The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-07-19

| (AAAAMSlMENp his stay with us, we
| S * IA thought it would add
esaSsEHraYA to his comfort if we
assigned to Fleetwood
the Office of attending solely upon him. With
the intention of apprislng Fleetwood OF his
new duties, l was on the point OF summoning
him when ho made his appearance.
care you better this morning, Mr.. Fleet
wood?" asked my wife.
He replied, in IL grateful voice, that he felt
easier and thanked her f"clingly for some
soup and jelly which she herself had pre-
pared for him. My wife had that perfect
knowledge of household duties and that per-
| feet mastery Of them which add 80 much to
the comfort Of a home. In soups, jellies,
preserving, and picking she was pre-em!-
nent, and it was often pleasure TO her to
busy herself in these agreeable services.
Il shall continue to mako soup and jelly"
she said to Fleetwood, "and other things Us
woll, which you must tuke. Knowing that
have specially prepared them for you, you
will not neglect them.''
Everything that comes from you madam, "
replied Fleetwood, "is valued and honorcd.' ;,
"These things will make you strong" said
my wife, "and assist your recovery to perfect
health"
There was no mournfulnoss or repining in
the smile with which he answered her; it
was gentle and resigned.
I'VE are in Gods hands, madam" ho said.
"She gave him q compassionate look, and
then, in her presence, told Fleetwood what
we had resolved upon with respect to Mr..
Wilmot. He expressed n choerful acquies-
cence, and promised to do everything that lay
in his power for our expected visitor.
HE is an old gentleman" 1 said, "and
may require attendance in the night You
will sleep in the room adjoining his"
''Yes, sir" said Fleetwood; and, this mat
ter being settled, my wife left us, having
household duties to attend to.
"You have something to say to me-" 1 said,
observing that Fleetwood fingered.
81 was coming TO seek you, sir" was his re-
sponse. "I found these in tho garden this
morning"
Reproduced my cigar-case, with its mono
gram of raised silver letters, and lady's sill
yer back-comb of peculiar design, which
Mdlle. Rosalie usually wore in her hair.
"Why do you bring mo this comb?" asked.
1T belongs to Mdlle. Rosalic."
Il know, sir, but the two were lying to-
gether. and thought 1t right to bring them
both TO You."
His manner was not offensive but it struck
me rs being more than ordinarily sad.
"There is nothing right or wrong in it,"
remarked. sit is q simple accident that
these two articles were found together. |
must have dropped my csar-case as 1 was
walking in the garden last night" 1t i'm
pressed itself upon me here that speaking
on tho subject was unconsciously causing
me annoyance. and 1 said. IL little testify,
''Take the comb to Mile. Rosalie, and tell
her where you found it,"
81 beg you to excuse me, SIR" said Fleet
wood, respectfully. "and to give the task to
another person."
l was reminded OF the promise had tac-
lilly conveyed to Mdlle. Rosaie that would
set her right with the man who regarded
her with suspicion.
Fleetwood, you do not like Mdlle. Rosa.
nc?"
II have the strongest dislikoto her, SIR"
"It has grown"
81 own to it, sir-to something almost like
aversion"
"a short time since you communicated
your dislike and supicions to me. Time mas
not softened them?"
at has strengthened them, sir. Perhaps
am wrong" and here he hesitated with al
expression of pain in his face, "in speaking
to you about Mdlle. Rosalie?"
Not at all. Go on, Fleetwood, il you have
anything more to say"
1.-The new man in the garden, sir-Red-
wing-is the man she meets in secret in Ivy
bush Lane"
II am aware of it,"
Hitherto his eyes had been averted from
me now they were turned towards me in as
constituent.
Il beg your pardon. SIR" he said, "rol
interfering"
"rhere is no question of interfering
Fleetwood, l said. at is that we have dor,
n young lady an injustice. What am abou
to conilde to you is II secret; and, rs it is no
our secret, it must be respected. Mr.. Red
wing-it is, possibly, not his real name, but
in the circumstances. he may be excused fol
assuming it's not Mdlle. Rosalcs lover
He is her brother"
"Indeed, sir" said Fleetwood in tone o
| 0Onstraint.
"She has disclosed to me certain partieu
lars OF her past life which have satisfied mt
that wc have not done her iustice-you and
mean. Ny wife and daughter are very
fond OF her. There is no need to say any
more, is there?"
mo, sir; it is Hot for mo to continue tC
harp upon the matter. But cannot under
take to like her"
Il will not attempt TO force your inclina
tion but wish it were otherwise. Only you
must not show any open dislike to her"
II will bear in mind what you say. SIR"
With that he took his departure. with, as