Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-14


at our mothers picture.
you are like her, Guy, when you are
pleased; when you are angry, you are your
father himself"
''Have you ever seen me angry, MousieP''
Sometimes.
She was looking very lovely this morning.
Her hair, which was very luXuriant and of
that lovely blond cendre the old painters
loved, was falling down her back in two
broad plaits tied with ribbon; her dress was
of gray with a bright mauve knot at her
throat; her face was flushed, her eyes, lovely
velyet-brOWn eyes, were cleaning. Her step
mother, looking superbly handsome in a
morning dress of purple, fastened at her waist
with curiously-wrought band and gold tas-
sells, was strolling on with Lord Oldham,
talking of art and artists like connoisseur.
We had been halfway down the line of DE-
funct Tredegars, gallant-looking mon In
doublet and corselet, pretty women in various
costumes, handsome Cavaliers and dainty
Court ladies' when Guy was summoned to re-
ceive some rather important information
from his steward.
'tBertie, will you excuse me for short
time? Mr. Paliser, will you take my place
and show Miss Leonhardt our lions? You
are almost as well acquainted with them as l
am"
As he went off, BERTHE looked after him,
with her radiant face nodding and smiling
Git was the last time we saw it so bright
then, as he disappeared, she turned to Mr.
Paliser and addressed him with graceful
courtesy and Difference which must have been
winning to the old clergyman, who had held
the living of Tredegar during two genera
tons. They went on together, stopping short
before one of the pictures to examine it more
ial1 II 4Joros
chamber furnished in dark oak richly and
deliberately carved, which, with the heavy
velvet hangings, made rather gloomy back
ground. A handsome man in the prime of
life, wearing Cavalier dress, his long love
locks falling round his handsome debonair
face, was sitting in a careless attitude on the
side of the heavy fOur-post bedstead, his eyes
fixed on Shadowy figure standing just with
in the closed door, the figure of woman
with long falling hair, and one hand raised
as II IN reproof or warning, while at the
painted window a small white bird was beat
ing its snowy plumage against the glass
This picture represented a legend which
had been handed down for some generations
in our family. 1t was stated that our anceS-
tor Rene Tredegar had just retired on the
night OF his tWenty-ninth birthday. Gallant
Cavalier though he was, report said that Rene
was TOlLe, renowned even among the TOlteS
who were by no means rare in Charles lis
Court 1t was whispered that fair young
girl, Cicely Wadman, the daughter of wood
man on the estate had owed her ruin to him,
and had hidden her shame in death; that on
the night on which the GaryOr's waters had
closed over the erring, loving, broken heart
white figure had appeared to Rene and had
Solemnly cursed him, telling him that no
10 INFsOrlO Il a.,
and that three nights before the death of each
she would appear and warn him of his APP
preaching end. 1t was runored also that
Rene had spoken, asking her if she were
Cicely Wadman, and that white figure had
solemnly shaken her head, pointing with her
hand to the bird beating its snowy breast
against the glass, and which, as she pointed,
flew upwards with a mournfu Very.
So ran the legend. By a series of strange
condolences, no male Tredegar had during
the last four generations reached his thirtieth
year, and all but one had met death by ac-
cident or violence. My own father had died
| at twenty-Seyen, his elder brother meeting his
| death at TWENTY-FIVE BIZ the laundering of his
yacht in the Baltic. Still we never attached
the least importance to the Legend; and it
was with the greatest surprise that saw its
effect on BERTHE, as Mr.. Paliser gave her an
explanation of the picture, laughing heartily
at the idea of supernatural visitor and treat
| ing the story, as we all did, as an old legend
not worthy moments credence. Bertie as
she listened grew deadly PALE and stood as
if turned to stone.
rs it true?' she asked, in an awe-struck
voice so full of pain that Mr.. Paliser grew
very grave.
Miss Leonhardt," he said, ''you don't
really give a moments serious belief to any
thing so absurd? If Guy were here, he would
indeed laugh at you"
'But Guys father?' questioned BERTHE,
shivering.
"Died at twenty-seven, and his grandfath-
er when he was a year younger" answered
the clergyman. "a strange coincidence
doubtless, but nothing more! Here comes
Guy; he looks like dying, does he not, Miss
Bertie?"
Regardless of appearances, BERTHE sprang
to him and chung convulsiveIy to his arm.
what is it, my child?' he said anxiously;
then, guessing the cause of her agitation, he
laughed gay ringing laugh. You foolish
little woman, I must indeed scold you if you
are going to have Mysteries at all our legendsW
She drew a long sObbing sigh of terror, and
then, looking up, seemed to gather strength
from the proud honest eyes looking into hers.
"Oh, Guy, forgive me; but such strange
presentiment of i'll came over me as I listen
ed! See-1 am better now. I am not afarid
when you are near," she went on, as Mr..
Paliser moved away; ''you are so strong, Guy
bear with me-"
Guy drew her away to deep oriel window,
and there stopped and pressed long tender
kiss on the fair pale brow.
Il hope you will never have a care you will
not let me bear for you, nlignonne," he said
gently. Still [ am grieved to think that
foolish picture has upset you"
Secure in the curtained recess, Berries
head sank upon his breast.
You are not angry, Guy?" she whispered.
ANGRY with you, Bertie?'
''See," she went Output your hand close
to my heart and feel how it beats. Such a
strong hand! All, Guy, as your hand is
stronger than mine, so is your heart brayerl
The thOught'-She shuddered-'was too
| dreadful
As the days slipped by, BERTHE won her way
closer to every heart at Tredegar. Our grand
mother Lady Kilmaine had taken the great
est fancy to her ever since BERTHE, with her
graceful foreign courtesy, had stopped to kiss
the withered jeweled hands. Guy seemed to
live only for her, and lavished on her so
many beautiful gifts that BERTHE said laugh
| iugly she could start jewelers. shop; but a
shade fingered on the fair young face which
never wholly left it, a sort of unspoken dread,
which always seemed to haunt the great
brown eyes l was perhaps the only one who
noticed it. and it may have been fancy, for,
in reply TO my question, ''You are happy, lit
tla SjSfar9' Of