Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-08-04
5 The Fatal Three
) MISS N. z. BRADDoN
Al---
CHAPTER xI-fcontinned ,

CdARIEH AL-(Continued.
George Greswold found his wife sitting
alone near the open piano at which Cas-
tellGni had made such exquisite music the
hight before. She had been playing a lit
tie, trying to find comfort in music. A..
<he sound of her husbands footsteps en-
tering unannounced at the further door
spe starred up, with her heart beating
v6hemently, speeches. and trembling. She
felt as if they were meeting after years
OF absence-felt as If she must fling her
self upon his breast and claim him as her
own again, confessing herself too earthly
\ creature to live without that sweet hui
man love. He came close up to her, laid
his hand upon her shoulder, and looked
her in the face, earnestly, solemnly even.
Mildred, is it irrevocable? Can you
Eacriice me for a scruple? 2"
ut is more than scruple; II Is the
certainty that there is but one right
course, and that l must hold by 1t to the
end"
"So be it. Let conscience be your
guide, and not love. / have DONE"
He took both her hands in his, and
held them long, looking in her face as
he went on with what he had to say to
her, gravely, without anger, but with a
toucn of coldness that placed her very far
away from him, ard marked the beginning
of a lifelong strangeness.
1T is settled, then" he said; 1--WE part
forever; but we are not going to air cur
story in the law courts, or fill latest
editions of evening papers with the de-
tails of our misery.
No, no, no."
Then, though we are to spend our lives
apart henceforward, in the eyes Of the
world you will still be my wife; and 1
would not have the lady who was once
my wife placed In a false position. You
cannot wander about the Continent alone,
Mjldred-you are too young and too at
tractive to travel without companionship.
/ have brought Pamela to be your com
panion. The presence of my niece at your
side will tell the world that you have
done no wrong to me or my name. 1t
may be fairly supposed that we part from
some incompatibility of temper You
need give no explanations; and you may
be assured L shall answer no questions"
"You are very good" she faltered. Il
ghall be glad to have your niece with me,
only l am afraid the life will be drcary
one for her.
''She does not think that She is much
attached to you. She is frank, warm
hearted girl, with some common sense
under surface of frivolity. She is at
my hotel near at hand. IL you think
your aunt will give her hospitality, she
can come to you at once, and you and
she can discuss all your plans together.
If there is anything in the way of bust
ness or money matters that / can ar
range for you"
mo, there is nothing" she said In a
low voice; and then, suddenly, she knelt
at his feet, and clasped his hand, and
cried over 1t.
George, tell me that you forgive me,
before we part forever" she pleaded /;
pity me, dear; pity and pardon !"
YES, l forgive you," he said, gently
raising her in his arms, and leading her
to the sofa "Yes, child, l pity you. 1t
is not your fault that we are miserable.
1t may be better that we should part
thus. The future might be still darker
for US If we did not so part. Goodbye"
He bent over her as she sat in a droop-
ing attitude, with her forehead leaning
against the end of the sofa, her hand and
arm hanging lax and motionless at her
side. He laid his hand upen her head
as if in blessing, and then left her with
out another word.
''The future might be still darker il
we did not part" She repeated the SEN
tence slowly, bordering 1t as if 1t had
been an enigma.