The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-01-05
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHATTER VIII.

CHAPTER XXIIL
But Jeaunette's murderous scheme
was not a success.
In her anxiety to get rid of her
troublesome little tramp she had
given her a double dose, and it would
not remain in the stomach a sufficient
length of time to take the desired
effect. But for a whole long month
Lenora was not able to leave her bed.
Oh, what moments Of awful agony
hay Bristol spent during the first two
weeks Of Lenora's sickness, for he ex-
pected every moment that they would
tell him that she was dead.
His mother would not allow him to
go to the blue rooms during that time
How thin and pale she had grown
from her worry and watch The latter
part of the third week after that ter
able day, Mrs. Bristol found Ray sit
ting IN the library with his arms rest
ing on the table, while his face was
buried in the deep circle they formed.
Ny boy, what ails you OF late? You
have grown 50 pale and thin. Come,
tell me all, Ray; You know L love to
bear your burdens as well as share
your joys"
She gently laid her hand upon his
shoulder, but as Ray raised his head
and looked up into her face she shrank
back, Tor it did not seem possible that
this could be her Ray, her only boy.
His face was so thin, pale, and hag-
gard-looking; his eyes were fearless,
but in their deep, dark depths a sad,
lonely, indescribable expression rested.
As he looked up at his mother, she
read the plea for pity in his face
Ny precious boy, tell me all; I
know you are suffering, and do not
hesitate to tell me-
The tender, loving mother kissed the
white, noble forehead as the hot, throb-
bing temples rested on her bosom.
Can't You guess, mother, or do yOu
know all and do not want to speak vet ?"
lou know | am not good at guess
ing, Ray; but be frank. Is it our little
bird?"
Yes, it is she / 10 not know how
you feel about it, and | cannot help nv
own feelings, but | love her better than
do my own life. If she cannot be
mine, / do not care to live [ am con
Niuced that she is as pure and innocent
as a babe, but for some reason or other
Jeanuette does not think 81. would
give my right hand to know that
strange mystery which surrounds that
beautiful girl; she seems so far above
me, IN her beauty and purity Oh, 1
wish | could describe to YOU, mother,
the sweet comfort and pleasure it gives
me just to be near her. Life viii be
burden without her for my wife.
Ny dear boy, my heart aches for
You; but | know that You are old
enough and man enough to do what is
right. But are you sure that she loves
you? Perhaps you have given your
heart and happiness to one who could
not love YOU
oh, mother, l would stake my Iifs
that she loves me, and no one elsei
Didn't She call for me when she was
uucnnscious?'
yes, Ray, she called for no one else
Int You and lady friend of hers that
she calls Gertna. But there is some
thing strange about it all. She would
call toI you, and then say, Don't. don't
let HIM come, for he can't love me as [
Go him! | must get up and go away
from here-away, away off-for he
never can be more than a kind friend
to mel
Gertana. YOU will take me away.
won't you? You can see how | love
him! |, a poor. homeless, frieudless.
and penniless girl
Oh he can't care for such as mel
Good-bv, Ray! l must go, go far
away, and never see You any morer
She would stretch out her hands as
II reaching for you, Ray, and then she
would hide her little face in the pil-
lows and cry as If her heart would
break. It was ali very trying for me,
my dear boy, for l love you both so
much
As Mis- Bristol ceased speaking. Raw
looked up into her face, through She
tears that had at last come to his hot.
teyerish eyes.
Il told YOU, mother, that she loves
Ia and only too well do [ remember
the time she gave her heart to me.
oh, how hrayely she fought for herself!
Isn't God intended rs for each other.
aad ! can no more help loving her than
! 10 the light OF dayl"
God bless You, my boy. told her
nee that | would never ask her again
tell me anything about her past life.
Mt II it will relieve you any, Raw. |
III retract that and ask her to tell me
Il She remembers. | can believe every
World she SAYS"
Yes, indeed YOU can, for she would
not stoop TO tell a lie.
cry we'll, then, Ray: I will do all
that | can, and when l have succeeded
viii let Won know all.
les, but do not ask her now. wait
untIl she is stronger. When can [ see
Her? 1t seems sometimes that | can
n i wait moment longer, but must so
10 her"
You may see her, Ray. as soon as
She is able TO sit up, but not before
then.
And how long viii that be, pray ?"
The doctor says she must not leave
her bed for week vet"
That seems long time to wait.
bother when she has been calling for
he so much
"Gos. but She is not strong enough
u see you now. must leave you now
sd 20 to her
Ii Mrs. Bristol had but glanced to-
ward the sitting-room door as she left
TIE library, she might have seen a tall.
dirk figure glide into that room.
Every word that Ray and his mother |
Id spoken Jeanette had heard. |
Since her first wicked scheme had |
failed she was even more desperate /
t.lan ever, and now watched very close