Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-01-01
CHAPTER XIY-fContinued.l

CHATTER AlN.-tCOntlnued.J
Victor, with the intention of perusing
1he newspaper, repaired to the drawing
room, where he found Edith Stratmore
bowed over the writing table in de-
jected mood.
Edith, my dear little friend" he be-
gan, Fastening to her side, what causes
this sadness"
Alas, Mr.. Raymond, | cannot speak
cannot infiict this new pain upon you, -
she answered, tears coming to her eyes.
Have you heard anything concerning
Beatrice:" he inquired, and at once the
singular silence of DIR. Ralston stole to
his memory.
ooh, this deception! And from girl
dixie Beatrice! l loved her like sister.
No doubt whatever had found place in
my heart, but now have lost my trust
in her and in my whole sex. l cannot
understand how Beatrice could abandon
you for Count Bozcll Their marriage is
sensationally mentioned in the newspa-
persY'
Victor Raymond staggered as drunk
en- man and finally secured a chair.
"Oh, Mr.. Raymond please forgive me!
q did not mean to hurt your feelings.
tried to break it to you as gently as l
could. Please forgive me!' Edith re-
peatedly exclaimed, terrified by his pal
Did face and helpless attitude.
DO you speak the truth? | must not
doubt YOU Edith, know, but-where is
fhe paperF
Trembling, he grasped the printed page
and found his happy future dreams shat
tered by the actions of a woman, whom
me had worshiped, even idolized, as
higher being. 1t read:
"Married-Count Ludwig Bozell, of
'Westleigh and Observation-Disclosures AL
benson, daughter of the late Sir knight
Otto G.. Albenson, at London, goth inst,
at st. Paul's Cathedral"
Utter silence reigned for some time.
Victor Raymond, with almost superhu-
man effort, tried to regain his compos-
mre.
Edith" he finally managed to gasp,
"even this may be a trick to deceive me.
please give me your assistance by de-
manding a copy of the marriage record
from the church register Only when |
see that will believe it-not until them
''If | should ever become betrothed to
man, would with that his trust may
be as sacred as yours is in Beatrice"
she said, solemnly, going to the writing
desk and inditng a letter according to
'Victor's dictation.
After that, feverish and excited, Vic
tor was anxiously longing for the hour
that would either remove his doubts or
Danish the whole structure of his hopes
1.-Two days passed, but his restless mind
quickly measured this space of time, and
HE only lived for the moment that would
reveal his destiny. He earnestly endeav-
ored to conceal his agony from the loving
eyes of his parents and friends. In ST.
lence he counted the minutes every morn
ing before the mail arrived and stood
Epeechless when he was disappointed.
DIR. Ralston and Edith observed him
closely, knowing his great mental conflict
by his cleaning eyes and firmly compress
ed lips On the third morning the mail
carrier handed Victor a letter. Entering
the library he hesitated to open it, fear
ing some dreadful revelation, and stared
into vacancy for few moments, but at
last the ardent desire compelled him to
peruse it, In distinct letters were the
words:
Count Bozell and Beatrice Albenson."
1t was not delu9ion--no, there it was
sn black and white. Who dared to doubt
the truth of the genuineness of the mar
xiage now? Victor seemed to lose the
power of feeling and reasoning. Mo-
tioness and painless he sat there in the
chair, gazing into the vacant future
which appeared neither to possess sun
shine nor happiness. His existence was
outlived, nothing~left to hope for, to de-
sire; he lost the cheerfulness of his soul
with the remembrance of Beatrice. How
long he remained in this lethargy he did
not know. When he lifted his eyes to
was to see Edith close at his side. She
did aot ask any questions, only laid her
hand on his shoulder, with a questioning
look.
1T is true, Edith" he finally spoke.
but heaven knows loved her as only
a man once cant" Not one word of re-
proach escaped his lips against the wom-
an he thought had deceived him.
There is not another man in this
world who is as sublime as he" thought
Edith. HE would follow her to the
end of the world Would that he loved
me So" was her secret thought.
Edith's love for Victor was as strong
for him as Beatrice's, aud yet his heart
would never pulsate any quicker for her.
Her love could never find responsive
chord
Neither Victor nor Edith mentioned
yhe contents of the letter. The grieved
features of the patient plainly indicat-
ed the end of his dream, although he APP
peared collected while in the presence of
friends. One day, little later, his par
ents, with Count Stratmore and his wife,
were seated before the fireplace conyers-
fng.
81 think" said Gen. Raymond, that
my son cannot feel happy at Easton after
abe past events, and | myself have con-
eluded to leave"
Please locate here" urged Count
Stratmore with great enthusiasm. Your
company would be liked and we could
mutually enjoy the long pleasant even
Sings"