Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-02-11

cause that made her mind dwell so bitter
ly on the fact, yet it did III spite of her
self, and the knowledge of the great
social gulf fixed between them filled her
with great vague regret.
In less than half an hour the young
man was sufficiently revived to thank his
preservers and accompany his cousin in
her carriage, which waited outside the
lodge. He thanked them all most cor
daily. To the three men who had as
sisted him he gave money, and to
Stephen his card, which showed his name
to be Frank Vernon, and promised to
call the next day and thank them again.
Both the old man and his son were taken
with his manner, and spoke in favor OF
him and his supposed betrothed; but
Leah, sitting silent in the shadow, said
nothing, brooding in silence over her
newly-awakened thoughts, with vague,
rebellious feelings against her destiny
surging in her heart.
The storm did not abate that night,
nor the next day. Neither did the next
day bring Frank Vernon to the cottage,
but he sent message stating that he
was too unwell to leave the house.
When night again fell the wind was still
driving the heavy rain along the shore,
and the fury of tn sea seemed unabated
The old man and his daughter sat in
their old positions beside the fire and
listened to the storm without.
"Leah," the old man said, breaking
the silence, "where is Stephen to-
night? ?"
She had been busy with her own
thoughts, intently gazing into the glow
ing Goals, and she raised her face, aglow
with the freight, to his. Then, with
cry of alarm, she sprang from her seat
and caught his head, which was falling
forward on his bosom, in her hands.
"Father, speak to me. What 10 the
matter ?" she cried, gazing with a great
dread at the set and rigid features and
lips, from which all color had fed, leav-
ing them white as ashes.
Leah, +" the old man gasped, " l am
dying. Quick-old Mr.. Hallam at the
old lodge. / must see him. Tell him L
sent for him, and he will come"
The gray head fell back upon the chair
as he spoke. The girl, nearly frantic,
and knowing not what to do, kissed him
in wild, frenzied way, and then dashed
out into the night and storm.
1t was q long way, more than mile,
but she did not mind fatigue. She did
not feel it any more than she felt the
stormy sweep of rain that drenched her
to the skin. Her mind had room only
for one thought-that she might be too
! late
| She reached the house at last and de-
| hvered the message to Mr.. Hallam In
person, and then her over-strained facul-
! ties gave way, and she sank In swoon
on the floor When she came to her
senses again she was lying in white
curtained bed in q room finer than she
had ever seen before, and bending over
her was the stately young lady who had
come to her fathers cottage the night
before.
i" Has he gone ?" she asked.
Eyes" the lady answered, che is with
him now"
| She would have risen at once and re-
/ turned through the storm through which
she had come, but the lady was kindly
resolute and firm, and forced her to lie
quiet and wait
! An hour passed-it seemed an eternity
to Leah-when the door opened and Mr.
Hallam entered, still dripping with the
rain. He crossed the room to the couch
and took her hand in his.
* My poor child" he said, you can
not go home tonight; this is your home
| from this time forth"
/ She looked at him in dumb amaze
ment.
" You are my daughter, now" he said.
" and YOU must learn to look on me as
you would your father"
Af And he?" she cried out, hinging up
her arms with all unconscious gesture of
entreaty.
81 You must bear it calmly, poor
child, " he answered her. "He is dead. -
How it CHANGED that she should be-
come the adopted daughter of the
wealthy Mr.. Hallam was much of a
mystery to Leah, even when months had
passed, and the sorrow for her father
beginning to wear off, she became ac-
customed to her new position. Mr..
Hallam was kindness personifed; but
| from the rest of the household her quick
instinct held her aloof. They were all
kind to her, but an indefnable some
thing felt, though not expressed, that
! she was not to the Sc manor born" and
sort of interloper raised barrier be-
tween them. AS for visitors, of whom
there were many, OF course this had
nothing to do; but still the feeling was
in her mindall the same, and she became
cold and reserved.
AS for Frank Vernon, he became fas-
cinated by her--so much so that it be-
came subject of remark. At last he
! proposed, and she accepted him.
She did not love him, but she liked
his society, and she loved no one else,
and felt proud of his talents and hand
some person, as any girl would have
DONE She made condition, however.
that their engagement shouldsbe kept a
secret until her brother Stephen, who
had gone on voyage of several months,
should return.
A week afterward Stephen came. She
was almost beside herself with delight at
seeing him. It would have been a reve-
lation TO any one who only knew her as
Il