Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-11
CHAPTER XIV.
The First Bitter Words.


Swinburne, in one, of his most ex-
quislte poems, remarks that when the
gods desire to be cruel they torture
the heart by torturing it on the rack
of despair.
Cliffords heart was now strained on
/ that rack.
Despair! Think of it. Most ills
that man is heir to can be remedied,
or, at least, alleyiated But what
could undo this evil work of Fate?
He might have had himself carried
into the church, if need were, and for
hidden the ceremony. But now it
was all too late-too late for any.
thing, Too late, She was married.
and lost to him forever, and ever, and
ever.
l must confess that | marvel he die
not go raving mad there and then,
that he did not attempt to take his
life! For think of it!
To find oneself the rightful claimant
to an earldom, and TO discover that
the usurper had married the girl you
love! Imagination may picture his
state of mind, may call up some idea
of his agony and anguish, but no pen
can do aught but mock it.
Half an hour passed. Nellie and
her father stood outside, the latter
too terrified to take any active steps,
the former with her white face wet
with tears.
Some dim inkling of the truth was
stealing upon her, but she said moth.
ing it was the old man who spoke
first.
Shall we-hadn't we better break
open the door. Nell?" he faltered,
anxiously. Lord only knows what
he'll do to himself! A man in his con-
dition amt answerable. you see."
Wait, father" she said, listlessly,
clinging to him.
An hour passed, and then they heard
the bolt drawn back slowly, and
Clifford Raven stood on the threshold.
His face was white and drawn,
terribly drawn, but it was quite calm.
He came quickly toward them and
held out his hand.
Il have come to ask you to forgive
me, my friends" he said, and his voice
sounded dry and thin, like that of an
old man. II have had a great trial.
scarcely know what said, but what
ever it was, forgive me. Forgive me
for every harsh ungrateful woro.
Nellie, | shall not plead to you in
vain, | know" and he held out his
hand to her.
She took it in both of hers, and
looked up kindly into his face, and
then away from him.
There, there" said Mr. Wood.
soothingly. Never mind all that, lad.
We've nothing to forgive. If there's
aught the matter, and we can do any
thing, Nell or me, why, you know"
Yes, do know" he said, gravely
and earnestly, and there is something
you can do.
You can forget every word have
said; yes, every word" he repeated
solemnly. Put them down to the
wanderings of n sick man, and forget
them. | don't ask you not to repeat
them, for that | know, in any case.
you viii not do; but l ask you to for
get them, and so help me TO forget
them. | am, and shall still be, the
same man you have always known
just Clifford Raven, the manager of
Woods quarry-that is, if the pro
prietor will let me still be So
Aye, aye. my lad. said the olo
man, softly.
I And as for the rest" continued
Clifford, why, Wen consider it just a
dream" and he drew a long breath.
as a spasm of pain crossed his face,
just dream and nothing more--a
dream from which have fully awaken
/ ed. Don't be anxious" he added,
quickly, as he looked at their care
/ lined faces, Il am all right. To-
morrow, please Heaven. | shall be
well and strong enough to get to work
to work." and he drew himself up.
THAT is the best medicine for a
disease like mine, Goodbye and