Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-12-19

would only 60 away now, she NIGH
come and stay all day tomorrow. She
paid no attention to what he said. Il
she were in talking mood, she went
on, irrespective OF what he replied. II
in silent one, nothing that he said
appeared to move her. Once he kept
his bed in the next room for nearly a
week to avoid her; but she came all
the same, evening after evening, and
sat herself opposite his empty chair
till he surrendered.
This conduct Of Stella's was all the
more strange because she had herself
fallen into long spells of silence and
affected solitude. She withdrew al.
most entirely from the society of her
father and her step-mother. When
acting under further advice from the
famous nerves. man--cheerful young
girls of her own age were invited t.
the Honor, she was barely civil to
them, and, of course, they took the
| hint and did not repeat their visits.
| She would sit alone for hours in the
room where her mother died, and in
the twilight would wander about the
great house, exploring lumber.rooms
and attics, returning with her dress
torn bythe nails and grimy with dust.
Only one short year before she was
the neatest of the neat.
You may be sure that this did not
pass unrebuked.
i dare say you mean it kindly,
dear Mrs. Lockwood said soon after
these new fancies had developed
themselves, but really you do your
poor grandfather harm. He is in a
very nervous state, and begs to be
left alone.'
Does hep replied Stella, dreamiIy.
Yes And DR.. Fletcher will tell
you that it is the best thing for him.
He is very much shaken, and the least
excitement is bad for him your father
understands this, and never goes near
him. only go occasionally, to see
that he is comfortable. Now oblige
me, my darling, by not going again.
4 must CO.
But why ? II can be no pleasure to
you
I must CO.
This is childish said Mrs. Lock-
wood, getting vexed. Il tell you there
is no occasion for you to go; you do
him harm by going. l will not allow
my father to be annoyed by any one.
II you knew what trouble he has had,
poor man, you would be more consid-
crate. Now, Stella, finding that the
girls face was hardening,] you know
that ! never deny you anything that
is good for you, do please me this
once promise not to 60 again.
4 will try not to CO.
Try, nonsense As said before,
it can be no pleasure to you; your
curiosity is satisfied by this time,
should think. You speak as though
| had asked you to make some sacri-
fee. Besides she went on, meeting
with no response, sDr. Fletcher says
highly 6er sS5 o stalls q a ga qp ns
sight of person afflicted as is my
poor father must injuriously affect you.
Do not force me to exert my author
ity and absolutely forbid you, Stella
No. said the girl, Il would rather
that you did not forbid me-
That is my own Stella Mrs. Lock
wood thought she had gained her
point, and tried to seal it with kiss,
but the girl turned away her face.
sStella?' she almost sobbed, swhy
will you not kiss me p
Il do not know
sAre you vexed with me for what l
have said 2
NO
ooh, Stella, you do not love me-
4 Zee my own mother so often now,'
said the girl; with lowered eyelids,
sthat-that-'
See your own mother = gasped
Mrs. Lockwood.
sIn my dreams, l suppose but /
will try and please you, l will try in
deed
'FOr some time she did not go near
the Colonel's den, or even visit that
part Of the garden into which its win.
dows opened. But gradually the cir
Gle OF her wanderings narrowed; she
could not avoid the path which led to
the forbidden ground, she
passed the window slowly and more
slowly, and at last could not resist
stopping at it and looking within.
Then she went in the same as before.
What was to be done? All the
doctors agreed that in her present
state of health she was not to be
thw.rted. At the same time they in
sisted that she must be kept away
from the Colonel-for both their
sakes. Persuasion, command, and en-
treaty were employed in vain. you
see, 'she would reply, without shade
of obstinacy or defiance. Il must 60.
One evening piercing shrek was
heard in the den None of the SER
wants dared enter it. Mrs. Lockwood
was sent for, aud found the Colonel in
a fit on the floor.
Cruel Child she cried, She is dead
-you have killed him.
sHe is not dead said Stella, quiz
city; sand he will not die Just yet
And she was right; but this brought
matters to climax. very vel, then,
said Mr. Lockwood, if sense will not
teach you to refrain from what is un-
kind and injurious, / will see what
wood and iron will do So orders
were given to shift the Colonel's quar-
ters. He was past going up and down
stairs now, and so it did not matter in
what part of the house the den was
to be. Suitable rooms were found in
one ofthe wings, and carpenters came
to measure the passage which led to
them for a massive baize-covered
| door, which would shut Miss Stella
out from even approaching within
ear-shot of her victim.
He never reached the proposed ha.
ven of rest. The very day before il
was ready for his occupation he was
found much as his daughter had seen
him after that shrek was heard. He
had slipped from his chair, and lay
huddled up on the floor. but stone
dead and cold this time.
Since that previous attack Stella