Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-27

eous and considerable reception of nv
brusque words, but was in q distorted
mood, and it displeased me to observe a
momentary graciousness in her manner to
| the man who had proved himself to be
| our evil genius. However, preserved sill
ence, although my feelings must have
been apparent to all
Have you seen Mr.. Fleetwood this
morning?" asked Mdlle Rosalie.
The question was not directed to anyone
| In particular, and my wife answered no,
that she had not seen him. Then, once
more, Mdlle. Rosalie looked at me. And
| now in her strange g'ances l seemed to
detect hidden meaning which irritated
and confused me, because I could not in
! terpret it.
do you wish particularly to know If 1
have seen him?'' asked.
mo, SIR" she replied, quietly. "I was
asking generally. l observe that he has
not placed the usual flowers on the table"
This was a reference to mark of affec-
| ton and graceful attention which Samuel
Fleetwood was in the habit of paying my
wife and daughter. Every morning. when
| they came down to breakfast. there was a
posy for each Of them placed before their
accustomed seats at the table, and they
knew that the flowers came from this
faithful servant. On this morning there
were none. My wife had noticed the omis-
sion. but had made no remark upon it;
and if Mdlle. Rosalie spoke spitefully re-
specting it, a natural cause might be found
in the circumstance that Fleetwood never
honored her by such mark of attention.
In reply to her comment my wife simply
said:
"Mr. Fleetwood is too busily engaged in
his duties with Mr.. Wilmot."
81 dare say" responded Mdlle. Resale;
and the conversation dropped.
A couple of hours after breakfast, it be-
ing then about half-past eleven o'clock,
Mdlle RoSalie remarked that Mr. Wilmot
was later than he was on the preceding
morning, and my wife concurred, but add
ed that he must on no account be dis
turbed. AS She looked towards me for
confirmation, said that he had given ex-
plicit instructions that no one should 90
to his bedroom until he summoned them.
1t was an evidence of the wretched state
of my nerves that should feel annoyed
by Mdlle. Rosalie's simple repetition of
my words, Until he summoned them"
She was busy with piece of embroidery
which she was making for Eunice.
Another hour passed without q sign
from my uncle, and with the intention of
seeking Samuel Fleetwood | left the ladies
and proceeded in the direction of my un.
cle's apartments. On the way l entered
my own bedroom for a clean handker-
chief, and | casually observed a piece of
thin whipcord, the end of which was hang
ing down from beneath t he pillow of the
! couch upon which had slept. It did not
farther attract my attention, and, without
removing it, | went in search of Fleet
wood. He was not to be found. / ques-
toned the servants but not one of them
had seen him. 1 asked whether he had
had his breakfast, and the answer was
that he had not presented himself at the
breakfast-table, and that his absence had
been commented on. Knowing that he
was suffering from acute heart-disease,
and that my doctor had said he had not
long to live, proceeded to his room, adj
joining that of my uncle, fearing that he
might be I'LL. But Fleetwood was not in
his room. His bed had been made and
the apartment was in clean and orderly
condition 1o--~h+ +ha oh a II, nArr,. i'll
whose duty it was to attend to the bed
rooms, and ascertained that she had at
tended as usual to Fleetwood's room.
1.-THE bed had been slept in?" inquired
eyes, sir" replied the chambermaid.
"You are sure you have not seen himW
was not as tidy as I've seen it generally.
Things seemed to be in confusion"
To be continued.