Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-12-24

for him to have found me out so soon.
And now it's a pretty state Of things, |
ism it? A wife has to pinch and
starye and worry for tIis wretched
fellow to enjoy himself with "a
Heavens. it makes me hate Ned, that
it dOes!"
why don't you speak to him?"
81 did try last night, and he flew
into a rage, and said his Wife's
aversion and Lady Kildonan's cold
coquetries drove him mad, and he must
get a vent to his feelings his own
way"
Lady Kildonan's coquetries! He
said that, did he?"
yes. I told him she ought to ne
ashamed of herself, and he grew sud-
denly quiet, as he always does if her
name is mentioned, and he said she
was an angel Of goodness and purity,
and had stood by him again and again.
Well, I could only say she'd better
nave stood away from him, and after
that we both spoke at once, and it
was all up with argument; and the
end was l have to CO."
We'll, but is it right? What will
her life be without your"
perhaps I've been with them too
long. 1t doesn't do for young wife
to look for sympathy to someone else
and not to her husband. I'm hoping
that when I'm gone, and there's no
body to smooth over the breaks and
the pauses, that they'll draw nearer
together; else I would have made a
longer fight of it.
The warning-beIl had already rung,
and Alma was coming towards them,
making a valiant effort not to cry.
Uncle Hugh got into a smoking COM
partment, chattering to the very last,
and making a great fuss over the dis
pOsal Of his hat-box and rugs. But
when the train was starting, and he
had leaned out Of the carriage window
to give a last kiss to his little one,
there was tear on her veil which
by its position could not have come
from her eyes. And his last farewell
was very husky whisper.
When the train had crawled out of
the station Armathwaite spoke to
Alma, who remained standing on the
platform staring hopelessly after it.
MAY I put you into cab, Mrs.
CTosmont?"
She started, and began to move hur-
riedly away.
NO, thank you; shall walk back"
Il think you had better not" he
ventured humbly. Indeed she looked
too tired to stand "Will you come to
DR.. Peele's and see Miss Mile? She
is so much distressed at not having
seen you lately"
The suggestion seemed to brighten
her; she declined at once, and bow
ing to him with hasty Good morn
ing, hurried out of the station. After
few moments hesitation, Armath-
waite followed. Standing at the outer
door, he watched her as she started
on her way back to Mereside, and
saw at once she was quite unfit to
walk the four miles alone. A few
quick steps brought him up to her.
II am going some distance in this
direction, Mrs. Crosmont. May l have
the pleasure of walking with you
little way?" he said very diff1dently.
She was glad: he say it in her
eyes. Accommodating his pace to
hers he walked beside her, talking on
Indifferent subjects, and noting how
her steps grew slower and more
wavering until at last, before they
had gone half the distance, she was
fain to accept the support he offered.
The moment he felt the touch of her
hand within his arm his attempts to
make conversation ceased, while at
the same time his constraint disap-
peared. Perhaps it was the comfort
of feeling that, in humble and com
mOnplace way, he was able to render
her a little service; perhaps it was
really, as he thought, that by the
medium of physical contact the gentle
spirit which shone through her soft
eyes wrought with a soothing in
fuence upon his own mind; at any
rate they walked on silently, with the
slow steps adapted to her weakness,
until her house was in sight. Long
before this Armathwaite had found
out the cause of her refusal to drive
back from Branksome. In striking
contrast to the handsome fur-trimmed
mantle and neat little velvet bonnet
she wore were the shabby boots and
well-mended but worn gloves which
covered her feet and hands. The rea-
son was plain; the mantle and bonnet
were part of her wedding trOuSSaau
and being only worn during one sea
son of the year, they lasted we'll But
boots and gloves, perishable things in
the secret that they also dated from
need of constant renewing, betrayed
the same period. She was absolutely
penniless.
This fact, brought under his notice
in such a striking manner, caused
Armathwaite to ponder on the con-
tTast between the two women who. II
the facts which pointed that way were
correct, had both been forced to make /
most humiliating sacrifices for a man !
whom the young Yorkshireman, in MS |
indignation, was ready to pronounce |
q mere soulless clown. He supposed !
that old Mr.. Dightons injunction to +
Lord kildonan. not to allow his wife
any money, was the result of eX- !
perience as to the quarter to which !
any money she might have would go; .
but the slight inconvenience which !
this deprivation caused the spoilt |
Lady kildonan, and the sacrifice she !,
said she had made Of her jewels,