Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-12-26

e'rs conduct made il clear that she
was innocent. A cold sh1dder ran
through the Doctor when he thought
of Mabel Ravesys love for st. John
her disappointment, her poverty
could she have deliberately undertake
en- to nurse her rival for the purpose
of numbering her? Could she have
yielded to 8 sudden temptation and
made away with her !? Had her faith
er, the ] eadtul Colonel, any hand in
the crime, or suspicion as to its
author, and had she silenced him for
fear he might betray it to Stella as the
price OF being left in peace?
I'll take time resolved Fletcher
'I'll do nothing in hurry, and-yes
that might help, I'll sound Mrs.
Kirkman-she helped to nurse the
first Mrs. Lockwood-and find out if
she has any suspicion of the second
wife,
For this good opportunity soon
occurred. Stella, who, since the death
of Col. Ravesy, had fegained some of
her former health and spirits, took a
new fancy in quite an unexpected
direction. have mentioned how she
treated young ladies of about her own
age who we're invited to the Honor to
amuse her. She now spent three
afternoons week at Mrs. Kirkman's
school, joining in the work and pas
time of the farmers daughters who
were finished at that now long estab-
lshed and fiourishing seminary. Mrs.
Kirkman had presented her compli-
ments to Mrs. Lockwood. and, though
highly fattered by the prediction
shown by her daughter, begged that
that young lady might be induced to
restrict her visits, as they in.erfered
with the studies of Mrs. Krkman's
pupils. And Mrs. Lockwood had
apoligized for such intrusion, and
promised to use her influence to pre-.
vent its rec urrence.
i cannot understand. Stella she
said, as she sealed this note, why
your seli-respect does not keep you
from going where you are unwelcome.'
But | am welcome-all the girls
like me- Stella replied, flushing.
what the girls like or dislike does
not matter, my dear. They are un-
der Mrs. Kirkman's charge, and she
is the best judge of what is proper for
them. However. both your father
aud myself are glad to see that you
are shaking of your aversion to socie
ty. We only wish you had looked a
little higher for companions. Mrs.
Kirkman is very respectable woman,
but neither she nor l can forget that
she was once my fathers servant.
Her pupils-shop keepers and farm
ers' danghters-are not Of the class
with which you can associate hereaf.
ter. 1t would not be kind to let them
imagine that you could. So, be
good child, aud don't 90 there so
often. Wean yourself away, as it
were, and when we are out OF mourn
ing you shall have every opportunity
of forming pleasant acquaintances
among your own order in society
Stella listened, seemed to assent,
but did as she pleased.
Mrs. Lockwood did not seriously
resent this disobedlence. She was
rather glad of il. Stela's health and
spirits were improving. When she
became quite well again, she would
understand what was due to her posi-.
ton. She would come out, be pre-.
sented at Court, have a season in
London, and forget all about Mrs.
Kirkman's girls. In the meantime,
Mrs. Kirkman and her girls were
doing her good. So DR.. Fletcher
was taken into counsel, and sent upon
diplomatic mission to the school.
mistress. He was to explain Stella's
pertinacitv on the ground of her health,
and throw out delicate hint that any
inconvenience which might result
from her visits would be literally
compensated. He improved this oc.
casion by making close inquiries about
her mothers last days, and (inciden-
tally) into the conduct of the then
Miss Ravesy toward her.
In answer to his proposition he was
informed that it would have to be
made to Mrs. Kirkman's successors.
She was tired of the drudgery Of
teaching, had made enough to retire
upon, and had sold the school.
'I'm going to London Tomorrow
che said, 'to settle some matters of
form. The holidays commence on
Saturday, when I shall give up the
house and probably go abroad. Till
then Miss Stella is quite welcome to
come. | am very glad you have con-
fided in me, DR.. Fletcher l live SO
secluded life that had not heard of
her illness. Pray convey my respects
to Mrs. Lockwood, and assure her
that had / been aware that the young
lady derived any advantage from
coming here / should not have object
ed to her visits Poor child God
knows / should be the last to hurt
her.
The usually reserved Mrs. Kirkman
spoke with unwonted warmth, partic-
ularly at the last; bat when Fletcher
began his questioning she froze again,
and gave short answers. She saw
very little of what went on. She usu-
ally sat up at night with the crippled
lady, aud slept during the day. Who
sat up with her the night she died !?
No one. She had been feeling so
much better for the previous ten days
or fortnight that che would not let
any one sit up. To many other que
ries the achoolmistress would reply to
the effect that she was then servant !;
she came when she was called, and
did what she was told. 1t was no
business of hers to find out why this
was done, or that. Yes, Miss Mabel
behaved as though she were very
fond of the first Mrs. Lockwood.
Thus Doctor Fletcher got nothing
to help him out of his dilemma from
this quarter. Whenever be went to
the Honor, Mrs. Markby would way
lay him and implore him for Gods
sake to do something, or there'd be
more murder done He was not an
irreanluta mon or q oaralao. n -.