother You already respect my hus-
band; why be the means OF his ruin 2"
While / cannot forget. | must not
forgive. You have not yet begun to
know what suffering means. When
the world seems dark and your soul
prays for death"
| But, Jack, stop; consider; you can
not have revenge upon me without in
juring my children" she said, sudden
ly remembering his weakness of old,
and how a child had never appealed in
vain so long as he had sou left.
This was harder task than the 9TH
er, and the indomitable marquis was
compelled to grit his teeth In the en-
deavor to stem the signs of retreat that
threatened to overwhelm him.
Il regret exceedingly that they must
suffer. for am not that cruel to desire
through their hold on your heart to in
fict pain on you; but as |, an innocent
party, once paid the penalty of your
sin, so they, too, must inherit the leg
acy."
rs there no way in which you may
be satisfied without the burden falling
on them?"
81 know of none. They must suffer
when you do, all being members of
one family. 1t is fate
Jack. have mercy,-see, on my
knees l beg you to forgive. 1t is true I
wronged you most fearfully. God
knows. ! am wretchedly sorry. But out
| of that wrong has come your bright
fortune, and. perhaps, Jack, some more
worthy woman may fill the place in
| your heart once occupied. Forget the
past and live for the future. Grasp
them before they have flown. Rise
| above this spirit of revenge upon a
weak, wretched woman, who in her
! thoughtlessness did you harm and
lived to repent Already you have as
| you say brought ruin upon US, and
| cast US out from society For that I
care little; but for Gods sake. leave
me the love of my husband. my chill
| dren."
1t was enough to melt heart OF ice.
and reason combined with emotion in
the argument. Had not the marquis
threshed this same straw himself nj.
most daily-had it been thrust sudden
| ly upon him. he must have been fairly
overwhelmed.
1t was not his design that Fedora
should see any sign of weakness in his
manner, and he maintained the same
passionless exterior he had shown
through the whole interview.
Il promise nothing. Only this I
say, that your children have doubtless
saved you from fate that might have
come upon you. do not relent, sim
ply change my tactics, and for their
sakes spare you that humiliation, tbat
shame. What further means of pun
ishnient | may decide to invoke you
will know in good time. AS you sowed
so must you reap. That Is the law of
recompense, of stern justice There
| fore, weep over your wretched lot, and
bitterly regret that false step in which
! you were tempted by pride. do not
dare remain here longer in your pres
ence. At least thank heaven that I
have decided to abandon the plan upon
which ! was working as unworthy OF
an honorable man.
"You are going, Jack?"
Eyes"
without seeing the children"
pressing button while he was not
looking.
"They remind me too bitterly Of
what you. their unhappy mother,
seemed to me in the long ago-all in
nocence and trusting love. No. don't
wish to see them now"
"Oh. Jack, be reconciled-I shall pray
daily that you cease to hate me, for the
sake OF those little ones. nd you
know the boys name is Jack?"
What" he gasped, weakening do
you mean to say your husband allowed
you to do that-and the man you
loved? Incredible!"
Il told him all. and 1t was he who
first proposed 1t. You don't know his
! generous nature. l can see now what
1t was SO disturbed him-you took his
fire and freely gave him his forfeited
life. Oh! wretched woman that | am
to have been loved by two such noble
men. and to have brought sorrow to
both. Who will deliver me from the
bondage OF my sim"
As II in answer to her forlorn cry the