Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-10-01
CHAPTER Xxi.

1t Is my NlIe. MS - IVA -"
sin has found me out"
As these words fell from the lips OF
Lawrence Richmond he stood as If rooted
TO the spot The woman who HVed IN
the haunted mill raised her head proud
iy and her eyes were looking into MS so
that be found himself gazing speechlessIy
upon the face Of that wife whom he had
not seen in all the years that had passed
since he dro re her away from him with
curses that we're to be 50 bitterly repent
.ed-curses thar were to come back home
To roost-curses that had ever since re-
maiued in his memory like plague spots,
and which would not be erased though at
times they almost set him crazy.
The burnt mortgage was still smolder-
ing upon the little fire, but he had com
pletely forgotten it in the excitement stu
more intense produced by this astounding
discovery.
He had wronged this woman terribly
in the past, in manner that had shock
cd him whenever he thought of it-for he
had afterward learned that she was as
innocent as an angel and had searched for
her. but she could not be found, and the
old doubts crept over mis- mind again, OBJ
scuring it-and in that dread moment he
only saw what a splendid chance for re-
veh.> had come to her.
Should she so desire she could crush
him with a single blow. Thrs was why
the feeling of horror had entered his
brain as he stood there, still clutcmng her
white wrist so hercely.
Then there flashed upon his mind the
aa.e act and words Of the noble woman,
ana dis eyes almost unconsciously were
turned upon the FIRE where the document
was still smodering, though past reeoY-
cry.
NV wife," he muttered, my wife
come back TO me from the dead? Oh,
/ am dreaming. This is some horrid
4aunting specter. My wife is dead and
/ am her murderer
He groaned with mental anguish, and
il stirred the womans heart 10 its full
depth to hear the man whom she had new
er ceased to love thus exhibit his terrible
suffering.
Not so. Lawrence. You see before you
the unhappy woman who Was once your
wife. The years have come and gone
since last we stood face TO face, years of
suffering to me. and yet have patiently
awaited the win of heaven. Perhaps
there may be more in this meeting than
we either of US imagine"
Not dead. not dead" he muttered,
with hrzhed breath, as he gazed eagerly
upon her. ooh, then heaven has heard my
nrayer. He has sent you to me that the
last act of my life should be my atone
mem to you. There, see me kneeling at
Your feet. with the pride. the cursed pride
that ruined my life and yours, trampled
down forever Oh, can you forgive me
for the past. my wretChed mistake which
! have deplored in tears of blood ever
since? / know I DO not deserve it, hut
if you could only forgive me it would be
the act Of an angel. Pity me, pardon
me"
He had sunk az her feet in abjcct mis-
cry. His mind was once more cleared oi
all doubts. She was deeply affected by
Chis evidence Of his contriton, and hel
whole frame trembled. while the tear.
streamed down her checks.
-Kneel not 10 me. Lawrence. for wha
sin You committed against me- has long
long since been forgiven. My act of
minute ago proves that ! have neyc
ceased to love You. Ask the great Mas
ter above to forgive you, but do not knee
TO me-"
''Oh. woman, every word you ute
sinks me into an abyss of shame. Sc
myself a fool, a knave. 4 brute an
not worthy to touch the hem of Your gar
ment. May heaven bless you-aul for
give me-" he moaned.
She made him rise. even assisted hin
and, weak and trembling, he sank bac
into a chair almost Incapable of motion
The fierce will. the strong frame. the
E, emed withered up by the mad force q
this demon remorse.
"Oh. Lawrence. | thank heaven fc
bringing us face TO face again. ! hay
with me proofs that will dispel all thos
terrible charges of the past
Peace" he said, interrupting her,
would not look upon one of them for
kings raDsom. Oh, did | not find out II
truth for myself? Has it not been th
consciousness Of this that has pierced m
heart like a knife at times, rendering II
almost malf Wife. wife. have atone
IN suffering for my sin"
Il believe it. Lawrence. What | hay
suTc-ed shall remain sealed within m
heart; you can imagine it; but never wi
You hear the story from my lips. tn
most bitter blow of all came to me whe
] heard that in your anger you had al
piled for and received the decree of
@arce-that l was no longer your wife