The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-26
CHAPTER XVIII.
EIEAnr nE nnnE


The events Immediately following
the death of Edgar Van Wyck may be
at once passed over. The uncontrol
liable grief of the childless widow; the
awkward if genuine sympathy of the
humble neighbors; the funeral at the
house, and the burial in the rural GEM
etery; all these, the common incidents
of suffering humanity, have little to do
With our narrative.
On the afternoon of the day follow
ing that of the funeral, Mrs. Van
Wyck sat in her lonely house. Kind
visitors had been with her, but they
were all gone now, and with her great
Bible open before her, she was seek
ing consolation in the words of the
Psalmist
The tread of a horse outside caused
her to look up, and she saw through
the window Randall Belmont
He had considered correctly, that,
IN the condition of mind in which
Edgar had reached home Just before
his death, he could not have communi-
Gated to his mother what had occurred.
Why, then, should he wound her bleed
ing heart by telling her of what was
now only known to himself-her dead
boys attempted crime2 He decided
to say nothing about it, and to call on
the widow merely as kind and sym
pathiziug friend. AS such she receiv-
ed him, and he sat for half an hour
condoling with her as only such large
and generous natures can. He ended
the interview by delicately offering her
any assistance IN his power, and told
her that she might freely call upon for
help, at any time.
at isn't want of money that is likely
to trouble me, my dear young sir,
she said, while the tears fell fast. Il
have more than enough to keep me the
rest of my poor life, but l don't know
what to do with myself till am called
to join my husband and the children
who have gone before. I'm poor,
lonely soul now; everything has been
torn from me that ] cared for. / can't
stay IN this desolate house, and | don't
know where to CO."
Randall Belmont was possessed of a
sudden idea, and he acted upon it in
stantly. He told the widow that This
search had at last convinced him that
his father must be dead; that his mother
had died many years before He said
that he was the joint heir, with two
married sisters, of immense wealth :;
that his home was in a distant city,
where the great mansion of the Bel
monts was waiting for him to occupy it.
Il am not married." he pursued, al
though hope to be some day. | shall
need housekeeper at once on my re-
turn home, and she need not leave me
If should chance to marry. / have
never seen a person whom / would
prefer to You for such post. Come
with me, then, to the city, when l re-
turn, which will not be long hence :;
take this place, where you will be use
III, and find pleasant occupation. You
Will there make hosts of friends who
will help to make your loss a sorrowful
memory, instead of an ever-present
grief"
The widow was startled by this sud
den and unexpected proposition. and
reflected moment before she an
swered:
You are very kind to me Mr.. Bel
mont, she said, "and / feel like ac-
eeptlng your generous offer right away
but
"Well?"
L don't believe I'd do. I'm not used
to your city ways; you don't know me
well enough yet to risk such an offer"
I'm perfectly willing to take the
tremendous risk of this matter" he
replied, with smile. But I've an
other proposition to make to you, Mrs.
Van Wyck; and since you think I am
acting hastily in the first one. the sec
ond may show you that | am not.
Ever since l came to this vicinity have
stopped at the mn at Aylesworth.
Aequalntances | have made in the
village, but no friends; there is moth
ing 10 bind me to the place for a day.
My search is now practically finished,
SO that can dispense with all help i'm
medlately. I'd like to settle up at the
village tomorrow and come here. if