Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-05-05

trick of the folded hands were hers!
Joan's. His heart stood still, his face
grew white; what mad fancy was this
that was fooling him?
| A feeling of weakness took pos.
session of him, and he had to put UP
his hand against the wall to keep him.
self from falling.
Slowly, with downcast face, she
approached him. So near now that he
moved she must see him! At that
moment she stopped and picked a
spring flower, then on rising turned
/ her face to him, and with a cry thar
seemd to leap from his tortured heart
] he moved forward and called her
! name: joan"
| She started, dropped the flower, and
clasped her hands over her heart; and
so these two stood and looked at each
other.
Trembling like a leaf, white to the
lips, he held out his quivering hands
That it was a vision, he was con
WINGED. His mind, over-strained, had
given way; he was mad, mad, mad
Yes, that was it. 1t was the fieeting
vision of lunatic! And yet-oh
Heaven.-how real she seemed, II
was Joan, the Joan of old, and yet
more beautiful, more sweet, more
lovable than ever,
ooh, Heaven!" he cried, at last
J hoarseiy. Il am mad! And yet
whoever you may be, answer me!
You are like-one-I used to know
and loved! For Heavens sake answer
me-"
Joan, pale and trembling, raised hel
eyes.
81 am Joan Ormsby, Lord villiars,
she said.
"Ah, no, no." he cried, in terrible
voice. do not deceive me! 1t is
some trick! My Joan is dead-deaJ!'
and at the voice so full of agony, Joan
put her hand to her heart, that seemed
breaking in sympathy with his.
Il am not dead she said. 81 am
Joan. Yes, the wretched dupe you
once called yours. Lord Villiars
what have you to say 10 me?"
"Not-dead!" he cried, hoarsely
LET me touch youl Speak again.
Oh, God, alive and not dead!"
She stood before him, a plying
light softening the severity of heI
gaze.
Il am Joan Ormsby-I am Ida
CHI
come to see me, and l am here"
He stepped forward and caught her
in his arms, the tears running down
his face. For a moment she rested
against his breast quiescent, then she
struggled from the chain he had form
ell round her.
"This-this is an INSULT" she
painted. Have you forgotten the
wrong you sought to do me, Lord
Villiars?"
Forgotten! Wrong," he echoed
wildly. What is it you say? Be
patient with me, Joan! My brain
whirls--my hearts on fire! Be
patient"
She stood and looked at him.
Il am Joan Ormsby," she said, try
ing to speak coldly. .You wished &c
see met"
AS she spoke she moved towards
the window and entered the room
and, half blindly. he followed her.
1t was she who was composed, she
the woman; he, the man, who was al
distraught.
Joan, Joan! Alive!" he kept muir
muring, his thirsting eyes devouring
her.
Now" she said, standing beside
the fire and raising her eyes to his
what have you to say to me?"
He was silent, leaning against the
table, his hands shaking.
"Am to speak?" she said, in a low
clear voice. BE it so. You are today
Lord Villiars, to relinquish to me that
which is mine by law and right. Is
that so?"
He inclined his head 1t seemed as
| if he only half heard and understood.
Il am Joan Ormsby, the grand
daughter of the Earl of Arrowhead
This estate is mine, the wealth you
have owned and misspent is mine
This will eiveS IL to me"