Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-03-07

ldHneE anu VIII fCig hSLA WIN
out her"
We talked little more on the subject
until was dismissed; and had plenty OF
food for my thoughts when l went back
to the quiet nursery.
CHAPTER XXIu.-RINGTNG THE CHANGES.
1t pleased me greatly to hear that Gay
1ould be mistress of Marshlands; could
not imagine the place without her bright
presence. She would still have her pets
around her, her bees and chickens, and
her brown mare Bonnie; the tame pleas
ants would still follow her up and down
the terrace, the pigeons fly on her arms
and shoulders: she wouid ride out with
the old squire, and sing to him of an even
ing, and Walter Rossiter would be son
to him in his old age. | thought it would
be an ideal life, and 1 found out that my
mistress thought so, too.
She often talked to me about it wher
we were left alone. and Of her young sis
ter's happiness: and when Gay had leis-
ure hour she would run up to the nurs
cry, and chat about her 'uture, telling me
everything she thought | should like tt
hear.
After a week or two Mr.. Rossiter can't
to Princes Gate, and then | saw little o.
Gay; my nursery duties occupied me
and she was too much engroSSed with heI
lovers company to give me much of heI
time.
Mr. Rossiter had brought sad piece OF
news with him that | was sorry to hear
Mr. Hawtry had returned from Venice
bringing his cousin with h N to the Red
Farm but a few DAYS ago he had met
with an accident in the huntin g-feld; hiI
mare had thrown him In jumping gate.
1t was a young mare he bad lately bought,
and she had not been properly broken in:
the result had been Il broken leg to her
master Gay could not quite tell me how
it had happened. Mr.. Hawtry was too
good hOrseman to be easily thrown, but
he had fallen in an awkward place, and
it was only by miracle he had not been
killed.
His cousin, Edgar Hawtry, was nursing
him; but it was likely to be a tedious af-
fair.
l noticed that Mrs. Morton and Gay
seemed to take this accident greatly to
heart: they were ALWAYS abiding to it,
and looking eagerly for bulletins FROM
MarshIands. There would he few men
more missed than Hawtry," | heard Mr..
ROssiter say one day, when he and Gay
were in the nursery playing with the chill
dsen. q should not be here now if Edgar
were not with him: but he is famous
nurse. Mrs. Cornish tells me-"
was glad to think that poor Mr.. Haw-
try was not left alone, to miss his mother
and Miss Agnes. He was so strong and
active, so full of life and energy, that we
could not imagine HIM prisoner to his
couch. 7 had heard a great deal of this
young artist cousin, whom he had nursed
through long and dangerous illness in
Vanjpa 10 ljfrbt baarta1 honl
some young fellow. and was glad to know
that he was at the Red Farm taking care
of Mr. Hawtry.
Mr.. Rossiter and Cav left us little be
fore Christmas Mr.. ROssiter's duties re-
called him to NethertOn, and Gay could
not well remain longer. Mrs. Markham
was to accomplish her fitting with the
New-Year, and then Gay would assume
her position as mistress of Marshlands.
She came to rs again early in February
to get her trO1tsSCGlt. and remained three
weeks. Her wedding was fixed for the
end Of April. | saw a good deal of her
during those weeks. She would take us
with her in the carriage sometimes when
she went on her shopping expeditions;
sometimes we helped her with her pur-
cnaSeS unu1I reggie grew restless ana
carried him out
She was very sweet and humble in her
happiness. and would often tell me how
little she deserved it. DO we ever de-
serve it?'' she said once. as we were driv.
ing through the park one late afternoon.
Reggie had fallen asleep on my lap.
joyce sat opposite. looking at the twink
ling gas lamps ard the pale radiance of
distant water GAY leaned back in her
place Il little wenrilY, but her eyes were
shining in the dusk. 81 do not think
any Of MS deserve it, Merle; it is a free
gift to all of u.s. for which we must be
thankful"
"Yes." returned, briefly, for I would
not interrupt the solemnity of her mood
ny any ill-timed compliment: and yet, in
my heart, | believed no one deserved hap
piness more 1t would not be wasted on
her, ] knew that; she was one of those
who receive with both hands, and then
give il back again to others. ] knew she
and Walter Rossiter would lead noble
lives together. doing their duty simply
and without effort. not looking for large
results, but carrying good seed with them
and scattering it broadcast with no mig
gardly hand
Theirs would be a bright, sunny home,
! was quite sure of that-a home where
generous hospitality would be exercised,
where the poor as well as the rich would
be Toasted.
When Gay said presently in q moved
tone, How good I ought to be, and how
happy | ought to make others when | am
so blessed myselfp' | knew she was speak
ing out of the very fullness of her young
heart that was OVERLOOKING with happi-
ness, and thought how nice it was to
hear her. | liked to see the simplicity
with which she grasped the meaning OF
life-to be happy-yes, truly, for to that
end we were created, and to benefit our
fellow creatures.
1t was little hard to say goodbye 10
her, but she cOmforted me with the aSsur-
ance that she meant to have us down at
Marshlands that summer. Their honey
81 he, hy,f oh tNlI
for neither she nor Mr.. Rosslter liked to
leave the squire long alone.
I'VE must not be selfish, Walter savS"
she finished, brightly: land as he declares
our honeymoon is to last for life, do not
see that it much matters where we spend
it." and then she gave happy little laugh
ana wSn1 .~---
The birth Of little Florence made neces-
sary changes in the household; it added
another to the nursery. Reggie was now
two and a half years old, and was growing
a fine healthy boy, and thought | was
justified in pleading for the sole charge
of the baby. But it was decided that the
nurse, Mrs. Morris, a very pleasant re.
spectacle woman, should remain for the
next few months, and after that should
have my wish; Hannah could then be
promoted to the care of Reggie and an
under-girl could be added if necessary.
Hannah gave mp her room to Mrs. Morris,
tuu toOh SultlieT Que lliJ nau Deen uSeu
by Rhoda, but still kept possession of
the night nursery.
j was little averse to Mrs. Morris com
pany at first, but after time | grew re-
conCiled to it. She was a sensible we'll
educated woman, and could be more COM
nani0nable 10 me than Hannah. and bahv
Florence was my delight.
From the first, she was more with me
than with her proper nurse. Mrs. Morris
pretended to grumbe when | snatChed
her away on every possible occasion, but
l could not resist the pretty cooling crea-
ture. | would have given up my nights
rest gladly to watch over her. Even my
mistress smiled when she paid her first
visit to the nursery, and saw me in the
rocking chair with baby on my lap. and
Mrs. Morris amusing Reggie at the win.
dow
When she grew stronger she came daily
TO the nursery and sat with US for an hour
or so. She told me once. When we were
alone together-a very rare thing now
that her husband employed a secretary for
two or three hours in the day, and that he
no longer required her services.
81 was little sorry at first" she con-
fessed because | was afraid he would
need me less, until he told me that he had
done Il for my sake. He thinks | ought
to be more with the children, Merle: that
joyce should learn her first lessons from
me. We have been arranging the days
duties You have no idea how thought
ful he Is for my comfort; he says am not
strong enough to lead such busy life.
The children are to be with me for an
hour or two before luncheon, and | am
only to devote my afternoons to people in
general. He has refused all invitations
this season, and at ths beginning of July
ha ,nesns to send HIS all down to Marsh