Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-08-19

- 49, - a 1NU
in the face of his first point-blank re-
fusal, that Miss Vanstone's address
should be given to him. Strangways
thought of that occasion when he had
seen the rector before; that scene
that he had involuntarily witnessed in
the churchyard on his way to Bon
holt Humes house had left vivid
impression on his mind-like drama
played in dumb-shOw, since he had
been too far off to catch the words
that might have given him a clue to
it's meaning-the woman almost pros
trate on new grave, the slght OF
whose face had startled him, suddenly
revealed in the moonlight as that OF
woman he had once known and had
believed dead, and this man whose
hand she had flung off with a strange,
passionate gesture as she pointed
down at the grave at their feet. What
secret link existed between these two
the woman who by her own will,
when accepting his offer of help in
stage career, had left the rectOry
like thief in the night. and this man?
Stephen Ruthen had called unex-
pectedly to see him at his club the
previous afternoon.
II got your telegram refusing to
give me Miss Vanstone's address"
Stephen had said, abruptly. Il have
come to London today, Mr.. Strang-
| ways for that address-to convince
you that you will not be wise in Miss
Vanstones interests to withhold it."
Strangways had shrugged his
shoulders.
LAS far as I am concerned, | should
have no objection; only l am in MISS
Vanstone's hands in the matter. L
told her of your written request, and
she wished me not to give it. SO you
will see how powerless l am he had
replied, as if dismissing the subject.
Then something Stephen Ruthen had
said made him change his mind.
II think you will be wise to give
| it. For if I return home without haV-
| ing seen Miss Vanstone, the police
will force you to tell them where she
| is" the rector had said, in low, in
tense voice that betrayed, in spite OF
his enforced self-repression, some of
| the bitterness he felt This woman
| he had loved-what had he done to
deserve that she should treat him So
treat him as she might have treated
an enemy? And how deeply he had
| loved her-deeply enough to sin for
/ r+of mo hn
l am acting in her interest; but If you
persist in refusing, or she persists, the
police will, am afraid, show her less
| consideration than l wish to show
her. Now will you reconsider your
decision?"
The words had been too obviously
| in earnest not to have their effect on
| Strangways.
LET us understand each other, Mr.
Ruthen I have no personal end to
serve in keeping you apart. 1t was
this young lady's wish, not mine, that
she left your house as she did. My
interest in Miss Vanstone is purely
that of one who, for certain reasons
connected with her past life, takes a
friendly interest in her; nothing more
Only in leaving Wildfell she wished
to break utterly with the past, with
a very terrible memory. l happen to
have a financial interest in West
end theatre where new play is
shortly to be produced. Miss Van
stones mother was an actress; con
WINGED that Miss Vanstone herself pos
sesses unusual talent for the stage,
have offered her a part in the new
production. l will take you to the
theater tomorrow, when you shall see
her." Strangways had said.
Now he and Ruthen stood watching
the progress of the morning rehearsal
The gas-jets, Pickering in the draughts
that cut the stage, scarcely pierced
the cavernous gloom in the audito
rum, which was swathed in holland
wrappers. From some dim, remote
point at the back of the gallery 6
dusty roof-window admitted beam Of
light that fell slantingly through the
theater and across the bare, cherries
stage, falling between this man anc
|
sionately loved and who had so IL
requited his love, like a symbol of the
barrier that must always lie between
them.
Strangways looked at Olive Van
stone. She seemed in moment tt
have lost the fire and animation she
had shown she was rehearsing badly
and Strangways knew the reason. He
felt an irritation against this man who
had come here to disturb his protegee
with the memories of grief she was
trying to forget. And he wanted Miss
Vanstone to be a Succession hel
own sake, for the sake of the piece
though she was not playing lead, hel
part was one of immense Importance
And if she showed in it the force an(
passion she had revealed in that unre
hearsed scene in the churchyard tina