Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-11-28

house. 1fJther, be pitiful: she is
young and has no mother. Barbara.
what can we DOR
Both ladies rose and tried to calm
him for his wild words startled them.
You had better inquire if any one
overheardn what orders were give
about the carriage" said the countess
to her son DO not be alarmed,
Claud Hilda is safe, / am sure.
Barbara. go TO her room. She may
have left note there for u.s."
lord .1ayneham went out and found
the groom who usually helped the
coachman, and he had heard all that
passed. The coachman asked where
he sh'uld drive and her Iadyship re-
piled to Oulston, and he was to wait
for her as usual at the Bayneham
Arms.
Again Lord Bayneham felt relieved.
Perhaps, after al, sne WI only gone
shopping, and had beekT detained;
there might be no accident, nothing
but forgetfulness of time He re-
solved, however, ride over to Ouls-
ton at once. He returned to tell the
countess of his intention; she stood
in the dining-room, holding a folded
paper in her hand; and Barbara Earle,
with white wondering face, stood
near her. Lady Bayneham went up
to her son; he saw that her face was
full Of strange emotion and that she
spoke in a low panied voice.
"Claud," she said, come with me
to my dressing-room. Hush not one
word-the servants will hear YOU"
In silent wonder. Lord Bayneham
followed the stately lady, and Bar
bara Earle went with them. His
mother closed the door, and locked it.
she then held out to him the folded
paper.
Barbara found this on the floor of
your wife's ROOM" she said, gently;
at had slipped from her desk, and it
Is addressed to you
He took the letter from her in ST.
lence and read it.
"Claud," the letter began, Il shall
you. | go now. You know all;-you
say you know all. All, then, you must
despise me. You must look upon me
with loathing and contempt; but it
was not my fault My husband, it
was not my fault. l ST fer for the
sins of others.
You meant what you said, Claud,
and / must go. I cannot write my
farewen-there are no tears in my
eyes, yet they have gazed upon you
for the last time. In my heart there
is deep burning sorrow, like sharp
piercing pain; there is despair and
death. You We're my life, my love,
my all; you made the sunshine of my
life. / go out from you into utter cold
and darkness, where | shall never see
you darling for this last time, and /
lay hundred kisses on the word as
write it. My darling, forgive me-
Goodbye"
Lord Bayneham read the letter
again and again, never understanding
one Of the sad, pitiful words in it. He
realized but one thing, had gone
from him, and he should see her
never more"
A cry that lady Bayneham never
forgot same from his white lips.
Strong man though he was the earl
trembled like a child.
Read that, mother" he said, land
tell me what it means.
Word by word the countess read
that sad letter, her face growing
white as her sons had done. What
can it mean?" She said: what can
be done?"
Il must find herr" cried Lord Bayne
ham. Call all the servants, mother;
rouse the whole place.-we must go
after her"
Then his mother. going up to him.
placed one ara. lovingly around him.
Hush, Gland" she said. Your
wife has left you: let us, however.
save honor of our house; cost what a.
may, this secret must be kept; the
Baynehams have never known dis
grace; let us keep their name I'M
tainted. What say you. Barbara"
You are right, aunt she replied;
for Hilda's own sake we must keep
ell knowledge Of this from the world
Do not be angry with me, Claud; but
from this letter, which you evidently
do not understand. / should imagine
poor Hilda to have been seized with
like a sudden insanity. No
sane person wrote this. Have you
any idea to what she alludes?"
NO more than yourself" said Lord
Il had better tell you all,
and perhaps YOU can help me. Hlda
would not tell me how her bracelet
came to be In the Lady's Walk. and 1
quite accidentally, that
she had been viking there with soue
one went to her and told her |
knew ALL"
We'll" said Barbara, for he stopped
abruptly, what them"
she cried out. passionately, DO
you mean what you said? Must go?
Not understanding in the least what !
xhn uraonf yar<llaI hat Oh