Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-22

BOSOM. III ) not the moonlight" she said /:
shall l tell you secret? Sometimes / am
not happy, either. Poor papa is dead. He
always liked you-l'm sure you are sorry for
him.
AstOnishment held Sydney speechIess. Be-
fore she could ask who had SO cruelty de
ceiyed the child, and for what purpose. the
nursemaid, standing behind her chair, warn
ed her to be silent by touch.
L think we are all unhappy now" Kitty
went on, still following her own little train
OF thought. Mamma isn't like what she
used to be. And even my nice captain hasn't
a word to say to me. He wouldn't come
back with us; he said he would go back by
HIMSELF
Another aIlusion which took Sydney by
surprise! She asked who the captain was.
Kitty started as if the question shocked her
''Oh, dear, DEAR this is what comes of your
going away and leaving usI You don't
know Capt. Bennydeck."
The name OF her fathers correspondent!
The name which she vaguely remembered to
have heard in her childhood! where did
you first meet with him?' she inquired.
AT the seaside, dear"
DO you mean at SandySeal?'
Eyes. Mamma liked him-and grand
mamma liked him (Which is wonderful
and gave him a kiss. Promise me not TO
tell! My nice captain is going to be nv new
papa"
Was there any possible connection between
what Kitty had just said and what the moor
child had been deluded into believing when
she spoke of her father? Even Susan SEEM
ed to be in the secret Of THIS strange second
marriage. She inteTftrcd with a sharp re-
proof. you mustn't talk in that wav Miss
Kitty. Please put her off your lap. Miss
WeSterfield; we have been here 700 long al
ready"
Kitty proposed a compromise. "PH 60"
she Said eff sgd will come with me.''
Pm sorry, my darling, to disappoint you"
Kitty refused to believe it. You couldn't
disappOint me if you tried" she said, boldly.
Indeed, indeed, I must go away Oh,
Kitty, try to bear it as do!'
EntreatieS We're useless; the child refused
to hear OF another parting. Il want to make
you and mamma friends again. Don't break
my heart, Sydney! Come home with me,
and teach me, and play with me, and love
mer'
She pulled desperately at Sydney's dress:
she called to Susan to help her. With tears
in her eyes. the girl did her best to help them
both, Miss WestertieId will wait here"
she said to Kitty, while you speak to your
mamma. Say yes" she whispered to Sgd
ney; ''itS our only chance"
The child instantly eXacted a promise. In
the earneStnpsS Of her love she even dictated
the words. Say it after me, as [ used to
say my lessons" she insisted. Say Kitty, l
promise to wait for you"
Who that loved her could have refused to
say 1t? In one form or another the hOITid
necessity for deceit had followed and was
Still following that first worst act Of false
hOod-the elOpement from Mount MOrven.
Kitty was now as eager to 90 as she had
been hitherto reSOlute to remain. She called
for Susan to follow her, and ran to the hotel.
My mistress won't let her come back
you can leave the garden that way" The
maid pointed along the path to the left and
hurried after the child.
They were gOne-and Sydney was alone
again.
At the parting with Kitty, the measure of
her endurance was full. Not even the fare
well at Mount MorVen had tried her by an
ordeal so cruel as this. No kind woman was
willing to receive her and employ her now.
The one creature left who loved her was the
faithful little friend whom she must never
see again. Il am still innocent to that child"
she thOught-''and [ am parted from her for
everp
She rose to leave the garden.
A farewell look at the last place in which
she had seen Kitty tempted her to indulge in
q moment of delay. Her eyes rested on the
turn in the path at which she had lost sight
OF the active little figure Fastening away to
plead her cause. Even in absence, the child
was Sydney'S good angel still. As she turn
ed away to follow the path that had been
shown to her, the relief Of tears came at last.
1t cooled her burning head; it comfOrted her
aching heart. She tried to walk on. The tears
blinded her-she strayed from the path-she
would have fallen but for a hand that caught
her and held her up. A mans voice. firm
and deep and kind, Quieted her first wild
feeling of terror. My child, you are not fit
to be by yourself. Let me take care of YOU
let me comfort you, ii CAM
He carried her back to the seat that she
had left, and waited by her in merciful ST.
lence.
you are very young to feel such bitter
sorrow" he said, when she was composed
again. L don't ask what your sorrow is; I
only want to know how l can help YOU
Nobody can help me-"
Can take you back to your friends?''
II have no friends"
pardon me, you have one friend at least
you have me-"
''You? A Stranger?'
mo human creature who needs my SYM
pathy i a stranger"
She turned toward him for the first time.
In her new position she was clearly visible
in the light. He looked at her attentivelv.
Il have seen you somewhere" he said, be
fore now"
She had not noticed him when they had
passed each other at SandyseaI. Il think
you must be mistaken" she answered. May
l thank you for your kindness? and may |
hope to be excused if L say good-night?"
He detained her. Are you sure that YOU
are we'll enough to go away by yourseIf?' he
asked. anXiOuSly.
Il am quite Sure!'
He still detained her. His memory of that
first meeting at the seaside hotel reminded
linn that he had seen her in the company Of
a man. At their second meeting she was
alone and in tears. Sad experience led him
to form his own conclusions. ''If you won't
let me take care of you," he said ''will YOU
consider if l can be of any use to You. and
Will YOU call at that address?' He gave her
his card. She took it without looking at it: