Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-15


means of the reflection in an opposite
mirror, that Freda Morton was standing
by the table arranging the contents OF
her little writing desk. Presently she
took up a small case evidently contain
ing photograph, and looked long and
earnestly at it. Theu she raised it sud
denly to her lips and kissed it passionate
IL many times.
Hilda and I waited breathlessly for g
few moments then 1 moved across the
room and greeted Winnifred as though
we had Just come in. She came forward
to meet US, her radiant smiling self
although l could see there were tears in
her eyes. After few minutes she went
upstairs to put on her bonnet and to look
for Mabel, and then Hilda and I stole
over to the table on which we could still
see the little case lying where Freda had
put it down. Orr first feeling was sur
prise at seeing the photograph of q
young man, having always supposed Mr.
Morton to have been middle-aged, if not
elderly. Indeed, we had inferred as much
from various little speeches made by the
girls.
We were so absorbed in the contem pIa-
ton of the photograph, that we did not
perceive Mable's entrance until she st God
beside US.
"Oh," she said, $50 Freda has shown
you that. Is he not handsome man ?''
"Very handsome said. "What ter
rible grief his death must have been to
Freda!"
An odd sort of look came over Mabers
face. "People get over such things" she
said, after a pause.
''Was he fond of Freda?"
Exceedingly fond of Der, and she of
him. But here she is" as her step was
heard on the stairs. "Put down that
picture, Rosa"
| Aud Freda came in, dressed for walk
ing, in her coquettish little windows bon
net.
Glow cool and comfortable you girls
look in your hats!" she said. Il think
[ must get one, too, and leave off this
! horrid bonnet. I'm sure, dear Mr.. Mort
on would not like me to get sunburt.
| Would he Mab?"
"You know BEST" said Mabel shortly.
"I certainly think you ought to get the
| hat" she added, after moment.
During the walk Frsda was the gayest
of the gay, laughing and talking inces-
sanity. AS we parted from her at her
own door, she said:
$50, Mabel tells me chat you have seen
my husbands picture. What do you
think of him?"
l muttered some commonplace about
| the portrait, in the midst of which Freda
suddenly snatchad away her hand, which
| she had left in mine, and ran into the
| house.
One day my mother and [ were sitting
at work in the drawing room, Edmun
/ in
chair, which was partly concealed by a
couple of tall palms. Suddenly Hilda
| burst into the room in state of the wild
est excitement.
"Mother, Rose-whom do you think
I have seen just now at the postoffce?
Dear Mr.. Morton"
'sDo you mean his ghost?"
'I mean himself in the fesh-asking
where Miss Heath lived. He has pleas
ant voice."
''But my dear" said my mother, Z" didn't
he die? Die of an illness, mean? Was
he lost at sea or anything of that sort?''
81 never heard particulars Of his DEATH y
said Hilda, considering, 81 believe he was
a sailor, SO probably he was lost at sea.
Anyway he is in Longmede at the pres
| ent moment"
Chow do you know it is he?"
"Rose and 1 once saw his photograph.
I could not mistake him, he is such
striking locking man."
"CouId this be his brother?"
"Don't you remember Freda's once
telling us that she had no people-in-law?
Besides this man has a slight scar across
his forehead which I also noticed in the
photograph. No, it is dear Mr.. Morton.
1 wonder if Freda will be glad to see
him." she added significantly.
Then [ suddenly remembered Edmund,
and glanced in his direction. He was
very pale and the hand that held his book
trembled.
When my mother and Hilda had left
the room. he said:
'Rose, shall go up 20 London tonight
and try if the berth that was offered to
me on board the Venetia is still to be
had. wrote a refusal yesterday, but by
going up tonight may still secure it,
"Must you go, Edmund?"
81 cannot stay here" he said "and
think life would be more endurable at
sea than on shore. Come and help me
with my packing, Rosie, there's good
girl"
Edmund went to town that night, in
/
H1lda and l remained devoured by curios-
ity concerning Mr.. Morton. We debated
as to whether it would be right to call
but disliked intruding. However, on the
third day, having heard nothing, either
of Mrs. Morton or her newly found hus
band, we decided that it would be only
kind to call, and were just setting out
WI en- a ring came to the door, and III
waIked the two sisters ACCOMPANIED By
the original of the photograph, the latter
displaying a goodly length of limb in ad
dition to the handsome bearded heac
with which we were already familiar
Mrs. Morton was still in mourning, bu
she had discarded the widows bonnet
and wore small straw hat, similar tt
MabePs. NY mother went over to Fredt
and kissed her affectionately, speaking
! some words of congratul&tion, and theI
turning to the stranger, greeted him also
addressing him as Mr.. Morton.
ssMy name is Heath" he said, in q uie
we'll bred voice; and then Mabel, seeing
the look of blank establishment in IN.
mothers face, struck in
s'Our brother, Mrs. Leslie. asst com
home from Australia"
'sYour brother! Winfred, my dear,
beg your pardon. l am so sorry for hav
ing distressed you," for Freda vas sohb
ing Historically, with, it seemed to me
more laughter than tears Ia her voice.
! ''She il distressed because she j
ashamed, Mrs Leslie" said Mr.. Heath
II have come here to-day to insist upol
4 nv sisters making full acknowledges
5 of the deception they have practiced up
= on your family, and to beg you will kind
"a 30 hoy, If 40