Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-02-21
NERLE'S CRUSADE.
BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of BARBRA Hedthcote's Trial"
"QIeente's " I'm" "11se Search
for R1SiL T1yndh1lrst -

..Uh, yes, 1t was" he assured me, still
holding me tight. You would be burned
over again to see me like Cassy-what do
you call him'-that awfully jolly fellow,
you know" And then, indeed, | felt
curious smart in my eyes as kissed Rolls
forehead.
You are right, dear; that would be
worth any pain. On, Rolf, do try to be
like himl'
"All right, Fenny," spoken very cheer
fully; you shall see." And then he
stamped again, and broke into whistle;
but | knew what he meant, and that his
little heart was full, and | held him very
tightly for a moment, and whispered
something that thought he would like to
hear and then he broke away from me-
and did not see him again for long
time.
/ sent Hannah to Wheeler's Farm to
spend her last evening with Molly.
knew Susan would help me, and l was
not sorry to tire myself little, for last
hours are always somewhat trying, and
though was longing with ali my heart
to be back in the old nursery at Princes
Gate, could not bid good-b bye to Gay and
Rolf aud Marshlands without regret.
But when saw Mr.. Morton's careworn
face the next morning | forgot every
thing but my mistress; and yet thought
that he answered my inqui ries rather
hastily.
She was better, DIR. Myrtle 'aid, GER
tainiy better, but the improvement was
not much yet. He had been obliged to
tell her about ReggIe's accident; she had
begged to have the children home, and
nothing would satisfy her until she heard
/ was fit to travel. He had come for us
the first day he could, because he knew
how she wanted us. After that was only
anxious TO start
Gay accompanied Us to the station, but
Rolf bid me an anectiOnate goodbye on
the terrace, IN the presence OF his mother
and the squire. think she seemed touch
ed at his trouble, for she put her arm round
him, and kept him close to her she bid
me kindly adieu
Squire Cheriton shook hands with me,
aud / saw Susan lowering in the back
ground behind Mrs. Rumble, and looking
us though she was sorry, too.
looked back regretfulIy at the old red
brick house. There was the peacock on
the sun-dia a. usual. and Rolf shading
his eyes on the sunny terrace, and the old
white pony looking at us over the gate,
the brown bees humming over the flower
beds: the reaprrs were in the golden corn
fields across the lane, we could hear their
voices coming To MS; il all looked 50 quiet
and peaceful, ana we had passed such
happy days there.
could see HaunIh was quietly crying
behind Reggie. 1t was bad for her, poor
girl, To say good bye to he: father and
Molly, not Ia mention Luke Armstrong
and was very glad. for her sake, when
we reached the &"lhrrtuu station, to see
MoiIy's homely features under her white
Gun bonnet as she stood waiting for US
ia the road with rcd-heudcd Dan beside
her.
She grasped my hand cordially.
You are looking more Yourself Miss
Fentou; am kindly glad to see that.
Father will be fine and proud to see you
next year at Wheclcrs Farm. Why, Han
nah, lass, hast been crying2 Hold your
head up, girl, and look it in the face.
Luke is worth waiting for, if he is worth
having at all; only young folks are so
mighty hasty. There, the lad has sent
you this bit of posy, aud Dan there has "A
young inuct for Miss Fcnton to train. !
have made SO bold us to put in n basket
with cream and eggs, and u bottle of ell
dcrbcrry wine. Nay. no thanks; IIannah's
friends are our friends Goodbye, and a
pleasant journey" And the good crea-
turc wruug our hands, and dragged re-
luctant Dan away.
So | kissed and comforted Rolf, and ne
clung To me quite atIectionatcly. | asked
him II he had said his prayers, and he said
no, he had been too unhappy, because no
one would forgive him; SO we said them
together, and aftcrward we had n little
more talk. | was just going to leave him.
when light crossed the threshold, and
there stood Mrs. Markham. with lamp
In her hand She looked very i'll and I'M
happy. and am sure she had been shed
ding tears.
Rolf sprung up in bed. "Oh, mother
do forgive mcp' he cried. 81 am sure |
have been miserable long enough. Fenny
has been telling me about Cassy-yOu
Know the fellow; and | mean to he like
him will drown my dear little cannon
and will never, never. never disObey you
againl"
think Mrs. Markham was longing in
her heart to forgive him. She had sut-
fered Hs much as the child She said
nothing, but sat down on the bed and held
out her arm, and Rolf nestled into them.
She kissed him almost paSsiOnatcly, but a
tear rolled down her face.
II think YOU will break my heart one
day, Rolf, rs your She checked herself,
and did not finish her sentence. Did she
mean Rolls father? Colonel Markham
had been a brave officer, | knew, and had
died in battle; but he had not made his
wife happy.
''Oh, no, mother" returned Rolf, 81 am
going To be II brave man. like father, and
fight for everybody mean to take care
Of you when you are an old, old woman.
Won't that he nice2 You won't mind my
I
UP, will you, mother2 Because she is such
an old dear-not really old. you know,
but so nice"
Mrs. Markham smiled family at the
boys nonsense, but she looked at me
pleasantly.
thank you ror taking 10 fs0;f -
Fentuu, and helping him to bc good. He
is sorry, think, and hope this painful
lesson win teach him TO be less mischiev-
GUS. But now you look very unfit to be
up. You have done us all good service to-
day, and we are all extremely grateful.
Let me help you back to your room"
was very mucu astonished at this
ctvility. but declined hcr assistance, and
wished Rolf goodnight. | was still more
surprised when she held out her hand
You must hc careful of yourself, Miss
Fenton, Tor my sisters sake" she said. so
hilt'itN 'li'tt 1 N'ut'i itSANllN btlAtNS IL WIS
Mrs. Markham's voice.
marvced ut her manner greatly as |
rctraCed my steps to the night nursery.
She was really grateful to me. could see
that Probably she realized that my
prompt action had saved her and her boy
lifetime Of regret. To extinguish life
accidentally must be bitter and sore
retrospect to any human mind. Rolls
boyhooi would have been Swallowed if
his little cousins death had laid at his
door.
| tried to cheer myself with these
thoughts rs | laid awake through the |
greater part of that long summers night. |
could only sleep by snatcheS. and my |
dreams were full of pain. Imagined my |
self martyr at Smithleld. and that the |
fagots were lighted about my feet | |
could see the flames curling up round me, |
and feel their scorChiug breath ON my |
face. ENcruciating pains seemed to tingle |
in my veins | cried out and woke Joyce, |
and then the misery of my burns kept me |
restless. l was quite i'll the next day, aud |
could not stir from my bed; but Mrs. |
Markham and Rolf came to see me more |
than once and Reggie played on my bed; |
and AS SO dear aud good. and JoyCe kept |
crpepin,v nm a. me a know w Ia no could |