Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-11-17

A Broken Wedding Ring
4
By Bertha VI. Clay.

upon his.
81 prayed to Heaven for deliver
ance,' she said, 'and you have
brought it. 1 accept your Offer
With a bitter cry, Martin Ray
turned to her. There was dignity in
the sorrow of his voice and face.
''You make your Observation-Disclosures
ly and-wilfully, Leah?'
Il make it of my own free will,
father. | would have chosen death
rather than the life you mapped out
for me-"
Loving arms were placed around his
neck; loving beautiful face was laid
against his.
81 will never leave you, father"
said Hettie. 81 will give my life to
you"
So for some minutes they stood
the general with his arm thrown
round Leah, as though for that
moment he would shield her from all
harm, and from every one; Hettie
clasping her fathers neck, her face
wet with tears.
81 accept your offer, uncle" said
Leah, in a calm, clear voice; "and l
shall always believe that Heaven
sent you to me-
81 will never leave you, father!"
cried Hettie. my love shall make up
to you for the loss Of Leah's!"
II do not say that l shall cease to
love my fatheT-yOu have no right to
imply such a thing, Hettie-but can
not refuse to take advantage Of my
uncie's kindness!"
81 will never leave you, father
darIing!" cried the younger girl.
''The more they say against you, the
more l will love you. l do not be
Iieve any of the. accusations against
you, and l love you with all my
heart" 1t was beautiful to see the
light Of her face, the love in her eyes,
the childish passion Of wounded pride
with which she chung to him, the
tenderness with which the little white
hand stroked and caressed. 81 would
not leave you, DEAR" she repeated
IF he would make me queen of the
whole world. l believe all that you
believe. I will never be false to you
Nothing shall ever take me from you. .
He was a pOlitician-he had never
considered himself a religious man
indeed his ideas on religion were
. worse and lower than his ideas on
politics; yet he bowed his face on the
golden heau for some few minutes
and words not often on his lips came
from them. Then he turned to the
- UUu6r TWO.
7
You hear" he said; there is one
y faithful to me. You may take the
,, other. II give her to you!"
Il could never lead the life you
want me to lead, father-never," re
: marked Leah ''and how would you
have borne with me had l refused
Do not think that my heart is not
. rent
you need say no more!" crieo
Martin Ray. Have we not heard
= how sharper than a serpent's tooth it
is to have thankless child? have
no son, and | rested my pride, my
hopes, my ambition on you; and you
have heartlessly deserted me for a
stranger who despises me-"
Il cannot believe as you believe.
. father, or think as you think. We
must have parted sooner or later; l
could not have borne my lot, now that
am beginning to understand you
Hetties arms clasped him even
more tightly.
Never mind, father. I will make it
all up to you. | will die to save you
from pain. She will tire soon, and
come back to YOU
'Never!" he cried, his face afame
with anger Stand away from me,
Hettie! Let me see the child so
ready to leave me and give up the
love Of years at the bidding of a
stranger!"
Hettie drew back, and at that
moment she knew in her heart that
his best and dearest love had been
given to the daughter who had de,
serted lin.
LET me look at her!" he cried.
'She has deserted me and gone over
to my enemies!"
Il have simply given up a life
which has never been tolerate to me,
and which grows more unbearable
every day. 1 shall love you always,
father; but shall never share youl
principles"
His face paled with anger.
"You speak braveIy enough now
that you know your words give me no
concern. 1 am justly punished, for in
my blindness I confess that 1 loved
you best. You must forgive me.
Hettie. l shall love but one daughter
now"
II have nothing to forgive; it was
natural that you should love Leah
best. Do not be angry with her. She
told me she did not care about the
life you wanted her to lead. Leah
loves everything beautiful, and she
wants to be loved. She does not care
for lectures and politics.
The simple words almost made the
| general smile; but there was no smile