Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-12-11

Ldup mary StOOu SaZiuS dG MIN WIN
a dazed look. Suddenly, before he
could catch her, she fell fainting at
his feet,
1t seemed likely enough for time
that Lady Mary would soon be suffer
ing from brain fever as well as the
countess. She was scarcely in her
right mind for several days; but for
tunately as her mother grew worse
she grew better. Before week was
over she had, as if by sdoerhuman
effort of will, thrown off her illness
and she insisted, against the will of
DIR. Killen, in nursing her delirious
mother.
Lady Mary had not the reputation
of being very dutlful OF affectienate
daughter. All her frienGs had heard
how she again and again had an
noyed, or shocked her poor mother by
her willfulness or her bitter tongue.
But now she exerted herself in her
care In a way almost beyond belief.
Day and night saw her by the sick
bed, watching and tending the suffer
er with an interchangeable tenderness
People were surprised to find her cap
able of such devotion.
AS long as it was uncertain whether
the countess would live through the
illness or not, Lady Mary thought
little of anything else; but when the
crisis was over, and the patient was
once more conscious, she began to
wonder how it was that Mr.. Coningsby
had not called Or written since that
eventful morning. 1t was strange
that he should bear so calmly a false
charge, which dealt such blow to his
prospects. She had resolved that
when her mother was sufficiently re
covered, she would confess to her
everything, and absolve the young
actor from the charge. But now as
she pondered over his conduct, she
felt inclined to change her resolution.
1t was plain that ne was either glad
of an excuse for breaking off the en-
gagement, or was actually carrying
on an illicit correspondence, in which
he imagined he had been discovered.
In either case, it would be a small
kindness to her mother to bring him
and her again together.
One day Dr. Killen, after having
examined his patient and pronounced
her to be progressing in the most
satisfactory manner, On leaving the
room, motioned to Lady Mary to fol-
low him. When she went out he said
to her, II suppose you have heard of
Mr.. Coningsby?"
"No, DOCTOR" she aswered eagerly.
"What is it?'
well, he's engaged to Mrs. Blunt, u
said the DOCTOR"
''To Mrs. Blunt!'' exclaimed Lady
Mary.
Eyes. Now, the reason [ asked you
to come out was to caution you on no
account to mention this, or to let it be
referred to ia the countess hearing.
We did not know what the shock was
which caused her illness, but it was
clear from her remarks when delirious
that it was something about Mr.. Con-
ingsby.
Eyes," answered Lady Mary, but
in such an absent-mindcd manner
that DR.. KiIlen, with an annoyed air,
babe her good day, and went away
When Lady Mary returned to the
sick-room the countess had fallen
asleep, and so she had both time and
9uietness for reflection. She now re-
mem bered that her mother, when she
received the forged letter, had written
both to Mr.. Coningsby and to Mrs.
Blunt. Tere was nothing in the let
ter she sent TO indicate that it was
written to Mrs. Blunt-in fact, il
could hardly seem to be. Was it
merel y by chance that her mother had
set it down as intended for Mrs. Bluntl
Or had she some private Information
of the way things were tending in
that quarter? One thing was certain,
the cause of Mr.. Coningsby not reply
ing to her mothers charge was now
evident; on consideration, he had
doubtless concluded that Mrs. Blunt
was better catch than the countess
| While Lady Mary was engaged IN
these reflections, her mother awoke.
She had been free from delirium for
some days past, and haG noticed, and
been greatly touched by, the devo-
tons of her daughter. All traces Of
their quarrel were gone; and mother
and daughter were on more affection
ate and confidential terms than they
had been since Lady Mary was a
child. Though by sad, regretful
expression that occasionally passed
over the countess face Lady Nary
knew she was thinking of her lost
lover and of the letter which had
caused her such pain, neither had
alluded once to the subject. On this
occasion, however, the countess sud
denly turned to her daughter and
SAID: "Have you heard anything Of
Mr.. Coningsby lately?"
mot much, mamma" answered
Lady Mary, vaguely, and in an en-
barrassed way.
HAS his engagement with Mrs.
Blunt been announced yet?' asked
the countess.
| Lady Mary started. How did she
know of his engagement? Was it
merely an inference from ssme infor-
nation she had before her illness
Or was it delusion of her delirium
still remaining with her? Lady Mary
would have given the world to have
asked her one or two questions; but,