Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-11-02
CHAPTER XVI


With faint cry, Clara shrank back,
shuddering, whilst l stood motionless for
moment, transfixed with dismay, gaz-
ing upon our mutual enemy.
My appearance seems a pleasure
wore startling than agreeable" said
Judith, with that singing irony that
was to me worse clan her most tiendish
mood. Zone would suppose you were
about to leave the house without one
word of adieu to your host or hostess.
But we do not part with our guests so
easily"
Instinctively I had drawn near to
Clara, as though | wcdld protect her.
She had sunk into chair. trembling,
not daring to east a glance at judith,
who had now advanced into the room.
You do not seem to be aware, Miss
Clara, that this gentleman and l are
well acquainted. He has not told you
of our connection, l presumeW
'No, no; for heavens sake, do not tell
her, If you have any mercy, | inplore
your ! interrupted, throwing myself up
on my knees before her
I might as well have pleaded to a
hungry tigress. Without deigning to no.
tice my supplication. she still went on,
in the same strain Of cold-blooded mock
cry. Perhaps you are not aware that
this lover OF yours is my husband"
For q moment Clara looked stunned.
bewldered, unable to realize the idea
those words contained; but as l made
movement towards her she uttered a
low cry, and shrank covering into a
corner.
NO, nor exclaimed, in voice Of
anguish
~ dare you to deny itr' cried Judith
Deny it if you CAM
1 skunk out of the room like beaten
dog. l dared not cast even look upon
her. The last blow had fallen; and.
most agonizing thought of all, felt that
l had bitterly deserved it.
Judith led the way downstairs into
my own room, and l mechanically fol-
lowed. She reprimanded the nurse, who
awoke in fright at our entrance for
her negligence in suffering me to leave
the chamber; would not listen for a mo-
ment to her protestations, but ordered
her to quit the room.
l had listlessly sat myself upon the
side of the bed. "Oh, il l could but
die" 1 thought.
Judith gazed at me intently for a mo-
ment, and something almost akin to pity
cana into her face at the sight OF my
desps7r
"Silus," she said, in a tone different
to any one she had ever used to me-
"were it not for your conduct to that
girl, 1 could pity you; but you nave
behaved to her like dishonorable cur;
1 l.
giving her the shadow of hint of your
position"
She paused for a moment, and then
said. in low voice:
'There has been a curse upon me from
my birth. My childhood was passed in
squalor and degradation, but my soul
loathed my condition. l was exquisite
" sensitive TO ridicule. and trimming
over with self-love; and 1 was hooted
at for my rod hair. and awkward figure
and strange eyes. Oh if | had known
the power there was in those eyes. what
revenge | would have had upon the
Knockers. When my condition was bet
tered. tried hard to cast away the past
l read. l studied, l cultivated my mind
but my associates were changed only
from vagabonds to hypocrites. Then
began to love him! Oh, how l loved
him! His love was to carry me away
from all this-to regenerate me. And
then he left me- and Satan filled his
PLACE i'll my soul. There was only one
thing more wanted to complete my de
gradation--to be despised by you. You
loathe me, and yet YOU would lay down
your life for that girl! In what is she
so much my superior? Were you an
emperor, and did you love me with your
whole heart and soul, | could neSer feel
for you the shadow of love. But still
am woman. You are my husband in
name, at least. and l cannot forgive
your hatred of me-"
"Wreak what vengeance you please
upon me; there is no suffering that
cannot endure for her sake--to save
herr" l pleaded.
How fortunate it is that ! have soul
above jealousy, or your passionate pray
ers might have quite an opposite effect
upon me-" she said. sarcastically. Then,
with Il change of tone, Acknowledge
me as your wife before this woman,
who will be here in the morning, and
will save this girl. and thus be revenged.
| would have informed her grandfather
of her whereabouts, and great deal
more, the moment / heard Of it. had it
not suited me to keep her here as an in
strument against you. Render her use
less to me by conserving TO my wishes,
and it will suit my purpose TO release
her. You know that | could force you
to do this or anything l pleased" she
added. imperiously, without any such
aid. if l chose Now. will you do what
l require. or win You not?'
Il will!' | answered, firmly. What
was it to me now who knew that she
was my wife? Had she desired it,
would have led her through the public
streets anl have proclaimed the fact TO
every passer by. If | could save Clara
by such now trifiing sacrifice. it would
be at least some PREPARATION for my cruel
conduct TO her.
When our bargain was concluded, she
lay down upon the soft; | still sat in
the same position upon the bed, with
my elbows resting upon my knees and
my face buried in my hands; and thus
the broad dwight saw me as it tried to
struggle through the curtained window.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Utterly worn out, | was just sinking
into a doing sleep. when ! was reused
by the hateful tones of Mr. Portor's
voice greeting his daughter, as she sat at
breakfast in my room. Another enemy
added to the number that eneompassed
NE.
He quickly turned to me and began.
in his usual hypocritical shuttle, Il hear
| that it fath pleased Providence TO put
Z . 10