Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-20

and Sydney may have had quarrel Would
you mind asking mamma if that's true?" the
affectionate little creature said, anxiousiy.
You see, I can't help talking OF sgd, I'm SO
fond Of her; and l do miss her so dreadfulIy
every now and then; and Pm afraid-oh,
dear, dear, I'm afraid l shall never see her
againr She let her rod drop on the pier and
put her little hands over her face and burst
out crying.
Shocked and distressed, good Mr. Sarrazin
kissed her and cOnsOled her, and told anOth-
er eXcusable lie. TRY to be comforted Kitty;
Pm sure you will see her again"
His conscience repTOached him as he held
out that false hope. 1t could never be! The
one objectionable sin, in the judgment OF
fallible human creatures like herself, was
the sin that Sydney Westerfeld had com
mitted. Is there something wrong in human
nature or something wrong in human laws?
All that is best and nobleSt in us feels the in
fuence OF lOve-and the rules of society de-
clare that an accident of position shall decide
whether love is a virtue or a crime.
These thoughts were in the lawyers mind.
They troubled and disheartened him; it was
a relief rather than an interruption when he
felt Kitty's hand on his arm. She had dried
her tears, with child's happy facility in
passing from one emotion to another, and
was now astonished and interested by
marked change i'll the weather.
Look for the Iakep' she cried. 'FYou
can't see it."
A dense white fog was closing round them.
It's stealthy advance over the water had al
ready begun to hide the boat house at the
end Of the pier from view. The raw cold of
the atmosphere made the child SILVER AS
Mr.. SarraZin took her hand to lead her in
doors he turned and looked back at the faint
outline Of the boat house disappearing in the
fog. Kitty wondered. do you see any
thing" she asked.
He answered that there was nothing to see
in the absent tone of a man busy with his
own thoughts. They took the garden path
which led to the cottage. AS they reached
the door he reused himself and looked round
again in the direction of the invisible lake.
"WaS the boat house Of any Use now" he
inquired-'waS there a boat in it for in
stance?" There was capital boat, tit to
90 anywhere" and man to manage it?"
''To be sure the gardener was the man; he
had been a sailor once, and he knew the lake
as we'll as" Kitty stopped, at a loss for
a comparison. LAS well as you know YOUR
multiplication table," said Mr. Sarrazin
dropping his serious question on a sudden.
Kitty shook her head. Much BETTER she
honestly acknowledged.
Opening the brealIfaSt-rOOm door they saw
Mrs PreSty making coffee. Kitty at once
retired. When she had been fishing ter
grandmamma incuIcated habits Of order by
directing her to take the rods to pieces and
to put them away in their cases in the Ium-
ber-rOOm. While she was absent Mr.. Sar-
Tod MT
if Mrs. Linley had thought it over in the
night, and had decided on applying for a oil
YOrce.
Il know nothing about my daughter"
Mrs. Presty answered, except that she had
bad night. Thinking, no doubt, over your
advice" the old lady added with mischiev-
Gus smile.
will you kindly inquire if Mrs Linley
has made up her mind yet?" the lawyer vent
ured to say.
Isn't that your b,lsiness?' Mrs. Presty
asked silly. Suppose you write little note
and l will send it up to her ROOM" The
worldly wisdom which prompted this sug-
gestion contemplated possible necessity for
calling domestic council, assembled to con-
slider the course of action which Mrs. Linley
would do well to adopt If the influence OF
her mother was among the forms of persua-
sion which might be tried, that wary relative
Unanswered to make the lawyer speak tirst,
and so to reserve to herself the advantage of
having the last word.
Patient Mr. SarTazin wrote the note.
lie mOdeStly asked for instructions; and
he was content to receive them in one word
yes or no. In the event of the answer be-
ing yes, he would ask for few minutes
conversation with Mrs. Linley, at her earli-
est convenience. That was all.
The reply was returned in form which
left yes to be inferred: Il will receive you
as soon as you have finished your breakfast"
CHAPTER XXVu.