Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-03-19
ANS0N GREY.

the mil, and the people knew no more
about him than they knew about the
dead. His early yeals had beer passed
abroad, where, or how, nobody knew
and most had ceased to care, for that
matter; the last two had been passed in
Burlingame. eli
A brilliant light at night. shining
from the great east windows, and occa-
sional gallops through the town, by day,
were the only tokens of his presence.
However, II change was coming and
that without warming. Arson Grey fell
sick, suddenly and dangerously so. The
village doctor was summoned, who IN
turn teleeraphed for another from the
neighbe ring city in hot haste, and to-
gether, they said IN whispers that the
patient would probably die There was
no woman in the great house to act as
nurse, and the head servant, obeying
doubtless his masters orders, refused
to allow one there as yet.
How it came about was a mystery,
but one morning, when the master had
laid week half senseless, an unusual
cloud of dust was observed whlrllng up
the hill, and emerging therefrom was
carriage, splashed and weather-stained,
headed by two straining, painting horses,
who came up to the entrance as if
driven by the evil one. A lady, tall
and fair as sunlight, pushed open the
carriage door impatiently and sprang
out. With a hasty glance around she
hurried up the steps. entered the draw
ing-room, and stood before the two as
tonished gentlemen who were seated
there.
''Is Arson Grey alive?'
Eyes, but he grows worse"
Before they OWNED her intention,
she had passed Them, and was in the
next room bending over the sick man.
The devil will be to pay if she ex-
cites him now" the elder one said, eff
some good nurse had come, it might
have been of some use; but this dainty
thing-bah? ?"
She came out in a moment, her face
white but determined
''Will you be kind enough to send for
q minister and remain until he comes?'
she asked. as she began to remove her
things. .... .....
There was something in her manner
that forbade questioning, and they
obeyed her like so many dumb men, as
they said afterward.
The minister did come; William Skin
ner, the head servant was called, and
after the three held private confer
ence, which seemed to be satisfactory,
they came out and. to the Amusement
of all. the lady stood beside Arson
Grey and the marriage VOWS were
taken.
The wise doctors were mistaken in
their estimate of their unknown. She
was something besides fair young lady
as her actions soon proved. A new or
der of things was instituted in the sick
mans room, and his wife installed her
self as nurse, a change which told for
the better In month he was riding
through the village, with his wife by
his side, all eyes, of course, agog to
catch a glimpsessof her handsome face.
Ali agreed that she was an angel, and
when they came to church the next
Sunday, and sat down in one Of the
pews IKE other people, they were more
than ever confirmed in their opinion.
What they never knew was this:
Three years before, Arson Grey,
naughty and indolent. was killing time
at one of the fashionable watering
places where Edith Willoughby also
fingered, though sorely against her will.
A sweet and wondrously fair face,
much admired and sought after, Arson
Grey had half a mind to enter the lists
with the others, but something kept
him back, and he only exchanged few
words with her now and then.
There happened to come heavy,
two days flood, and the first night of it
Edith sent a servant asking MIR. Grey to
come to a private parlor for a moment.
He obeyed the summons with alacrlty,
wondering much what could be coming
now.
Edith was waiting for him, c!oaked
and hooded, and evidently In haste to
be off somewhere.
Il hope you will pardon me-" she said,
as she closed the door behind him, "but
really did not know whom to ask. and
mamma will not allow me to 60 by my
self. A Door woman down on the beach
is sick, perhaps dying, and / must so to
see her. Her little boy just came after
me. was there yesterday, and they
are III great distress. Could [ trouble
you to go with me?" ~ ss,s,
civil do your errand. Itsis too stor-
my for you to venture out" III aFs
ooh, it is no errand. am sorry to
trouble anybody"
Mr.. Grey saw what was wanted, and
saying he would be back directly, van
ished for his rubber suit. az -~
The rain drove into their faces, and
the wind howled through the dark night
like the minister Of a thousand storms
not for poor fsherwoman, perhaps,
but for one as good and fair as Edith
Willoughby, ne should not have hesitat-
ed a moment. When they came upon
the beach the waves fairly leaped into
their faces. and Edith shivered and
chung half terrified to her companion
in spite of herself. -
81 believe you had better returnnov,
and leave it to me-" he said.
mo, we are almost there. / should
never forgive myself if did," she an
swered, catching her breath as she
spoke. "Iti is only you [ am worried