Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-05-16
CHAPTER XI.

Between eight and nine o'clock Grace
had specified as the hour when her hus-
band might call-and the French clock
on the mantel of her private parlor at
Wizards Hotel chimed the half hour
sharply as he was ushered in by an OBJ
sequious waiter. A child was toddling
uncertainty across the floor, jingling in
its baby hand that infantile source of de-
light, an ivory RATHER, with multitudinous
silver bells attached thereto. One search
ing glance, and Paul Winans had his
child in his arms, clasped close to his
hungry, aching heart.
The unhappy mother entering at that
moment with pride and reserve sitting
regnant on her brow, reeled backward at
that sight, with quivering lip, and pale
hands clasped above her wildly throb-
bing heart 1t was but for a moment
AS he turned to the rustic of her silken
robe, with their child clasped in one
strong arm, she came forward slowly,
very slowly, but standing before him at
last with bowed head and hands clasped
loosely together.
ooh, my husband" she breathed, in
low, intense accents, you have scorned
all words of mine, turned away from me
with my defense unheard-let the pure
love of our innocent babe plead for its in
nocent mOtherp'
1t was like the low plant for forgive
ness from a wayward child that comes
sobbing home to it's mother with it's small
fault to contestant she was so child
like, so very young, so very wretnhed.
A sharp thrill of agonized pity and self
reproach made his firm lip culver as he
looked down at her, fiery love and hate
struggling in his soul. A wild impulse to
clasp her to his bosom-to crush against
his sore heart all that pale yet glowing
beauty, for one moment rushed over him.
to be sharply dispelled by the memory of
his jealous vow, and he answered hot,
but gazed on her for speeches. moments.
marking with eyes that had hungered
weary months for a sight OF, her, every
separate charm that distinguished this
fatally fairest of women.
You will not even answer mer' she
moaned, at last.
1T needs not his love to plead your
cause, Grace" he answered. IN heart
wrung accents. while | thought that
your only fault was in deceiving ne be-
fore our marriage, my own love pleaded
increasingly for you, my every effort was
directed to the destruction of my fiery
jealousy and anger toward you. l was
succeeding. The message | sent you by
Captain Clendenon was the outgrowth
of that milder mood. In all probability
| should soon have returned to you-glad
to call you mine, even though | knew you
to have once loved another. How little
| knew of the dark reality! how little
dreamed of your deception until l saw
you here to-day-with himw
ooh! not with him. she cried, in in
dignant denial-"oh. not with him! I
had met him but that moment, and by
the merest accident. Paul, was l to
blame for thatT
Mamma, pretty mammal lisped the
baby, reaching his arms to her in vague
alarm at the papa who was grieving her
so, and, with cold Difference, he laid him
in his mothers arms, as he answered:
Not to blame for meeting him acct
dentally of course, Grace; but you were
to blame for stopping him. for clinging
to him, for looking into his eyes as you
did, knowing what you did of the feel
ings existing between himself and me
deeply to blame"
II was frightened" she pleaded. 81
did not think-it would have happened
just the same had it been a stranger, and
not Mr.. Conway"
"Ah, no.' he sneered. beside himself
with jealous passion. Il have learned,
too late, that your marriage with me was
one of ambition and pride. There was
love in the look you gave him, Grace
such love as you have never accorded
me-"
He was walking excitedly up and down
the floor, never even glancing at her.
She sighed bitterly, pillowing her burn
ing cheek against her child, as though to
gather strength before she spoke again.
You are mistaken; it was fright,
| OIL foolish NOT lnvAs