Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-03-18
lRENE'S vow
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.

~~-~--~-~-~~O~0-~~~~@-@-~~
| 1T IS a question of my nonor." she
said.
"A question Of nonsense" he replied.
You know quite w!ell that there is not
manageable man i'm England of whom
they do not say the same thing"
But that is circtmstantial; it enters
into detail. Is it true that Henden & Son
have received orders to decorate the
Mere?'
Yes" he answered. several weeks
since; that is true enough"
And it is for me, for you to take me
home there, is it not, Hulbert:'
There was something of sharp anguish
in her voice shat tcuchea 1am. and he
turned to ner with raressing gesture Of
his hans.
NO, she cried; ''do not touch me;
make this clear to n+e-tell me how you
will contradict it. Must a lie like this
IA lie tbat involves nay honOr-go abroad
to all the world WITHOUT contradiction?
My dear Irene, do not be so very i'm
petuous. | am very patient, as a rule,
but | cannot stand too much imperu-
osity."
You do not seem 70 remember that it
is a matter Of life or death for me-" she
cried. You are my husband l am your
WIZ. How, then. DO. they dare to cireu-
late this story that you are to marry an
other woman?'
The sweet voice thrilled with pain, but
did not falter; the beautiful face flushed
with fire and Indignation; he saw that
she was in no mood I'd be trifed with
What do you wish me to do?' he ask
ed, holly. This is i scene-and | hate
scenes-what do you wish me to do?"
Write, first of all: to contradict this
rumor. Say boldly that it is not true;
then make your marriage with me known
to the world. Wharler may have been
your motive for keeping it secret it can
not be so important as my honor. Listen,
Hubert, the honor of your wife demands
that you SHOULD do so"
Il do nos see it," he replied, coldly.
Hubert. have you ever loved this
Lady Lira: 2"
You are the only woman | have ever
loved, and you, know it, Irene" he re-
piled.
why have they connected the name
with yours?" she ASKED. "Why, if there
be no reason for it, should they say that
y0u are going to marry her rather than
anyone else?"
The sapient public have made up their
mind that it is to be "A match; and per-
haps they think it a suitable one. It so,
why need l interfere: Let us leave it
alone, Irene"
No" she replied; there are some
cases where to yield is madness. My
yielding now would be wrong. Write to.
this journal to express your surprise that
they should wantonly; insert what they
know to be untrue; secondly, write to the
lady-Lady Lira Gerant-say the same
thing to her, that so far as lies in your
power you apologize for the annoyance
this rumor must have 5caused her; then,
to prevent a repetition, of it, make your
marriage known to the world"
What if | decline any of these steps,
Irene?" he asked.
Then | shall take measures to defend
myself" she replied.
He laughed; and there was enough of
q sneer in his laugh to rouse all the pride
and anger within her.
What would you dq?" he asked
Write to the editor; first of all. then
10 Lady Gerant."
anger leaping in his face you dare
not. IreneP'
Il dare, and would7' she replied. II
love you with all my heart and soul, but
love honor more. | wculd write to Lady
Gerant and sag how sorry was to find
that such false rumor$ were circulated;
that l myself have the happiness of being
Sir Hubert Estmere's' wife, and that l
felt indignant at her name being used
at ALL"
"You would do that, Irene?" he said.
his face dead white with anger; you
would do it, after promising to keep the
secret of our marriage just as long as |
wished?'
II did promise that; but then there
was no question of such a thing as this.
consider now that my honor is at stake,
and is more dear to me than life."
do not provoke me too far, Irene, or
shall say that which we shall both wish
uaSaid."
She looked at him calmly.
Say what you will Hubert; do not
shrink from hearing what you do not
shrink from saying
You force me TO say that which | can
never unsay; that which we shall both
regret: that which | had vowed to my
self never TO tell you; but your own OBJ
stinacy forces il from me-"
She replaced the paper on the table and
stoo1 before him. calm, erect graceful.
although her face was quite colorless,
and her hands trembled.
You cannot have anything to say that
l need dread to hear. Tie greatest wrong
of my life was leaving home and friends
TO 20 with You; but ycu could not call
| that wrong; you could mot reproach me
with it, and have nothing else to fear"
You force it from me. Why are you
so obStinatey" he said; and she saw that
great drops stood on his forehead. while
his face was pale with emotion. You
defy me; yol provoke Hle; you dare me;
you will not believe what | say; you re-
fuse to trust me; now listen TO me. |
| hate the words; and MS speak them
own myself the greatest. villain under the