Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-10-02

amined closely, was very worn and haggard.
She could have had very little sleep. . Go
down stairs, and get a cup of warm coffee.
You must not quarrel with Stephen it will
make you i'll. don't know whether YOU are
quite managing him rightly, but have no
doubt he is most to blame, and so | shall tell
him. ! won't have him making you i'll while
am here, at any rate
Don't speak to him. 1t will make mat
tiers worse il be thinks you know anything"
said Caroline, dashing away the tears which
this t-uch of sympathy had instantly called
up. Sc was not quite straightforward yes
terday," and she forced her liquid blue eyes
to meet the aunt's gaze. '' Those papers
were not about machinery but do not ask
me,-you said you would not. | felt | must
say this, for how can | pray for others if
am not myself truthful -
" Mono, you could not, slowly answer
ed the aunt, looking at her niece in much as
tOnishment. " But 20 and get something
warm. We will talk about it another time
See how You are shaking again. I'll be
down directly :" and she led Caroline to
wards th door Mrs. Watkin was a woman
Of strong curiosity, but her othernatural feel
ings were also energetic, and she Just then
felt nothing bnt alarm and sympathy for
Caroline
When the aunt rejoined her niece in the
sittngroom, Caroline appeared greatly to
have rallied. Stephen, some time after, sent
a boy from the mill to fetch his breakfast,
saying he war busy possibly his recollect-
ions Of the previous night made him reluct-
ant TO face his female relatives 50 soon. He
however appeared at dinner. and with the ex-
ception that he still avoided Caroline's gaze
and had very little to say, there was nothing
noticeable in him. Caroline did not 20 over
t. the mill, which was quite in opposition to
her usual practice and twice during the day
her aunt came upon her Unexpectedly, once
iu the garden arbor, and again il the side
pilJr, intently neuding over tho mysterious
paper- which had already 20 puzzled Mrs.
Natkin The latter did not now follow up
her inquiries on the contrary, she pretend
eI no TO have observed anything. and passed
over Caroline's perturbation without re
mark the truth being, that she was alarm
ed hy the latter's singular conduct and alter
ed appearance
Towards the close Of the afternoon, Mrs
Waikin herself went across to the mill, as
she said to fetch Stephen to tea, which she
count, who, at dinner-time scarcely ate any
thing. Ii was, however, plain that, in spite
of Oaroline's adjuration in the morning, the
aunt had a further object in this visit. She
must have made it an Opportunity to have
some talk with stephen as to his sisters state
ol healJh for, On entering the parlor, Mrs.
Natkin standing by with somewhat Of eX-
pectatiun IN LeT manner. he went direct to
Caroline. and, in q rather shamefacel, awkss
ward way. said be was sorry she was not
well She made friendly reply, couchel
neither very warmly, nor the contrary. But
Mr.. Watkin little plan was not exhausted.
At the close of the meal she quilted the
room leaving them together. and remained
absent for some time. !. sh- returned
along the passage, she heard Caroline's voice
raised above the natural pitch Il have no
confidence in YOU, Stephen. This thing has
returned upon You twice and ! feel that a
trouble of some kind il hanging over us"
stephen made some indistnct reply. and,
advancing 70 the door as his aunt pushed it
oren, passed her, his face glowing crimson,
and Lett the house.
Almost Immediately after this, caroline
had another bad shWering attack, and Mrs.
Natkin seemed much depressed at the ap-
parent ID success of her well-meant manage
meut Caroline, too. was very restless.--1
ing aimles,ly out OF one room into another
and on one occasion. when her aunt had fol-
lowed her from the parl0r into the sitting
room, was startled by Caroline turning
quickly upon her with the curious question :
d. Aunt. did You ever have a strong temp
tatim -
.' Whatever do you mean 2' asked ,h-
amazed aunt, a little color COMING lns) her
edei checks
4 thought that takes full possession Of
yal,' and Caroline raised one hand anc
pressed il above her wild cyes.-' haunting
You Till YOU can think of nothing else 2''
90 No don't know that | had. II had.
should have asked God to helpme, and should
Lave struggled against if. ''
/ struggle against IT, answered Caro-
lae. now speaking with unnatural c0ldnts-
end she turned abruptly away.
llr-. Watkins apprehensions increased
this hehayor was 70 strikingly opposed L
Caljliue's customary quie; demeanor. Max
ing preJext for going INTO the kitchen. Oh,
aunt sent Mary to the mill with a priyat,
message to Stephen then, auntering 70 tn,
front door, she mot her nephew, and they
IGi whispered conversation at the gate
He seemed as disturbed as Mrs Watkin
though in q different way and the result o
the conference was, that he struck off along
the road leading down the valley, while biz
a4nl returned into the house.
s,ephen was, In fact, gone to tel Mr.
Watson that Caroline was not we'll. and ..
ask him to come up the first thing in tn,
morning, calling as if by accident and Sc,
her. Stephen and Mrs Watkin had agreel
that that would be better than asking Caro-
line openly to have medical advice they
feared She might say no; and if Mr.. Watson
had hurried up at once, they also doubted
whether that would have pleased her Bu
it was hored by both Of them tha. the sur
geon would be there early in the morning.
CHAPTER VI
d" do not quite understand it, Mrs. Wat