Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-02-06
CHAPTER III.
GwENDOLTNE.

GWENDOLINE
The new conner was Miss Winford, the
bankers housekeeper, who had been in
his service for many years. She was a
tall, thin woman Of about forty-fve, who
had undergone frightful Disagreement by
the smallpox.
Mr.. Alworth did not exhibit any sur
prise at seeing her, though the sudden
ness of her appearance might have been
suggestive to another of her having been
somewhere spying, or eavesdropping; and
he only smiled feebly when she extended
her hand, saying, in tone of genuine
good feeling: Il hope you are feeling in
spirits to-day, Mr.. Alworth.
All, Miss Winford, don't see why I
should complain, with this privilege left
to me, replied the old man; and then, as
though forgetting all about her, he ex-
tended his hands toward the plants,
partly closed his eyes, and drew in q
long sort of ecstatic breath.
Then, a serving woman .chancing to
come out Of the dining-room to speak
with the housekeeper, he started out of
his reyerie and moved away.
While ascending to his apartments he
heard the street door open and the sound
Of cheerful voices.
He turned and looked down, to see two
gentlemen and prettily dressed woman
standing at the open doorway.
@You had better come come right In
with Noel, Adele, the old man heard one
Of the gentlemen say.
Not at once, Alphonse, came the re-
ply, in clear, rich voice. Il am nervous,
and you will want to see Mr.. Marlowe
first, without us. I will be with Noel in
the garden"
MI. Alworth waited to hear no more,
but hastened his ascent. He continued
it SO precipitately that he was out OF
breath when he reached the top of the
second flight, and hesitatingly entered q
neatly furnished attic room, with single
dormer window making deep and broad
embrasure in the front wall, which, by
reason of the roof, made q steep slant
almost from the center Of the ceiling to
the edge of the flooring. Seated in this
embrasure, with some sewing in her lap,
was very beautiful fair haired young
| girl, of about nineteen, who looked up
with q charming smile Of welcome as the
| old man entered.
But this vanished at the first glimpse
| Of his woe-begone face, and the next
| instant she was at his side as he sanl
uebpOuu0ubly lutU CuhHs
What is it, father2"
Were beggared, Gwen ruinedl" wal
the husky reply.
| so; but collect your thoughts, father
and tell me about it. Tell me every
thing"
| He did SO, reserving only what hat
passed with reference to Noel and Mr.
| Croak in connection with herself.
-Our misfortunes are upon US, Gwenl'
he complained in conclusion. Hence.
forth we can only wander away and beg
starye, die togetherl Oh, the falsenes
| of menl"
Then an impotent fury possessed him
I He inveighed against Mr.. Marlowe, hi
own misfortunes, and the world at iarg'
in weak, puerile way.
Hush, fatherl don't 60 on in thi
| way, said the daughter, gently smooth
/ ing his forehead, as she might have dom
TO troubled child. Hush. dear, and le
me think.
you have never told me the who'll
story Of the forgery" she at length said
as though thinking aloud.
@Why should You know itfs he groaned
1T is miserable tale-a grief breathing
mystery!'
X WA NoVeftn0AeBSy you SuNl1 t6lk " MA W II
presently, said she, suddenly springini
up, and snatching broad -brimmed gar
dem hat from it's nail. And remember
dear, do you be very sure to remain righ
mere till I come back.
| aBut wait, Gwennyl whore are yo'
going2" he cried, as she reached an,
opened the door. What are you going :
do2s
Il Il am going to see Noel, was he
i hopeful reply. He shall intercede 70
4 you, and you shall keep your place in th
bank" And then she disappeared.
@But stop, Gwen, stop! You don't un
derstand- Il haven't told you all.
i he hastened to the door. but by ths
time she had darted down the stairs an
was of.
n "A plague on it" muttered her father
going irresclutely to the window. VIII
did / not tell her what Marlowe sci
about Noel and her? She can do me p
good, and she will say something or othe
!, to him that she will be sorry for. Bs
], sides, there ID that foreign woman dow
| there, whom Gwenny should not meet.
Il As for Gwendoline, having taken be
resolution, she was only intent upon see
ing Noel Marlowe, whose voice she he
/ ] heard singing the fragment Of an air j
II the garden just below. I'm the light mui
III lin dress that she wore, swinging her hi
from its ribbons, like baeket, In or