Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-10-29

Nancy snow, peWarel tou Stole my lover
from me l shall repay you know my
power. I shall steal your husband from you
Then tear your hair ss tore mine, and sob
and cry for death As, under your cruel hands,
sobbed and rayed and criedp
ssIf am not TO make Willie myown-why,
here have exposed myself 10 danger-let
me be struck down; but II / come forth
hence unhurt, then shall treat my life as
my own. Williei Williei by your weak
impulxive nature and by my beauty you
shall yet be minel After that come what
mayI"
II was most singular, however, that she
lid not give any thought TO the possibility
that her life might be spared, while her
beauty was destroyed Yetifthat happened,
she would be an enchantress no more, and
cold Nancy would be the victor forever.
CHAPTER K.
MRS. HARDcAsTLE LOSES THE TRICK
Time went by. The attack Of smallpox
was not severe, and the child soon began to
mend Maud Neville several times tried to
persuade Vanity that her presence with tho
little girl was no longer needed, and urged
her to leave; tut Vanity was resolved to 10
main In the dark room she still played her
part Of mother, and the child would mover
be still unless her mother was at hand.
Besides, Vanity reasoned that she would run
no greater nsk by remaining than she had
already incurred; for the disease would either
never attack her or she must be already in
fected To these considerations was added
her strange fatalistic idea, that il she died
through this daring act it would be well;
but il she escaped, she could henceforth live
after her own fashion Generous humanity
and true courage had brought her into this
infected room; tut a new strange motive
kept her there in sort Of fascinated state.
Sometimes she wished for death and the end
of all; at other times her heart beat with
wild thoughts; but even amidst the wild
thoughts there was certain relief in think
| ing that death might interpose, and make
the consummation which she at once desired
and dreaded an impossibility forever
Meanwhile she grew fond of her little
charge. The child was the most patient Of
sufferers; would whisper ''Thank you,
mamma" with grace and prettiness, every
time she was tended would ask mother to
sing, and would pipe in a few notes here and
there, stopping with sigh, and murmuring
that she was tired; then she would lie with
her tiny wasted hand in 'tmother's,n quite
content, lying on the brink Of the grave
with the serene unconsciousness OF childhood.
Vanity began TO feel new affection in her
breast, tenderness for this little child.
| All this time Mrs Hardcastlo drove over
daily in her great carriage and pair, and
made kind inquiries. The conduct or this
inestimable lady showed that she had been
duly endowed by nature with the instinct of
self-preservation. Her habit was to drive to
the borders of the ground, having first OBJ
served the quarter of the wind; for to make
things sure, and acting on her cherished
axiom That Providence helps those that help
| themselves, she had her weathercock
specially repaired for the crisis. Thus,
having pulled her carriage up something
| like a quarter of mile from the house,
| the thoughtful dame would select some young
child returning from the parish school, and
| would give the creature penny to go right
up to the house and say that Mrs. Hardcastle
was waiting. Hereupon some of the family
would repair to the spot, and begin CONVEX
sation over the hedge which inclosed the
grounds. At sight of this deputation Mrs.
Hardcastle would stand up in her carriage
and bring out a small watering pot filed
with the strongest vinegar, and with this en-
gine she would describe an aromatic semi
circle around herself, remarking invariably
that 1t was our duty to use the means. By
the time she had delivered herself Of these
valuable sentiments there was generally a
quart or two of vinegar on the high-road,
and the very horses were sneezing.
Then Mrs. Hardcastle would begin:
"How is the childF'
Usually the child was going on nicely.
Here the old lady would remark that this
was satisfactory, as far as it went. Then
came question number two:
| 'Has the Complaint caught the young per-
son yetg'
No; the young person maintained her CO.
dinary health.
| At this the old lady would remark that
there was considerable time left yet, and she
would pass on to question three:
''Has the Complaint come down stairs?'
No; the Complaint had not come down
stairs.
The old lady would look as If this were
somewhat unaccountable behavior on the
part of the Complaint, and after musing she
would put question four If Mrs Neville
happened to be the deputation, the question
took this form:
| MAUD you are not going to remain in
that houseln
Eyes" Maud would say, there is really
no danger
MAUD, the old lady would reply, in great
anger, 'you were always reckless lever
since you were four years old"
On one point the old lady was very press
ing, SO much that this seemed the prime mo
tive which induced her to expose her person
to such risk.
7 as Tom staying on with youF'
.sYes,n Maud would reply. HE is not
afraid
"Now, Maud, take advice,n Mrs. Hard
castle would say .Tom Pembroke is tempt
lng Providence. A young unmarried man,
too! Get HIM out of the house. Send him
up to London and let him take Turkish
bath; then let him burn all the clothes he
has worn; then let him come down and stay
H month with Georgina and myself, we will
take good care Of him. Georgina is quite
unhappy about Tom; it really goes to my
heart to see her fret
Maud enjoyed quiet smile all to herself.
That afternoon she dryly informed her
brother of Mrs. Hardcastle's proposal, de
. failing with satirical fullness the directions
as to burning the clothes and taking the Turk
ish bath. Tom Pembroke was highly
diverted, hut he was tied too, and planneI
revenge The next morning, when Mrs
Hardcastle's carriage storpei as usual neal
the fence, Tom stole secretlY along behind
the plantation, and suddenly appeared il
full view.
MAUD told me of your kind invitation,
he said, with friendly warmth. sYou arr
too good i-natured."
. II hope before you coma you will 30 dis
infected replied Mrs. Hardcastle. Thor