Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-24
CHAPTER yIII-(Continued.)


ly she got her fathers permission to re-
turn to her aunt, and try to cheer the
poor woman up. Roderick was back at
her home. and proved a courteous and
kind friend TO his brothers w.:e. lie be-
sought her not to speak to her tather
about the marriage, urging all sorts OF
reasons for the delay. Roderick also ad-
vised her not to confde in his mother ;
and, bearing in mind Franks wishes, she
did all the Young man advised.
So the days went by. Four months
were spent the time was drawing near
for her fathers annual winter visit to
the Riviera, and Constance felt she ought
TO accompany him, when suddenly the
current of her life was changed by two
events, the first Of which brought the
color to her cheeks and the thrill to her
heart, the second of which plunged the
girls soul into the deepest, darkest mis-
cry woman can ever know.
Just as the letter in which she had
written, in timid, gentle words, the ma
ternal hopes she might assure herself of,
a blow fell upon her which all but
crushed out her life, as it successfully
scented herself at Lady Anstruther's house
end asked TO see Miss Gascoigne. Mar
SHALL who guarded and shielded her
young mistress by every means in her
power, would have refused this woman
admittance, but Constance took the mat
ter into her own hands, and a meeting
followed.
When Marshall went in to look after
the girl, thinking she had given the
stranger enough of her time, she found
constance standing before the fire, her
face ashen white, her eyes staring and
sxpressionless, like the eyes of the dead.
Marshall she said, with tones that
were husky with emotion, Marshall, /
| have been deceived. | am not Franks
wife,
Not Mr.. Franks wife! Oh, come,
Miss Constance. you are altogether
wrong Why, didn't | see you a-stand-
In before the altar with my own eyes,
end didn't l hear you swear to belong
70 each other
Constance put out an icy-cold hand.
Dear, true friend" she whispered,
between he' pallid lips, and then she
tok up pieca Of paper and gave it to
Marshall.
Read that, and you will see l am not
wrong" she said with a wintry smile.
The Wedding you assisted at was only
farce Here is the certificate of Frank
Anstruthers first marriage, ay, first and
only one. for that woman who has just
left me is hrs lawful. legal wife"
II will not believe it, | will not be-
lieve it" so cried Marshall over and
over again. while the poor girl crouched
down by the fire and rocked herself to
and fro. asking herself in a wild, mad
way. what was to become of her
Mr.. Roderlck will put this straight"
was MarshalPs verdict. and for brief
time a flame of hope sprung up in the
wretcheG creatures breast but alas it
soon died down and was crushed out for
ever.
RoueriCk took the matter up immedi-
atcly. He sought out every clew, follow
ed the truth up to the bitter end, and,
lasrly and sorrowfully, had to own his
brother n liar and villain.
Constance seemed turned to stone. She
shed no tears she made no moan: she
bore herself with a pride that was some
thin. marvellous.
What was to become of her? What
of her child?" The question haunted her
day and night.
Fortunately, her aunt's health became
so bad, she was permitted to stay buried
in the country house without further mo-
lcstation from her father. who went off to
Monte Carlo and enjoyed himself, doubly
free from his daughters presence. Letters
arrived from Frank by every mail. but
they were tossed into the fire unread
Il leave you to communicate with
your brother" the girl had said in her
one and only interview with Roderick.
and the hot blood of triumph had surged
into his veins.
How we'll his evil, jealous plan had
worked Better than he could have
hoped or dreamed. Frank was miles
away he could not stand forth and re-
flute the horrible lies. Constance, bound
up in pride and misery, refused to do
as she should have done write to him di-
rect. and so learn the real truth. His
two puppets worked at his will and hast
ened his revenge.
Revenge on the brother he had ALWAYS
hated: revenge on the woman he had
loved in a wild, unreasoning, passionate
way, and who had shrunk from his very
friendship in a manner that had chilled
him to the heart. 1t was a cruel. wicked.
humanity act-the act rather of demon
than that of a man.
AS day after day went by, the time
approached FOR the birth of Conssanee's
nameless child. She had made no MANS
arranged nothing. Roderick did every
thing. He it was who guarded the girl
in her mothers house, where, with no one
about her but Marshall, not even wh;S-
per of her condition caught the wind .
he surrounded her with every comfort
every care but he never saw her. and
she sent him no thanks.
The day her child was born. Marsh, II
came TO him. she had no liking for Rod
erick-in fact, so great was her anper
ANA hatred toward poor Frank she could
scarcely bring herself to address any one
connected with him; but there was moth.
ing else to do, and even the old woman
in common justice, admitted that Rod,
erick was acting with more than a broth
er's love to the unfortunate girl.
She refuses TO see the child,' Mar
shall said. land when l urge her, all she
says is, Let it die. Let it diet We
can't do that, you know, sir. What are
we to do?"
Roderick had already foreseen this con
tingency and was prepared.
The child must be removed l know
a woman who will take it and be thank
full for the money The mother viii
never ask for it. never wish to see it
And thus, despite Marshall's longins
to keep the helpless, hapless child, was
the matter arranged. Constance never
asked after her baby, and when she was
told by her faithful maid what had beer
done with it, she made no sign. either
by word or look The doctor who attend
Cd hei had been taken into confidence by
Roderick, aud he pitied the poor youns
mother from the bottom of his heart. fol
he saw that blow had been struck
which could never be healed
Constance was scarcely convalescent
before she received visit from her faith
er. who was in q state of much perturba
ton.
KNEW how it would be-" he said. whcr
he first saw the girls white face. Boxed