Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-18
Lady Dutton's Ward

once-ah, surely his brain must be
turned-once he saw Magdalen's
sweet face smiling to him from behind
the curtain and pointing to the ring
upon her hand.
1t was but vision of an excited,
beyildered mind, yet 1t turned his
thoughts in quite different direc-
ton. He forgot Lady Grahame-she
faded from his mind like forgotten
dream-but he remembered Magdalen,
who had tried to make him think OF
such an hour as this-who had spoken
sweet words of the Judge he trembled
to meet. If she ere but here now
she could bend over him, with her
ggntle touch and loving heart, he
should not be so frightened. And
again he sowed as he had reaped. He
had driven his wife from Linn in the
proud arrogance of his prosperity, and
he would have given all he had in the
world IL she could have been with
him.
He remembered his child-poor
Magdalen was dead, he had seen the
green grave and the simple stone that
bore no name-but his child lived, the
child with her mothers face, and her
mothers voice. Perhaps she knew
the same gentle lessons that his wife
had taught-would she come to- him?
It mattered little abort keeping the
secret now.
It flashed across him that he had
seen Lord Bayneham in town-how
long since?-only yesterday-he would
send for him and ask if it were pos
sible that he could see his wife.
Science did wonderful things-surely
it could give him a few hours.
81 want to see Lord Bayneham," he
said, touching DR.. Arne; "let him be
sent for at once"
It was fortunate that the messenger
found Lord Bayneham at home. He
received the summons with wonder
and surprise Mr.. Fulton dying-and
sending for him! Like an electric
shock the thought struck him it must
be something about his lost wife.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Fast as 1t was possible to go, Lord
Bayneham FASTENED to the dying man.
He heard from the butler, when he
stood in the hall. evry particular OF
the accident-he saw real unfeigned
tears shining in the mans eyes. Mr..
Fulton was loved by his interiors for
his invariable kindness and good
humor. Then he entered the luxur-
ious chamber, where the master OF
the house lay, doomed and dying.
LET him come near me-" said Paul
Fulton to DR.. Arne. 81 have much to
say TO him"
The doctor rose from his seat and
made way for Lord Bayneham.
Claud was inexpressibly shocked.
So lately he had seen Paul Fulton in
the flush and pride Of his manhood.
his handsome face smiling and care
less-could that pale, haggard man.
with crimson-stained bandages upon
his head, be the same who had saluted
him SO gaily a few hours ago? The
wild eyes, full of horror, glared upon
him.
Il am dying, they say" gasped the
hoarse low voice. 81 never feared
man, but / am afraid to die"
Lord Bayneham did not know what
to say-a woman in his place would
have uttered the exact words the
dying man wanted to hear-something
of mercy and pardon and hope. Lord
Bayneham looked awkwardly around
the room, and then murmured some
thing about recovery.
NO" said Paul Fulton, sorrowful-
": "Dr. Arne tells me l shall not see
this sun set. Lord Bayneham, | want
to speak to you about your wife,
The young earl started. In the
shock of seeing that CHASTITY figure he
had forgotten for a moment that he
expected to hear of his lost love.
What of my wife?" he said, gently;
for, even supposing that Paul Fulton
had caused all the sorrow and sus-
pense, it was not possible to maintain
The faintet CLEAN of anger against
the shattered dying wreck before him. |
what OF my wife?" he asked again,
81 should like to see her" whispered
Paul Fulton 81 am dying. they say |
and this is my last prayer. Let me
Sc your wife once; let my last look
be upon her face"
do you know where she is?" asked
Lord Bayneham.
"No,' was the calm reply; at Bay
neham, | suppose. 1t is not too far,
my lord. There win be time If you
send at once"
All. then he knew nothing of her
half-suspicions had been
wrong.
why do you wish to see my wife?"
he asked; trust me-tell me-"
81 viii" said Paul Fulton. II do
not know whether you have been told
anything of your wife's history
want to see her,-oh, Lord Bayneham,
/ want to see her, because she is my
only child"
Your chnd!" cried Lord Bayne
ham, in unutterable wonder.
Eyes," said Paul. my child. Her
mother was the fairest and sweetest
girl in all Scotland, and she was my
wife. When l saw your Wife. Lord