Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-06-14
CHATTER Y.-THE GREAr KING.

on the morning before Mona was to be
changed into Mrs. Leslie Waring.
She had been persuaded to sleep in her
own room again, as Mrs. Newburgh seemed
so much better, and quite reconcled to a
nice new maid-sent her from the country
by Lady Mary Everard.
Glow is my grandmother" was Mona's
first question, when this functiOnary
brought her hot water.
Nicely, miss; she was fast asleep when
left the room"
II will ring as soon as I am dressed. Did
you speak to Mrs. Eewburgh?"
No miss; she looked so still and quiet,
I thought it best not to disturb her"
Perhaps you are right 1 will come
directly"
Mrs Newburgh's eyes were open when
her granddaughter approached; she smiled
kindly and family. When Mona asked her
if she would like 10 get up, she smiled a
peculiar dreamy kind Of smile, and muir
INJURED in a muffled voice
Yes, dear, Of course should"
Mona therefore put her arm under her
shoulders to help her in rising, which was
always little difficult.
''Thank you, my love-" she said, i'll the
same indistinct way, smiling as she spoke,
and sitting on the side of the bed. her feet
did not at first touch the floor.
Assisted by Mona, she put them down,
rasolutely, but fell back Immediately, sill
ent and motionless.
It took all Mona's strength to keep her
inert form from slipping OFF the bed, while
she stretched her hand to the belI-rope
which hung beside it. The new lady's-
maid came running st the summons.
Help me to lay her downr' Whispered
Mona
The mail assisted to rllce her III peI.
She was rigid, and very heavy.
Can her, L en-" said Mona, as she
turned away + pt some restorative.
Lord bless CO. ma'am!' exclaimed the
woman, in an aWe-struck tone; 81 do be
Ieye she is goner'
''Impossible" cried Mona, rushing to her
side. why she has only just been speak
ing 30 me. She often faints; send for the
doctorw
''Ah! no doctor will do her any good,
poor lady; her heart is quite STILL" laying
her hama on it, ''and her eyes-just look at
them, miss-open and CLASSY"
81 cannot believe it! Try and give her
this" hastily measuring cut the prescribed
quantity of medicine.
Ellen shook her head-and obeyed. It
was In vain. Wehper was dispatched for
the doctor, but before he came-Mona's
hopes were over. Her grandmother. her
one real friend, was dead! She could not
doubt what that gray pallor, the deadly
stiffness, the stiffened form meant-Still
she could not realize that she should never
hear her speak, never turn to her for
guidance never attend to her little wants
again.
The doctor came quickly, and at once de-
clared that life was quite eXtinct-thaJ he
had always anticipated sudden death for
his patient Her heart was weak, and 50
much emotion as had tried her of late had
rendered all eXartion, all agitation, dan
gerous; and probably the effort to rise and
stand up, was the final feather which broke
the strained cord of life.
1t seemed to poor dazed Mona that Sir
Robert and Lady Mary Egerard appeared
as if by magic. What q s0lace it was to
throw herself into kind Lady Mary's arms
and tell her brokenly how deeply she
mOurned the thoughtful-if tyrannical
protectress, to whom misfortune had linked
her so closely.
''Well, dear, y0E may rest assured that
the near prospect of your marriage soothed
and frightened her last hours; and it is
great comfort to know she was in a happy
frame of mind. Sir Robert has sent round
to Mr. Warning. He will be here immedi-
ately, no doubt, and will be your best sup.
port"
"Oh! no, no! You are best You knew
poor dear grannie SO well, and she was sc
fond Of you"
'Daar Old Lady! OF course, at such q
painful crisis, oil friends count for great
deal. I think dear, you must come back
with me to Charles street. [ cannot leave
you here alone"
NO, Lady Mary, I will not leave the
house while poor grannie lies helpless here.
feel bound to keep by her to the last"
A message from Sir Robert brought
Waring as fast as Il welI-paid driver could
urge his horse. Mona was not in the draw
ing-room when he reached it, and he was
somewhat discounted when Lady Mary
came and explained that Mona was too
much overcome 10 see him-that she was
in her own room.
But she will see me presently, will she
not?" he asked, appealingly. 81 thought
it might be a comfort to her to talk to me-
she is terribly upset"
1t was not till considerably later-after
Waring and Sir Robert had arranged the
details of the funeral, and all that apper-
tanned to it-that Mona was induced to see
her affianced husband.
Mona was ready enough to speak of her
sorrow. She was gently grateful for his
sympathy, but she would not sit beside
him, her head on his shoulder, and his
arm round her, nor did she permit q course
of consolation compounded of whispers,
kisses and assurances that the whisperer
would be brother and sister and grand
mother and everything to her. She was
so dazed and overwhelmed that Waring
was gravely uneasy about her, and it was
an immense relief to him to know that
Nine Debrisay (vho had heard Of the sad
event in some occult manner) was in the
house, and would spend the night with her
favorite pupil.
Established custom governs all things
the deepest grief-the widest JOY. The
dreary days-which fingered yet went 50
swiftly-sped on, and poor Mrs. Newburgh
was laid in her grave. Her viii, leaving
all she possessed to Mona, was duly read.
her few jewels and personalities packed
ND. The former went with Mona to Har-
rowby Chase.
Mona took cold on her journey, and for
a fortnight was very unwell-so feverish,
in fact, as to wander in her speech, and to
cause her kind hosts good deal of anxiety.
She was utterly lonely. She had no near
relative. The Eyerards were more closely
allied by friendship than by blood to Mrs.
Newburgh. She had heard of many other
cousins in her grandmother's lifetime, but