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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1916-09-14, Page 7SSSISS.Tg• 'MST& ASSSS7SSYMISS•68WaSS September 14, 446 TUE WINGHAIVI TIMES WIFE IN NAME ONLY cOS:SSSS BY BERTHA M. CLAY Srq STg\'S'qS•ci ee 6ESSSS.c) .,srmsyss SS& SIELSSSS SS, a e'rreee Tifieetr haffeldeir; -ror reasons iny oevn, I hurried on my marriage. os one shall lose by the hurry, lhough"—which she knew meant a promise of handsome bounty. Presently the housekeeper went with 'Lady Arleigh to her room. The grandeur and magnificence of "U e house almost startled her. She •telt, more like Lady Burleigh than ewe, as she wont up the broad mar - staircase and saw the long cor- ridors with the multitude of rooms. "His lordship wrote to tell me to have all the rooms in the western wing ready," said Mrs, Cttatterton; hut he did not tell me why. They are splendid rooms, my lady—large, bright, and cheerful. They look over 'the beautiful beeches in the park, 'from which the place takes its name. 'Of course you will have what is called 'Lady Arleigh's suite," As she spoke Mrs. Chatterton threw open the door, and Lady Arleigh saw the most magnificent rooms she had ever beheld in her life—a boudoir all 'blue silk and white lace, a spacious sleeping -chamber daintily hung with pink satin, a dressing -roam that was a marvel of elegance, and a smell lib- rary, all fitted with the greatest lux - "This is 'the finest suite af rooms in -the house," said the housekeeper; -"they are always kept for the Arse of 'the mistress Of Beechgrove. Has your "ladyship brought your maid?" "No," replied Lady A.rleigh; "lite 'feet is I have not chosen one. The Vencliess of Hazlewood promised to Med one for me." The illustrious; name pleased the housekeeper. She had felt puzzled at 'tbe quiet marriage, and the sudden home -earning. If the new mistress of :Beechgrove was an intimate friend of her Grace of Hazlewood, as her words •eeerned to imply, then all mast be well. When Lady Arleigh had changed 'her traveling -dress. she went down- stairs. Her younp nusbancl looked up 'ha a rapture of delight. "Oh. Madeline," he said, "bow long ha'e you been away from me? It 'Sns like a hundred hours, yet, I do suppose that it has. been one. And how fair you look, my love! That -cloudy white robe suits your golden 'hair and your sweet face, which has 'the same soft, sweet expression as 'when I saw you first; and those pret- ty shoulders of yours gleam like pen nailed marble through the les*. No dress could be more coquettish or -prettier." The wide hanging sleeves were !as - 'toned back from the shoulder with tbuttons of pearl, leaving the white, hounded arms bare; a bracelet of spearls—Lady Peters' gift—was clasped round one of them; the white lace eras drawn round the graceful neck; -the waves of golden hair, half loose, 'half carelessly fastened, were like a crown on the beautiful head. "I am proud of my wife," he said. '1 know that no fairer Lady Arleigh 'has ever been at Beechgrove. When we have dined, Madeline, I will take you to the picture -gallery, and intro- duce you to my ancestors and ances- tresses," A recherche little dinner had been hastily prepared, and was served in the grand dining -room. Modalities *eyes ached with the dazzle of silver ;plate, the ornaments and magnificence eef the morn. "Shall I ever grow accustomed to ;all this?" she asked herself. Shall ever learn to look upon it as nay own? am indeed bewildered." Yeteher husband admired het per - 'feet grace and self-possession. She *Might have been mistress of Beech - 'grove all her life for any evidence eithe gave to the coritrary. His pride -in her increased every moment; there was no one like her. "I have never really known what "home' meant before, 'Idadeline," be said. "Irnitedne sitting opposite to a 'beautiful vision, knowing all the ihne "that it is your wile, My own there is is magic in the words." And she, in her sweet. humnitee 'wondered wiry }leaves had so feeble Atatia_hp.y...,Igtd—vigit...s110-had. -deft/ Was Troubled With Stomach and Liver FOR SEVEN YEARS. 'MILBURN'S 1.'1RA-1.111E11 PILLS CURED HER. nvirs. Thomas Sargent, Derkeley, Ont, -writes: "1 lave been troubled ;with my •ttontach and litter kr the past seven ;years: also have had constipation, cause nag herttlathe% backathee and dizzy -miens, and at times I would altheet Tall Aerie. T tried all kiede itif medicine, Without obtaining any relief. I ewe - silenced using lefilbutreetaxa-Liver Pills, .and they have ured me. I have recofre molded them to many of My Mende, .end they are all very much pleased with the rettelts they have obtained from their race' Milbeeres Lei 11s 'have been .ort the market for the past twenty-five • 'ear, end can be proeuted lane all 'dealers. The price is ee cents per vial, or five ',vials for *1.00. eciee *tiler detee het *Medea; thee Will be Mailed dirket on receipt of prim, .by The '1', Milburn Co., Limite4, To. Chito tinefetninegfeette paniWonateefinie ofiMi; noble man should be hers. Wben dinner was ended he asked her if she was tired, "No," she answered, laughingly; "I have never felt less fatigued." "Then I should like to show you over the house," he said—"my deer old home. I am so proud of it, Made line; you, understand what I mean— pronid of its beauty, its antiprod that no shadow of disgrace lies ever rested on it. To ethers these am simply ancient gray walls, to me tney represent the honor, the stainless re- pute, the ursshadowed dignity at mv race. People may sneer if they val, but to me there seems nothing so sa- cred as love of race—jealousy of v. stainless name." "I can understand and sympathise° with you," she said, "although the feeling is strange to me." "Not quite strange, Madeline. Your mother had a name, dear, entitled to all respect. Now come with me, and I will introduce you to the long line of the Ladies Arleigh." They went together to the picture - gallery, and as they passed through the hall, Madeline heaxd tbe great clock chiming. "Ah, Norman," she said, listening to the chimes, "how much may hap- pen in one day, however short the* day may be." CHAPTER XXV. The picture-gaLlery was one of the cared attractions of Beechgrove. Like the grand old trees, it had been the work of generations. The Arieighs had always been great patmns of the fere arts; many a lord of Beeehgroye had expended what was a handsome boa, tune in the purchase of picteres. The gallery itself was built on a pariahs' r principle; it went round the tare* of the house, extending from tbe. et - ern to the western wing ---it was wide, lofty, well -lighted, and the pictures were well hung. In wet weather the ladies. of the house used it as a promenade. It was filbed with art- tree:ewes of all kinds, the accumula- tions of many generations. Prom between the crimson velvet hangings white marble statues gleamed, copies of the world's great maitterpieees; there were also more modern works of art. The floor was of the moat exquisite Parquetry; the seats and lounges were soft and luxurious; in the peft,.4 windows, east and west there stood a small fountain, and the rutile of the water sounded like melee in the quietude of the gallery. One pate tion of it was devcited entirely to fam- ily portraits. They were a wonderful collection, perhaps one of the most characteristic in England. Lord Arleigh and his young wife walked through the gallery. 'I thought Vie gallery at Verdna Royal the fined in the world," dee said; "it is nothing oorapared thla" And this," he returned, "is mall, compared with the great European galleries." "They belong to nations; this be- longs to stn bedivaluel," she said— ",here is a diftexenee." Healing her hand in his, he led her to the long line of fair -faced wo- men. As she stood., the light from the setting -sun falling on her fair hoe and golden hair, heated to him- self that he hita no picture in his gallery one-half so exquielte. "Now," he said, "let me introduce yea 'to the ladies of my race." At that moment the sunbeams that had been ehining on the. well died out suddenly. She looked up, half laughingly. Uzbek the ladies of your race are frowning on nse, lionnate" she said. "Hardly that; if they could buttes") dove from their frame, what a state- conpany they would make to wel- come your And forthwith he proceeded to fie: - rate their various histories. "This resolute women." he gelds "with firm lips and sleek*, noble fete. laved in the tithe of the Reties; she held this old hall against Net font for thee -Able Weeks. until the tdege tectss taided,, and the ettivey re- tired ditexenfitel." "She was a heave 'wainitite' ette marked Lady Arleigh. 'This was a heroine," he went on, "Lady Arleigh; else wield not leave Lorelei when the tortible phrenti raged there. It is supposed that Wee Meted naming/es live; she &Weed heat -elf to the nursing of the aick, and *lieu all the fright and fear hwl she Ionnd heraelf laden With blessihat., and her *see. ,bontieed throughout tile land. This * Leidy Lola, ivlio in tin* idea- Alit 'Went out unattended,. enarereL -quite abettor, and spoke to three or four hundred of. the roughest men in the country, -they had eome, in the absence ot her huabe.od to selc• and piliege the Hall . —they roarthed back again, leavint it untouched. This, Lady Obrigtaticeilatt lineal descendant of Lady Netivadnie --7the brave Lady Nethedele.." She clung le his arta as she Stood *1,Itstriattn," she said, udo..You' mut that thy Portrait the wifl hang here" "X hope so, 14' darling, very anon" "Bat)** eMi I have place arnonri ell those fait and noble women," the *eked, with sad hsitellitY; "I. whine enteeteet heft 404elwQung to de - erten Ment er oast? $ in the long' years to eotne, when Son* Lehi Arleigh brings tome hie wile i as you have brought me, and they stand together before my picture as I stand before these; the young wife Will ask, 'Who was this? and the answer will be, 'Lady Madeline Ar- leigh.' She will ask again, 'Who was she?' And what will the ans-wer be? 'She was no one of .importance; she had neither money, rank, nor aught else.'" He looked at the bent face near him. "Nay, ray darling, not so. That Lord Arleigh will be able to answer, `She was the flower of the race; she was famed for her pure, gentle life and the good example she gave to all around her; he was beloved by rich and poor.' That is what will be said of you, rny Madeline," "Heaven make me worthy!" she said, humbly. And then they came to a picture that seemed to strike her. "Norman," she said, "that face is like the Duchess of Redwood's," "Do you think so, darling? Well, there is perhaps a faint resent - blame," "It Hee' in the brow and in the chin," she said. "How beautiful the duchess is!" she continued. "I have often looked at her till ber face seem- ed to dazzle me," "1 know some one who is far more beautiful in my eyes," be returned. "Nerrnan," she said, half hesitat- ingly, "do you know one thing that X have thought so strange?" "No, I have not been trusted with many of your thoughts yet," he re- turned. "I have wondered so often why you never fell in love with the duchess." "Fate had something better in store for me," he sMd, laughing, She looked surprised. "You cannot mean that you really think I am better than she is, Nor- man?" "I do think it, darling; ten thous- and times better—ten thousand times fairer in my eyes." "Norman," she said, a sudden gleam of memory brightening her face; "I had almost forgotten the duchess gave me this for you; I was to be sure to give it to you before the sun set on our weddingelay." She•held out a white packet sealed eecurely, and he took it vtonderingly. He tore off the outer cover, and saw, written on the envelope: "A wedding present from Philippa, Duchess of Haelewood, to Lord Ar- leigh. To be read alone on his wed- ding -day." .1= CHAPTER XXVI. Lord Arleigh stated at the packet which his wife had given him, and again read the words that were in - teethed on it,—"A wedding present from Pthlippe. Ditches of Hazlewood, toLord Arleigh. To be read alone on his wedding day," What conk it mean? Philippa at tinier took strange caprices into her head. This seemed to be one of the strangest. H. held the letter in his hand, a strange Pre- sentiment of evil creeping over him Which he eould not account for. From the envelope came the odor of a sweet scent - which 'the duchess always us- ed. R was .so familiar to him that for a few minutes it brought her vi - vials' before him; he could have fan- cied her standing near him. Then he remembered the strange words, "To be read alone." What could that mean? That the letter contained some- thing that his young 'Wife meet not see or hear. tie looked at her. She had stietn- inerly forgotten all about the packet, and steed now, with a smile on her thee, befeee one of the finest pictures in the gallery, wrapt in a dream of de- light. There could not, be anything in the letter affecting her. Still, es Philippa had written cto pointedly, it would he better perhaps for him to heed her words. Nkfietaline, my darling," he said, sinking on to an ottoman, "you have taken no tea. Yon would like some. Leave use alone here for half an }sour. I want, to think." She did what she had never done vohnittorily before. She went to and ell:taped her arras round his neck. She bent her blushing face over his, and the came surprised as much as it delighted hien—she was shyly ua- demonstrative. "What are you going to think about, Norman? Will it be of me?" "Of whom else should think en ray "reading day, if not of MY wife?" les asked. should bajseltme 11 your thouAtts went anywhere elect," replied Mada- line. "There re 5 during tspeech, Nee- msm. I nester thosight I should make such a one. "Your daring Is very deliOttul. Madeline; let me he more of it" She lamthed the low hapy, eon - looted laugh that bounded Ince select- ed musk in life tant. 'I vall dam, to asp eonaeihbag One* Noncom. if you will piretedse net to think it Inseelled for. I am very hap- py, 00; &eh* Irtesbend—I love yon. eery Youth, mid 1 thank you fdr ybter lows." betlar," be iitad, jrfteitig Isteutittd, bluehing &ea "flee Madalbse. I...understand the feminine 4045 trie0" 440 40 ieig0" 464 itftift be regaied, laughingly. "Yea may teeth me to tare abbe*, Jed, km time. I do net yea" Re *IleitiI1 wage( Cit moo km bis hand and Ibe hdat-$11evfafte '1ial**, log him that the Misaitai Wee etild united Unable To Sleep Or Do Any Work. SUFFERED FROM HER NERVES. • • .01 • • • Mrs. Thomas Harris, 8 Corrigan St., Kingston, Ont„ writes; "I had been a constant sufferer, for many years, with my nerves, and was unable to sleep at night, or do any work through the day. at last decided to consult a doctor and find out what was really the trouble. The first one. told rete I would bave to go under an operation before I would be well, but I would not consent to this, One day I took a fit of crying, and it seemed that if anyone spoke to me I would have to order them out of the house. I must have been crying two hours when my insurance agent came in. He advised me to try a box of Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills, and I at once sent to the drug store and got two boxes, and before I had them taken I felt like a different person. I have told others about them, and they have told me they would not be without them. I em very thankful I started to take Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills," Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills are 50 cents per box, or 3 boxes for $1,25, at all dealers or mailed direct on receipt of price by The "r, Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Out. de'l shall not he long," saki Made- line. She saw that for some reason or other he wanted to be alone, "You will find me here," he re- turned. "This is a favorite nook of mine. I shall not leave it until you return," • The nook was a deep bay -window from which there was a magnificent view of the famous beeches, Soft Turkish cushions and velvet lounges filled it, and near it hung one of Ti- tian's most gorgeous pietures—a dark - eyed woman with a ruby necklace. The sun's declining rays falling on the rubies, made them appear like drops of blood. 1e was a grand pic- ture, one that had been bought by the lords of Beechgaove, and the pres- et Lord Arleigh took great delight in it. He watched the long fold of Mada- line's white dress, ,as she passed along the aallery,_ and then the hangings fell behind her. Once more he held up the packet. "A wedding present from Philippa, Duchess of Hazlewood, to Lord Ar- leigh." Whatever mystery it contained should be solved at once. He broke the seal; the envelope contained a closely -written epistle. He looked at it in wonder. What could Philippa have to write to him about? The let- ter began as follows: "A wedding present from Philippa, Duchess of Hazlewood, to Norman, Lord of Arleigh. You will ask what it is? My answer is, my revenge— well planned, patiently awaited. "You have read the lines: "'Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor. hell a fury like a woman scorned.' They are true. Fire, fury, and hatred rage now in my heart as I write this to you. You have scorned me—this is my revenge. I am a proud woman —I have lowered my pride to you. My lips have never willfully uttered a false word; still they have lied to you. I loved you once, Norman, and on the day my love died I knew that nothing could arise • from its ashes. I loved you with a love passing that of most women; and it was not my fault. I was ,taught to love you—the earliest memory of my life is having been taught to love you. "You temember it, too. It may have been-' injudicious, imprudent, foolish, yet while I was taught to think, to read, to sing I was also taught to eronsider myself your 'little wife.' Hundreds of times have you given me that name, while we walked together as children—you with your arnaround thy neck, I proud of being called your little wife.' "As a child I laved you better than thaything else in the wide world—bet- ter than my mother, my home, my Mende; and my love grew with my growth. I prided myself on my un- broken troth to you. I earned the repute et being cold and heartless, be- cause I could think of tei tine but you. No compliments pleased me, no praise flattered me; I studied, learned, culti- vated every gift Heaven had given 'to me—all for your sake. I thought of no future but with you, no life but with you, no love but for you; I had no dreams apart from you. I `emeee_rond _when Abet/ talked- elie-Ma 6•4044.441..44.400•14444.4•40444.4.44.44.momdR4 111111‘0141111a6M1111146611111111111141111 The Wretchedness of Constipation c....tockly-b.onettameLy CARTER'S LITTLE LIVEILPILLS Purely sogashls —ad surely and gently on the fiver. Curo Biliousness. D. es *01 and Indigestion. They do their duty, Small PIII,Somall Dei, **i* hie& Gerittiite intuit her Signatnye ivritisseiftwomiiiiimosa be-u;t trat 'you ehoutti Ilene fe fifer wife delighted me. "When you returned borne I quite expected that you were coming to elaim nee as your wife—I thought that was whet brought you to England. remember the day you came. Ali, well, revenge helps inc to live, or B1101,11d die! The first tones of y voice, the first clasp of yeur hand, first look of your eyes chilled inc w sorrow and disappointment. Ye hoped against bope. 1 thought were shy, perhaps more reserved t of yore. I thought everything anything except that you had cea to love me; I would have belie anything rather than that you w not going to fulfill our ancient c tract, and make inc your wife. I tr to make you tail: of old timere—y were unwilling; you seemed confue embarraseed; I read all those si aright; still I hoped against hope. tried to win you -1 tried all that lo patienee, gentleness, and conside tion could do. It was all in vain. "What women bear, and yet li on! Do you know that every mome of that time was fill of deadly tort to me, deadly anguish? Ah, me, t very memory of it distresses m 'Rvery one spoke to nee as though o engagement was a certainty arid marriage settled. Yet to me the came, very slowly, the awful cony tion that you had ignored, or had 1 gotten, the old ties. I fought again that conviction. I would not ent tain it. Then came for me the fa day when. I heard you tell the Duc ess of Aytoun that you had nev seen the woman you would care make your wife. I heard your eo fession, yet would not give in; I cle to the idea of winning your lov even after I had. hoped against hop and tried to make you care for rre At last came the night out on 11 balcony, when I resolved to risk a to ask you for your love—do you r member it? You were advocating t cause of another; I asked you wh did not speak for yourself, You mus have known that my wornan's hea was on fire—you must have seen th my whole soul was in my speech, y you told me in cold, well -chose words that you had only a brother affection for me. On that night, f the first time, I realized the trut that, come what might, you woul never love me—that yon had no id of carrying out the old contract—the your interest in me was simply kindly, friendly one. On that nigh when I realized that truth, the be ter part of me died; my love--th love of my life—died; my hopes—th life-long hopes—died; the best, tru est, noblest part of me died. "When you had gone away, when was left alone, I fell on my knees and swore to be revenged. I vowe vengeance against you, no matte what it might cost. Again let m quote to you the lines, our the ith t you hen and sed ved ere on- ied ors ed, gra ve, ra- ve nt re he e! ur ur re ic- Or- st er- tal h- er to n. ug e, e, e. 11, e - he y rt at et n 's or h ea t, t0 e d r e- "'Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.' You scorned me. You must stiffer for it, I swore to be revenged, but how was I to accomplish my desire? I could not see any way in which it was possible for nee to make you suf- fer, 1 could not touch your heart, your affections, your fortune. The only thing I could touch was your pride. Through your pride, your keen sensitiveness, I decided to stab you; and I have succeeded. I recov- ered my courage and my pride to- gether, made you believe that all that had passed had been a jest, and then I told you that I was going to marry the duke. "I will say no more of my love or my sorrow. I lived only for ven- geance, but how my object was to be effected I could not. tell. I thought of many plans, they were all worth- less—they could not hurt you as you had hurt me. At last one day, quite. accidentally, I took up 'The Lady of Lyons,' and read it through. That gave me an idea of what my -revenge should be like. Do you begin to sus- pect what this present is that the Duchess of Harlewood intends retak- ing to you on your wedding -day?". As he read his face gretv pale. What could it mean -'--this reference to "The Lady of Lyons?" That was the story of a deceitful marriage—surely all un- like his own. "You are wondering. Turn the page and you shall read that, when an idea once possesses a woman's mind, she has no rest until it is =- lied out. I had none. My vengeance was mapper/ out for me—it merely re- quired filling in. Let me show You how it was filled, up—how I have lied to you, who to another have never uttered a false word. "Years ago we had a maid whom my mother liked very much. She was gentle, well-mannered, and welt - bred for her station in life. She left es and went to some other part of El:glance She married badly—a hand- some, reekless, ne'er-do-well, who led her a most wretched life. "I know not, and care nothing for, the story of her married life, her legless and wrongs. How she beeomee of interest to you lies in the fact that very shortly utter my marriaga ahecalledtoaeemeandaskmyaid. She had been compelled to give up her home in the country anti come to London, where, with her husband and child, she was living in poverty and misery. While she was talkieg to inc the duke came in. X think her patient face interested him. ale lis- tened to her story, and promised to do sothethieg for her husband. You will wonder how *is story of Mar- garet Doinhaan concerns you. Read on. You will know in time. "My husband having prornieed to assist this man, sent for him to the house; and the result of that Vieth was that. the man, seeing a quantity of plate about, resolved upon help- ing himself to a portion of it. To make my story abort, he was after having broken into the boose, peeked up a large parcel of esel, and filled his pockets with some of my Most valuable jewels. There Was red help for it but to prosecute him, and hie Se-Menee aoM, 'under Ole then**. etaiiee, none tee heavy, being kit yti!rs' penal servitude, Aftersard 1 welt to bee bids 441116 Rarga.rest, *bid Bound het in delikkite eiteureistenteen yet she had tele GliPar Wilt in ber lussisc---a beattiful yeast her daughter, so fair 01 fate Owl 0114-1*..*Clitataltitleria..1tt *Sir 4 rage 7 osionnsommanismoon: Children Cry for Fletcher's The Kind You llfave Always Bought, and which. has heel% in us for over 30 yeaks, has borne the signature of and has been made under his per• sonal supervision since lits infancy. Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and " Just -as -good " are but Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of Infants and Cidldren—Experienee against Experiment. What is CASTORIA Castoria is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare. gorie Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is pleasant. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Nareetie substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys 'Worm and allays Feverishness. For more than thirty years it has been in constant use for the relief of Constipation, Flatulency, Wind Colic, ail Teething Troubles and. Diarrhoea. It regulates the Stomach and Bowels* assimilates the Food, giving healthy and natural sleep. The Children's Panacea—The Mother's Friend, GENUINE CASTOR IA ALWAYS Bears the Signature of In Use For Over 30 Years The Kind You Have Always Bought t YR C N TRU R CORI PAW?, 44 KW YO R K C ITY. ffeerit ee. saw ner els Thotiffir17 Wit desoription of your ideal—eyes like blue hyacinths and hair of gold. Forthwith a plan entered my mind which I have most successfully car- ried out. "I asked for the girl's name, and was told that it was Madaline—an uncommon name for one of her class —but the mother had lived amongst well-to-do people, and had caught some of their ideas. I looked at the girl—her face was fair, sweet, Imre. I felt the power of its beauty, and only wondered that she should be- long to such people at all; her hands were white and shapely- as my own, her figure was slender and graceful. I began to talk to her, and found her well educated, refined, intelligent —all, in fact, that one could wis - "Little ,by little their story came oat—it rue one of a mother's pride and glory in her only child. She worshiped her—literally worshiped her. She had not filled the girl's mind with any nonsensical ideas about being a lady, but she had denied her- self everything in order that Made- line might be well educatet. For many years Madeline had been what is called a. governess -pupil in a most excellent school. 'Let me die when I may,' said the poor, proud mother, 'I shall leave Madeline with a for- tune in her own hands; her educa- tion will always be a fortune to her.' "I asked her one day if she would let me take Madeline home with me for a few hours; she seemed delight,. ed, and consented at once, I took the girl home, and with my own hands dressed her in one of my most be- coming toilets. Her beauty was some- thing marvelous. She seemed to gain both gram and dignity in• her new attire. Shortly afterward, with her mother's permission, I sent her for six months to one of the most fashion- able schools in Paris. The change wrought in her was magical; she learned as much in that time as some girls would have learned in a couple of years. Every little grace of man- ner seemed, to come naturally to her; she acquired a tone that twenty years spent in the best of society does not come to some. Then I persuaded Veto, my husband, to take me to Paris for a few days, telling hirn I wanted to see the daughter of an old friend, who was at school there. In telling him that 1 did not speak false- ly—Madaline's mother had been an old friend of mine. Then I told him that my whim was to bring Made- line home and make a companion of her; he allowed inc to do just as I pleased, asking no questions about her parents, or anything else. I do not believe it ever occurred to him as strange that the name of my pro- tegee and of the man -who had robeed him was the siene—incleed, he seem- ed to have forgotten all about the robbery. So I brought Madaline home to Vere Court, and then took her to London, where I knew yon would see her. My husband never asked any questions about Iter; be made no ob- jectiohs, no remark—everything that I did was always well done in his eyes. "But you will understand clearly that to you I told a lie when I said that Madeline's gloater was a poor relative of the duke's—you know now what relationship there is between them. Even Lady Peters does not now Ibe teeth. She teethes that Maclaine is the daughter of some friend of mine who, having fallen on evil days, has been glad to send her to me. • "Knowing you well, Norman, the accomplishment of my scheme was not diffieult. If I had brought Made- line to you and introduced het, you might not have been ;charmed; tbe air of mystery About her attracted you. My warning against yeet tar - Mg for her would, X know, also help to allure you. I Was tight in every way. I saw that yore fell itt loie with her at orete-ethe first *foment yen saw her --and then I knew My revert was secured, "X tonight My husband the yeteht, on purpose tet he enteaht go tem - and leave toe to work asst toy &ilia I knew that he could not resist the temptation I offered. I knew also that if he remained in England he would want to know all about Maas. line before he allowed you to marry her. If the marriage was to take place at all, it must be during his absence. 'You seemed of your own free will, Norman, to fall naturally into the web woven for you. "I write easily, but I found it hard to be wicked—hard to see my lost love, my dear old companion, drift on to his ruin. More than once paused, longing to save you. more than once I drew back, longing to. tell you all, But the spirit of revenge, within me was stronger than myself' —my love had turned to hate. Yet I could not quite hate you, Norman; —not quite. Once, when you appeal- ed to my old friendship, when youa told me of your plans, I almost gave way. 'Norman!' I cried, as you were leaving me; but when you turned' again I was dumb. `So I have taken my revenge. I,. Philippa, Duchess of Hazlewood, on this your wedding -day reveal to Tote the first, stain on the name of Arleiglis —ureveil the first blot on one of the noblest escutcheons in the land. You have married not only a low-born girl but the daughter of a felon—a, felon's daughter is mistress of proud' Beechgrove! You, who scorned Phi- lippa L'Estrange, who had the cruel- ty to refuse the love of a woman who loved you—you, who looked for your ideal in the clouds, have found it near a prison cell! The daughter or a felon will be mistress of the grand old house where some of the noblest ladies of the land have ruled—the daughter of a felon will be mother of the heirs of Arleigh. Could I have planned, prayed for, hoped for, long- ed for a sweeter revenge? "I am indifferent as to what you may do in return. I have lived for my revenge, and now that I have tasted it life is indifferent to me. YOU will, of course, write to complain to the duke, and he, with his honest in- dignation justly aroused, will perhaps, refuse to see me again. I care note my interest in life ended when my, love died. "Let me add one thing more. Mada- line herself has been deceived. I told her that you knew all her his- tory, that I had kept nothing back from you, and that you loved her in spite of it, but that she was never to mention it to you.' He read the letter with a burtiiug flush on his face, which afterward grew white as with the pallor of death f' a red mist was before his eyes, the sound of surging waters in his eats, his heart beet loud and fast. Could it be true—oh, merciful heav- ee, meld it be true? At first be had a wild hope That it was a cruel jest that Philippa was playing with him on his wedding-cley. It could not. be trne--his whole soul tose in rebel- lion against it. Heaven was too just, too merciful—it could not be. It was a jest, He drew his breath with a lozig, quivering sigh—his lips trent- bled; it wag simply a jest 10frighten hint on his wedding -day. Then, one by one---slowle, sadly, surely—a whole host of eircumstitheest returned to his mind, making continuo, - tion strong. Ile remembered well— only too well—the scene in the bal- cony. Ile remembered the pale striae light, the light scarf thrown over len- lieptas shoulders, overt the very per- fume that cart* from the -Rowers in, her hair: he remembered bow her voice had trembled, hew her face haa' shored nt the faint evening lig'ht. Whcn she bed onoted the words or Priscil1a. the loveliest, minden of Ply - Mouth, the hid Meant them as tip- plicable to her own esme---"Why deo% you speak foe lourself, „eater?" They came batk tallith with a Some, eound, tootling his despair. She b love him *tough all—this Plead, beautiful, brilliant woman for who* thol et highest isnk had virvvet vain. And, knowing her pride, her! baugbnbo c1 'ms eI what her love had eoet het„ that 414..thaS t.,".601 4:00 131C COHIJIWIlltht `.211