HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1904-08-18, Page 7k
THE WINfi fl4M Tt A.UG.tIS'L' 18, i .+U4
I A Tangled Web
BY MRS. ALEXANDER .."*444.
."*'4.;.
Author of "Beatot's Bargain," "His Perfect 'jl'u t,"
"By Another Name," " Her Heat's Idol,"
"Half a Truth," " H's Rival."
of thing, but she is the most brae*. ltuthvon--a woman whom I like per-
sane women 1 ever cuune across. sonally, and whose fortune was of
"Shirley, you inn a fool! A Young
creature fresh from the school -roots
and educationu1 irons, is the easiest
)game of all! Man, have you so lit-
tle experience as trot to knout you
scan always count oa at leust one
.traitor within the trenches?"
"Perhaps the gams was not sunt-
e ciently exciting; anyhow, Winton did
snot give a fellow much chance,".
• "%Vinton! yes, that is se Titan I
should enjoy martin-i/1'n. T think he
was fond tef Noels l,'lestrango, and I
t suspect Sins liked him. But who
%wouldd r cfuse :Marsden of Evesleigh?"
' F,,1 ,' is riot so great a catch."
Sunlight Soap
your blankets or
will make them
fleecy.
will not injure
harden them. it
soft, white and
7B
platen what inane, would consider so
fair a prospect.
the lust importance to toy brother. It was the second clay after the re -
lie, too—so far all I could see—was ceipt of Lady Dor•rington's letter
• pleased with the idea, and quite serf- that Marsden returned froze I vc-
liciently attached to the lady to
make things swooth and teusiblo.
With this admirable arrangement
Nora chose, for the indulgence of idle
vanity in the first place, I believe, to
interfere, by getting up a foolish
:flirtation with her cousin, and draw- Ne had had a . prosperous journey,
ing hint on in the utast deliberate and all things were coating round to
manner, and with your knowledge,
his wishes.1''ortuute smiled upon
Illi my brother—the of hint; he had but to play boldly, and
he
uses—was fullycommitted, and is would break the bunk of ill -luck
now unable to extricate himself, 1facl which had hitherto raked in all his
Nora any true sense of honor and stakes.
After ho had greeted Nora with
his usual warmth, he noticed that
she was white and cold and tremu-
lous, and he drew her to the light,
looking into lwr face with eager
ttuestioning eyes, n•hile he held her
hands firmly though gently.
"You have something unpleasant,
some had news fur rte, Nora?" he
said. "Out with it, dearest, I am
not afraid."
"Yes! something • very unpleasant,
a very unjust letter front Lady Dor-
rington; if you will lot my hands go,
I will give it to you."
"Is that all??" in a tone of relief,
as he released her, "I fully expected
Isabel would be about• as disagree-
able as could be managed." •
Nora took the letter from her
pocket and gave it to hitt. She
could hardly stand, so deep was her
agitation, She sunk into the chair
near which she stood, and watched
Marsden while he read.
Itis face expressed no great emo-
tion; a slightly contemptuous look,
an occasional frown, Hutt vas all.
"Well ! thele is 110tlting very trem-
endous in this," he cried, turning to
his fiancee and leaning his arms on
the top of a high chair opposite her;
"it is a most, improper letter, and 1
shall hoist on Lady Dorrington mak-
sleigh.
lie was charmed to find Nora alone
as she usually did her best to In-
clude her step -mother in their in-
terviews. Marsden looked bright and
joyoute, as because a bridegroom elect.
lee `Liston to the " cried Mrs, Muth- duty, she would have checked shin
von, not heeding hitt. "I want to ford, have consulted me, have done
go to London—let me see—I tbiek I
could bear the journey next week,
I want you to take roosts for me
at the Alexandria lintel' 1 shall keep
anything rather than drag us all in-
to a position of such difficulty and
disgrace, for I see that Mrs, Ruth -
yen is determined to take some steps,
tlietu for awhile. I like this place, which will, no doubt, cover us with
and can go up to town as I like. confusion.
You roust secure good roomts, "I shall only add, that if you and
and have everything made comfort,. Miss L'Estrange think for a moment
able and. warnt—above all things, her union with Clifford Marsden will
warm." , sctctu'e her happiness, you are pro -
Captain Shirley took her directions foundly mistaken. Ile will never
-with profound attention, and then make a good husband to any elle; he
their talk flowed in ordinary than- will never 1>o true to any woman,
nets. Mrs. ltuthven was quiet, and Mrs, Ituthven knows the world, she
in rather a more cheerful mood; she knows then; she could and comfort in
was more civil and friendly than the substantial advantages of her
usual. Yet Shirley left her with an position; but Nora, if at all the girl
odd impression that there was dam. 1 believed her to bo, would fret her -
ger in the air. I self to death. However, 1 ani prob-
e The short absence which Marsden ably giving her credit for more feel -
contemplated, unavoidably extended ing than she possesses. Young and
itself to nearly a week, I old seem alike indurated by the greed
, '%'his, which would otherwise have for material things, which grasps at
been a welcome perked of repose to wealth and luxury by any means,
Nota, was robbed of its restfulness however unworthy. She may accost-
: by her brooding over her step -moth- I plisit this marriage, but she will nev-
er's •conumttrticatiom. It was like et' be acknowledged as a sister -in-
fighting the air, this constant rout- 1 law by Yours,
t ing of phantom doubts, which dis- i "I. I)OfRINGTON."
1 persetl only to reassemble in palpable I Nora, white as a sheet, took the
wlattallous, while the question, did offensive letter and reperused it in
t jotg�ten knowlni,*ly dvet'lve her? re- r silence, ing the' fullest apology to Mrs.
, , uaitwtt. unsoti :'d, She determined to I "Lady Dorrington must have been L'Estrange and yourself. But sheut8•k lobo, She -Could not inittin per- Qut of k mind when she wrote can not forbid the bans, or interfere
i
init herself to be blinded With 501110 1 ban,'? cited errs. L'Estrange indig- in any way, so you need not tt•oublo
half truth. She was more uneasy I frantly, "She little knows the true about her preposterous nonsense."
than she would admit; she could not state of the raSO. "But. Clifford, I can not help
apply herself to anything, and she I net is very cruelandunjust," said troubling! I ant distressed about
even incurr+d a gentle rebuke front Nora, in low, unsteady tones. "It is 1 Mrs, Rutht'en. Of course I know
1 her step-tuother, for her indecision too bad to be accused of dishonor- very little shout her, or how you
respecting some of her preparations, able scheming to win a Iran front stand With her, but I did think that
which Mrs. L'Estrange complained whom I would give the world to be time at Evesloigh you intended to
et.. caused unnecessary delay. free." marry her, and perhaps site thought
;,f crho day before Mtu•sdt'n rejoined I "My dear Nora, do not allow your so too?"
sneer,,', the post brought Mrs. L'Bs- anger against Lady Dorrington to "My clear girl, you can no more
•tit•', two !otters of some inlpoit- snake you unjust to poor CIifford," ( understand a woman such as Mrs,
sauce to this true history. I'ht first exclaimed Mrs. L'Estrange, startled Ituthven than you can rend Sanskrit
4,. -she ,open—:d was from Winton, it Was• by the suppressed passion in her : or Amharic. She can't do without
'' •wrltte'n ea ,1 depre'sse'd though friend- voice. "There is no reason to doubt lovers, admirers I should say, and as
% f'r tout, anon` gave some particularshien," an attentive host I was bound to
I
respecting Isms !ittcie's death, andthe I "It is neither doubt not• anger, supply her needs."
!
amount of prof 'lty bequeathed by Helen. I ,in averse to marry Mr. i "But were there not others who
p • fieeeaseci. There wvas, lot said, a Marsden, It was instiuct at first --it 1 would do as well as you?"
ii rgoSd dent of busittet s to be settled. ' is—I don't know what it is now." "Nott would have quite the same
f i' Hlis uncle's only dautekter was dead, i "My dear child, this is dreadful! 1 ! effect as the bachelor master of the
.t but he found she had lett n son in in- never anticipated anything half so ; house, My darling, is it possible
I ditTerent circumstances; anti Winton i bad," said Mrs. L'Estrange, aghast ; that your honor me by being jean
iwent on to say, that he felt it his at this revelation. "What can you ous?"
I eluty to divide the bequest with this do? You can not break with him 1 "No, Clifford, I am not Palmis—
t ,boy, whose guardian he would under -now, and yet to marry with such a 1 but—but—I wish --you could, without
lake to be; finally he expected to be I feeling is horrible. What can you i too much pain, gratify Lady Dorring-
en town after Christmas, when ho i do?" ton and give me up."
tiwould have the pleasure of calling on I` "I don't know," Nora's lip trem- 1 "Ah! I see, magnanimity, not jeal-
1Tsa, L'Estrange.I bled as she spoke. "1 seen! acting•% oust', is your line."
"I atm sure Mark Winton does nob 1 badly and falsely. I ant so sorry for ; 11e kept his light tone, but his
write like a man who had inherited C1igord, he deserves better treatment I eyes darkened, and his face grew
stoney , site said, when she had i from me. I will show hint this let- hard.
finished the letter; 'rand I don't sup- , ter. I will point out the folly of "I want—t want you to listen
pose he is inrotsolable for the loss marrying me, Why did he ever take { quietly, Clifford," site returned, feel -
of his uncle --they did not love each a fancy to me. ing her mouth patched and scarcely
other much in, old times." I "it is more than a fancy, Nora. I able to utter the words she forced
••Dear Helen, do read this letter," am very, very sorry for Clifford." { herself to speak. "You will be angry
ititerrupted Norte; "it is, I see, from Nora's only reply was a burst of : but I feel I ought to tell you all
Lady Dorrington, I know it will tears, that is in my mind."
'be unpleasant, but. do not try to . "Oh! I must tell him," site said. ! "1 am always glad to listen to
Bide anything from ate." ( "I will show hint this letter, and tell i you," said Marsden, giving her back
"It looks formidable," said Ales. I him. Ido not deserve that he should the letter and titr•owieg himself on
-.. ave nut you shall be ley a heart se.c steel, Which would never
Wife, and give me what tendenees melt, thetuk h you might strike etre
nett, cant" Fronk if, end as'' iron will, tenacious
Nora began to feel indignant at to carry ntlit her ntrppses, great qr
his tone. small. lie kttuw freta,'r' than ally one
"If you really loved iso, you should else that, afile,-$ tithet;gc). he had
third-; of my happiness As Well as only to u> k gad W'c?rrtc� ,'awe been
your own," accepted: and, tlhi1 kli)g• that Sea
I do! I only rare to make you alight have leen 1118 t!1'esitiiiY, he had
happy! But 1 don't want any one done his hest to Prepare ata►e1 smooth
elate to make you happy. Nora! it Oa way, I'rotn this. hie supretnz+
con not be possible that after your good luck had delfeered biro.
Soltutn .promi$e to ate, you want to -Even if he had not fallen lteatllong
draw back? There is something I in love -with :boa 1; Estran'r, there
do not understand here; something was much in Mrs, Itutlt t'n Which
store than Isabel's letter." { ditnly t!ispleused hint. She was
"Iter letter brought on a climax;
but I have been uneasy for some
time, frightened at the responsibili-
ties I was going to undertake; fright-
ened at my own want. of affection for
you; though I do like you, and 1 ant
miserable at making you unhappy!"
":Chen save your misery and my
unhappiness1 blatry ate; marry the
willingly—for marry me yott must. '
"Are you so resolved?" asked
Nora, changing color and feeling
alarmingly faint.
"I am; even though I think 1 have
hit on the solution of the riddle,"
said Marsden, rising and confronting
her. "You may not love me; but
carefully well-bred, vet her martnerrlf
had not the indescribable Case or
grape of one horn in the' 1Vtm'ple, there
was an -unties'-tape of anirtrttiisnt err
her tastes a:nd looks; nu>vroyer, he
shrewdly suspected that I:ae"Iity to a
husband would be with her very
much a matter of atcc•ident, though
be did her the justice to believe that
she would always keep up atppear-
ameee.
In fact, she was an admirably tome
posed rnorst•i of i'aris paste, excel-
lently set• and pb'usant. to the eye,
until placed' beside a brilliant of the
purest water, like aura.
However, tile visit had to be mai,.
you love some one else!" sa Marsden made a careful toilett
Nora was silent. Falsehood in ev- and set out to keep his ttppointntene.
It was some time since they had!
met, indeed. since their encounter
in Paris th? previous spring, they
had not been so row' :-part.
11Ir. ltuth'en was tinny dressed in
black sill: and v'?vet, with a hand-
kerchief of cream} ]ace !knotted round
her neck, and a dainty cap of the
some on her illicit, short hair. Iler
costume seemed to indicate that the
business in hand' wasi tromp serious for
the easy menden/we, tel a morninggown.
:Marsden thought: bee. 1'o'r,l:ing better
than he had e+er seen her before,
The debility and languor of slow con-
valescence ]tad spir•iluali.t ! hoe ex-
pression, and giver. intone refinentent
to her m(neaments. 11e could even
understand how some, nivel might
think her charming. a charming toy.
There was something anusual too, in
the earnestness with wfiei'i she look-
ed into his eyes. something pinned
and reproachful !t1 tlln• expression of
you think of Mr. Winton?" faltered her own.
vaguely distressed by hes tone, I hoer she is not' Toth,.* to make
Nora, va
g n scene. ' thought 3lnrade,t, its he
and shocked beyond description at tho greeted her cordially.
notion of leaving betrayed herself. 1 "You are very good fits' •tn nnpunc-
"1W'ho else could it be? Unless, in- • alai man, to be so pu)tctuul' .he
deed, 801110 very juvenile affair, with said grac'ioisly, but gravely,
a Teutonic baron or graf abroad," : "1 was ,'rigor .to 8e•e' wrtl! my own
he laughed harshly. "1 do not mind ' eves how you wore progressin
g," he
Winton. ITe never could love as 1 returned. smiling sweetly upon: her.
do. He has a sort of ehilled-shot"You know you were mei' enough to
itttachment to your pretty step- rnitet my pruyor for ate Meet—view at
mother, which may—" Chedwot'th."
"There you are mistaken," inter- I "yes, it was cruel consiileaing• how
ruptured Nora quickly. -Which 01 anxious you were about- rue.:' :Mars -
the two Wintots did you believe her den did not quite like her tone. '•1
engaged to?„ want to speak to you about Eve-
ATursden toururned and looked sharply , sleigh: there are one etwo. Tittle
at her. "You have been exchanging tnatiers you and I can settle bettor
confidences with Mrs. L'Estrange?" 1 bttween ourselves tl+an through our
he said.lawyers."
"Afore agreeably, I teat sum!"
have received hers, "
"It was Black Mark Winton who "Before 1 go into my oxen affairs,
was for a whine engaged to her: but however, Afr. Marsden- T; ousel eon -
your 1'ritutfl wvas attached to her too!" gratulate you on your engagement
returned Marsden• i with hiss L'Pstrange. y always ad -
"You told ate—you implied—he tuns mired her, virus,
your -.tate is untnt-
engaged;" murmured %\ora. peachable." 'There wan a• kind of
"Oh, I ser. You -hells I deceived deadly composure in bee ataunur that
struck him ns ominous.
cry shape was abhorrent to her, yet
truth in this case was terrible; how
could she confess her weakness! Mare,
den's eyes, full of deadly rage, were
fixed on her. "I alt right? Yon do
not reply!" Then, Nora, with a
sudden flush of courage, determined
that all concealment should be swept
away. "You are right, Clifford,"
she said, coloring crimson, throat and
cheeks and ears. "But I thought 1
had got over it all, that it would
trouble run no more; and I do hutubly
pray you to forgive me for deceiving
you, as well as myself,"
"Fotgtve you! of course I forgive
you, may sweetest, my darling!" he
exclaimed. "I only want you to love
me now, If you will but give nee the
fragments which remain, 1 ant satis-
fied! I will even bless that solemn
rectangultu' prig Winton, for tramp-
ling the divine pearl of your tender-
ness under his feel, so that it inay
come to 010 in any shape."
"Why do you inngine—what makes
you? I really can not remember
what I said—only what I believed.
But that is of no consequence. I
want you to understand use. Nora.
1 will not give you up. I hold you
to your promise. Klee it and I'U
gladly devote my life to you. Break of you most warmly."
it—no, I will not believe that! 1'11 I "She will appreciate nue much more
not thick of it! Nora, do not de- 1 deeply and justly later este:' returned
• Mrs.
cert Incl All the good that's left Matinee'. with a slight laugh.
in ate, clings round you. If you i 1 r ay when does tine utur r azge take
shake me off, I know I shall go to I place."
the devil, and it will be the worse i "That is not settled yea-"
for you. I knot what I gun Capable f "And 1 suppose your fair inexpert-
for
Icould be damnably cruel. ' meed fiancee is desperately- he love
"I)0 not suppose Neill can frighten i with you? You have quite distanced
me," cried Nora, roused to anger uy i lir. %i'inton?
the shadow of a threat. "1 care •"%-'ell, I sopa so, eat 'lessl(lt ftel-
too such for you not to feel infinite ing marc, and more nneoiufortuble.
pain in disappointing you; but I will "I should think you buds you are
not submit to 00 be.Jhrel! ( rather a fascinating sinner_ 1 had a
"Great heavens! You ntisunder- ' fancy for you at one time me -self."
sta•ul mu. 1 do not know what 1 am !And ale glanced quickly cit lieu-. A
saying, Nora! You must not be glance fiery enough, half aritrttia'ation.
faithless. nook here, t ant utterly de- ; and half auger.
pendent on you for my future.
1 "Is it possible?" cried' 'Marsden,
have no hope, no life, apart from you, with an exaggerated air of regret.
"And how was 1 such anti
and I hold you to your promise, as I :diot as not
t 't9"
"It's routing," ho thought. while be
said aloud, "You are very good! I
ani sure Nora has the highest spore-
elation of you, she has alum spoken
L'Estrange, Cf cling to salt at ton. on y'oe r head he rt. i o sect .
" ,erhups you had better quarrel with his only sister for my the sola.
read it with ate." Nora cause be- sake." 1 "Don't you think, Clifford, there is whatever becomes of 1ne without you! ! "]'hat. unconsciousness and modesty
i some truth in what your sister says? My love! 111y $oul! 110 not turn from I for which you are cerebrated, no
1 hind her step -mother, and read as Mrs. L'Estranga did not reply. She i doubt preserved vou," she returned
follows: was too puzzled and distressed to , If you need Mrs, Euthven's fortune ane. I will never give you up!, 1
"Dear Mrs. L'Estrange,—I address see the fair fabric of joy and tieppi- so much, and I suppose Lady Dor- claim you, whatever happens." 1n a peculiar tont. "TTowrver, it is
' myself to you rather than Nora, be- Hess that she had seen grow up ; rington knows, is it not foolish to The profound supplication of his too late to talk of the past: besides,
t' eh, one I naturally consider you the crumble to dust at a touch. ) increase your difficulties—to—too vex voice, the entreaty of his speaking 1 I have a memo; story to tell you,
syj,')re responsible of the two for the Nora dried her tears. ; your only near relative, witty loves eyes, shook Nora' heart, Had see. ' in wh]cit, 1 gut Bute, vote will be in-
t t us state of affairs. "I am weak and selfish, Helen. But you so notch, by marrying a girl indeed, any right to turn front one to terested. T)o you !:naw T baro found
trace f rubies at last, and the
day you marry Nora L'Icstrange I
will give her one of the best for a
wedding present!"
"Aly dear Mrs. Ruthven, I am as-
tonished and interested!" cried Mars-
den, struck by her tone and looking
full at her. "Nor shall I--"
"fray listen to me," she inter -
rubyher seatthe fire
t leaning
edr
P
and drawing a chair to a writing -
table at a little distance, Where e.
number of closely written elmets fas-
tened together With a clip, lay beside
her blotting -book. "It to - •
(TO be continued)
•
Ypres sent duns t
t can scarcely say how deeply Ido want to act rightly. • Do you ! Who is willing to give you up 1f zt whom she seemed so essential. a a my
katnn, • and, I may say exasperated, 1 think that Clifford is quite true, or is for your good?" "Do not decide anything to -day.
,.Reil t'>y Your, and Norm's, want of that he is impulsive enough to encs- "It is the -magnanimous trick, Clifford," she said in a low voice.
eontio'ratiotl and good faith toward represent a. thing he wishes for very ' then? Magnanimity which I suspect She was beginning to feel quite ex-
botit1. 'lefford and myself. You 0s- much?" does not cost you much," said Mars- hausted. "Think over all I have
"I don't quite understand you. But den bitterly, said, and so will I of what you have
1 am sure Clifford Marsden it an ! "Clifford," said Nora, determined urged."
honorable gentleman, who would j to be brave and honest, feeling her "I will do anything you like, save
never knowingly deceive any one."courage e
reviving. g
withh the
sincerity one thing," "interrupted,he
but to
'<h! I suppose so -I suppose so,„
of her resolution, "I will betrue,reflection
will changeu~e t
.
I see
all
' . p ea, were fully aware (at least I
made 1rt i effort to conceal it) of my
wish tsb,a4 t Clifford should marry Mrs.
The in,abillty to
Rest and Sleep
els amerited s 'ymptom of' net'.
• imus exhfaustio n, the natural
outcome of whir` eh is paralysis.
The person whose nervet t are exhausted can -
, not keep quiet but is testiest : and fidgety, easily
irritated and subject to spellst of severe headache
. and indigestion. Dr. Chase's f`kt',e Food thou-
- oughly cures nervous diseases ti) into bnttdtup the
: