Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-24
A DEEP-LAID PLOT.


1t was a bleak. clustering March
day, the dry snow blowing hither and
yon, the trees bending before the howl
ING blast, and Mrs. Carlyon sat before
her blazing fire of camel coal, a pref
ty little elderly lady in white lace
cap. glistening black silk gown, and
a pair of gold eyeglasses in her hand.
Through the partially open door one
could catch a glimpse of waving palms
and pink-bloomed azaleas in the tiny
observatory, and the whole house bore
the stamp of quiet and luxury.
so my half-brothcr, Linton, is dead?"
said Mrs. Carlyon. glancing down at a
black-edged envelope which lay on her
lap.
Yes, ma'am. " said old Rebecca, the
maid, who was arranging the Dreaded
outlets and Omelctte on the breakfast
tray. "And declare, ma am, | had Il
good cry when | heard it. Such a
pretty, bold-faced boy as he used to be!
Do YOU remember, ma'am, when he
painted the poode's tail orange color
with your best oil paints? And [ never
could keep a cookey in the cake-jar or
Jelly cup on the pantry shelf when
he was around, bless his heart! Dead
and left three children! 1t don't
seem possible"
Mrs. Carlvon compressed her lips.
And they want me to take them, !"
said she.
Old Rehecca came little closer.
"Andyou will, ma am, won't yOup"
81 N,rtni,lN- | shall ,ntti /P nhnno,,
stepped quickly back.) Lewis Lin
ton had his half of the property, and he
squandered it. He married woman
that | detest. He had his own way
through life. Now | mean to have
zine. The eldest girl must be eighteen
at least-quite old enough to earn her
own living. The two little ones must
90 into an institution. [ wash my
hands of them"
And this was Mrs Canyons decision,
from which no amount of reasoning
could move her.
Its a shamem cried old Rebecca,
diSso!ving into tears, rs she remem-
bered the handsome boy who had been
at once her torment and her delight in
the days of Aud Lang Syne."
1t is most heartless!' said the rector
of the parish.
Its hcathenishi" declared Mr.
Trumpet. the LAWYER
But Mrs. Carlyou needed never a one
of them.
Its my missus, Ell over" said Re-
becca Mr.. Lewis Linton offended
her mortally when he married the
Canada young lady, instead of taking
to her friend, Miss Sarah Sequin, the
hciress. And my missus, she's one
that never forgets, nor she never for"
gives!'
"Oh. sister, have we got to stay in
this dreary place."
Little Nydia Linton chung, with a
torrent of tears. to her sisters shabby
black gown, while Clare her twin, lay
in discousolate heap on the floor.
Candace Linton would have liked to
failed down and cry, too, but she knew
that she must control herself. She
was eighteen and the twins were only
eight.
BE brave, Nydia, " said she. Don't
lie there, Clare They'll be very kind
to YOU here, and you must learn all
you can, SO as to be ready, one day, to
come and live with me, when I've made
my fortune"
But can't we 90 with you, sister?''
pleaded little Glare, laying her cheek
against the hem of the rusty black
gown. Wen be very good and
quiet
And we can do lots of things, y
chirped Nvdia. Papa never would
have cone away and left us in a place
like this You don't love us as papa
did
1t was little less than heartbreak for
Candace to tear herself ruthlessly from
the embraces and entreaties of the lit
tie one, but with the aid of Sister Ag.
mes, the kind matron, she contrived tc
do so, and she took the evening train
to New York, to try and solve tha
stern problem of earning living
Was it luck, or chance, or the guild
ing finger of Providence, that led hel
to the very employment agency whose
back windows commanded a view o
the crystal dome of Mrs. Canyons con
servatory?- THAT brought old Rebecc;
thither before her name had been Ell
ltlGu I+tll All Houl Ou bHC w boS .
cared ledger on the desk?
We'll, it amt exactly maid that
want, said Rebecca. There's maid;
enough. But it's sort of a compan
ion. My missus, she says she can
stand my stumbling way of readin' tn,
paper to her no longer, and she say
the lace | mend amt tit for no one t.
wear; and she says | must bring som,
one back that can read, and play music
and write notes. and sort O help tn
time go by. The wages amt much. bu
it'll be a tirst-class home for any on
as is lucky enough to suit"
There's a young person just com
that wanted some such place" sal,
Mrs Satisfy, referring to the dogs
cared volume.
And Candace was brought in. he
color changing and her heart beating
Lord bless us!' croaked Rebecca
opening her bleared eyes. Miss
Linton, did you say? It's name m
missus amt partial to. Amt you n
middle name? May? Well. then, We
call you Miss May My missus she
as full of whims as an egg is OF meal
But You'll suit nerves | think YOU