Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21
a little eagerly at the name-''Mr. Dau.

beney."
That did not help me much. There
could be no harm in seeing him however,
very likely it was only some one about
the gas, the water-rates, or one of the
hundred-and-one matters that bring
nondescript individuals to villa residences
SO I said calmly
''Show the gentleman in, Jane" and
looked over at little Reggie, who was
playing on the rug with a picture-book.
and babbling in baby-fashion to himself.
When Mr.. Daubeney entered, I rose
and bowed. He was tall middle-aged
man with dark hair and eyes.
81 trust, Miss Clark, that you will par
don the liberty have taken,' he began,
shut | have favor to ask"
a favorI What could it be? I ran
over various things in my mind. He
was not the gas or water-rate man, but
he might be a wine-merchant's agent OF
a collector for a missionary society.
''Pray sit down." said nervously: and
he availed himself of the permission With
smile, little Reggie staring at him as
only children can stare.
Mr.. Daubeney smiled again as he caught
sight of the child.
Charming little fellowl Won't YOU
come and shake hands, my little man?"
Reggie not your little man, and Reg
gle won't!' was the prompt answer, and
Mr.. Daubeney turned to me with court
eous bow.
81 came simply to crave your permits
sion to sit in your garden and finish a
picture l have commenced. tits sketch
of Putin Rock, and I see that the view
from your garden is perfect. l am an
artist, madam, as you may suppose"
| did not suppose anything of the kind
and thought that he could get Just as
good view of Putin Rock from the
shore, but did not say so. Still the man
could not do any harm by sitting in the
garden. He would very likely take cold
but that was no affair of mine. Sol gave
my consent little ungraciOusly; and, af-
ter thanking me very profusely, he rose
to take leave, once more making some
advance towards Reggie.
GA little relative of yours, I presumed
he Intercepted.
'No; he is Mrs. Carrington's little boy
our next-door neighbor," replied, and
wondered at the same moment what ii
could matter to the stranger who the
child was.
"Carrington?" he repeated. "Can they
be the Carringtons I used to know? Is
Mr.. Darlington thin dark MANI"
''I have not seen Mr.. Darlington" ]
answered.; ''and Mrs. Darlington lives
with her mother, Mrs. Matthews; but
they may be your friends Of course"
"Ah, no! They could not be my Car
ringtons-her mothers name was not
Matthews. Thanks for giving me per-
mission to sketch from your garden; and
with your leave will avail myself of it
tomorrow"
So saying, he bowed himself out; and
on the morrow he sat for two hours in
cold wind, painting most indUstriously.
''He won't come again, [ decided, af-
ter that experience of the northeast wind.
But on the following day he again ap-
peared, easel, paint-box, and all, and
once more took up his station facing the
sea.
In the afternoon Mrs. Carrington called
to see little Reggie. Finding the stranger
in my garden, she paused suddenly, and
appeared as if she were going back. She
changed her mind however, and, looking
nervously at Mr.. Daubeney, hurried past
him upto the door. Almost Immediately
afterwards Mr.. Daubeney was also an
nounced.
Mrs: Darlington turned ashy pale, and
bowed her head over Reggie's golden hair
as the child nestled in her lap.
81 beg your pardon, Miss Clark" said
Mr.. Daubeney, just glancing at Mrs. Car
rington's shrinking figure, "but may ]
ask your servant for glass of wateri
My sketches are water-colors, and find
1 have come without any of that neces-
sary commodity"
Certainly, Mr.. Daubeney;" I replied,
ringing the bell.
When he had gone off with his glass of
water, Mrs. Darlington raised her head,
and asked in a whisper
"Who is that MANI
''I really don't know-an artist, he
says; and he asked leave to paint Putin
Rock from my garden" returned, Won
dering at her extreme agitation.
eff [ could feel sure" she nurnnured
eff could only feel safe for a few
short weeks!-and she burst into tears.
'My dear Mrs. Darlington, what is
what could Mr.. Daubeney have to do
with your"
Il don't know" she said, shivering as
if from cold or fright.
"EIe seemed to fancy that you might
be friends of his, 1 said, ''when he heard
your name first"
81 know" she replied in a whisper. 81
know feel that he has come here to
watch-to spy. Oh, # we could only
have remained hidden little 1ongerI Ii
can be only a very little time now!"
What could it mean? l pondered her
words without arriving at any solution
of the difficulty. That her terror was
something very real and painful there
could be no doubt; but how Mr.. Daub-
eney, daubing away at his pictures, could
have anything to do with her passed my
comprehension.
Two or three days later 1 saw strange
man walking up and down in front of
No. 2, looking up at the windows, and
then strolling on a bit and standing, with
his hands in his pockets, staring at the
sea. All day he remained about, never
going out of sight, and evidently watch
ing something or somebody. Ought l to
warn Mrs. Darlington? I did not like to
brighten her; but, when dusk came on,
and I could still make out the figure of a
man sauntering up and down, 1 decided
that would run in and give Mrs. Car
rington hint that the house was being
watched. So, transferring Reggie to
James charge, with a box of beads to
thread for his amusement, I went in
boldly. walking past the man, who Just
glanced at me carelessly, and then re-
sunled his pacing up and down.
Mrs. Darlington looked more troubled
and unhappy than usual.
Show is Mrs. Matthew's" I asked.
''Much worse. l have been up all
night" she answered quietly, her white
cheeks and dull heavy eyes confirming
her words.
81 wish you would let me send for
DOCTOR" said.
''Impossible!'' she replied hastily. "No
doctor could do any good, and yet, oh, it