Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-01-27

suddenly the captain stopped before
little group-stopped with a cry of
pleasure that he hoped sounded as if
he were surprised. Looking up, her
ladyship saw before her the dark, fas-
cinating face of Gladys Rane, flushed
with delight, her dark eyes shining
like stars. Lady Laura turned pale,
her heart seemed to stop beating.
Her husband introduced her to the
friends who were with Miss Rane, and
she acknowledged the introduction
with a formal bow. She could not
speak. She saw as in binding glare
the smiling face and shining eyes
that were riveted on her husbands
face; she heard as in a dream ar
rangements being made for driving
that afternoon. She heard her own
name mentioned, but she did not know
who uttered it.
So this was the secret of her hus-
hands desire to see Brighton, of his
kindness to her! He wished to keep
on good terms with her that he might
the better enjoy the society OF her
rival
Gladys Rane, withdrawing just
little from the group, held out her
daintily gloved hand and smiled fas-
cinating, triumphant smile, as she
said:
'sWhat a charming surprise, Lady
Laura! How much better you are
looking! When did you Gomez"
Angela, seeing the agitation under
which her mother labored, fastened to
the rescue.
'tMy mother is not SO well as we
could wish her." she replied. We
came on Tuesday, but we shall not
make a long stay. Dear mamma,
she added, turning to her mother,
you must not stand in this hot sun;
it will not do you any good
walk to the end of the pier,
Laura put in the captain, in what he
intended to be a careless, good-hu-
mored voice. 81 will join you direct
ly;" and, with bow to his wife, he
followed Miss Rane in the opposite di-
rection.
"Angel," gasped Lady Laura, Il
think my heart will break under this!
Let us sit down; I cannot walk"
They sat for some minutes in 81
lence; then she turned to her daugh-
ter:
"He knew she was here, Angel"
81 am afraid so, mamma" replied
the girl, full of pity for the suffering
she saw in her mothers face.
When they had rested some time,
Lady Laura said:
"They are out of sight, Angel.
shall not wait for the captain; must
go home
Two hours later the captain re-
turned to the hotel, full Of good humor
and high spirits. Hastily and some
what noisily he entered his wife's
room.
$50 many invitations, Laura!" he
began; but the words died on his lips.
His wife stood before him, tall and
stately. proud and defiant, as he had
never seen her before, her face un-
naturally pale and her blue eyes flash
ing fire.
"You knew that woman was coming
here she broke in.
What woman?" he asked.
"Gladys Rane," she replied. "You
knew that she was coming, and you
came here to meet her.!
He WINGED for moment under the
straightforward charge, then laughed,
contemporary
what if | did," he retorted. ''In
marrying you did not renounce my
freedom. I can surely go where like
and meet whom I will"
"You have no right to meet a wom-
an who does her best to take your
heart from me-"
Heart" sneered the captain.
''What nonsense! / have no heart.
"That is indeed true" said her lady
ship; "and that is why you care so
little how cruelty you wound the
hearts of others. You cannot deny it,
Vance, that you came to Brighton on
purpose to meet Miss Rane. All that
you said about liking the place, all
| your show OF kindness to me, Was an
excuse-a piece of hypocricy from be-
ginning to end"
WELL what if it were?" he asked
| indifferently.
"You do not deny it?" she asked in
return.
IT neither deny nor affirm it, Laura.
I leave you to think and decide what
you will. If you intend by all kinds
of jealous fancies and absurd suspi-
cions to spoil what might be pleas
ant visit, you are at perfect liberty
to do So. But let me give you a word
| of warning. You have seen only one
side of my character as yet. Do not
| try me too far. The tragedy-queen
business is a kind of thing 1 would
not bear from any woman in the
world, and, therefore, if you are wise,
you will never repeat it.
| In the ferce-spoken man whose face