Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-10-03
CHAPTER xXIIL-FRANK!

III llcLl pIOIllSE w.
CHAPTER XXIIL-FRANK!
Everybody said afterwards that the
great robbery at Little Street Hall was
the means of killing Miss Lqvinia Sraun-
ton. From that exciting and eventful
evening it is certain that the old lady never
looked up again. She remained in a state
of tea-gowns and nerves, refused to 90
out, insisted upon couple of the men
servants sleeping in the next room TO hers,
had her bedroom windows barred till they
looked like prison or mad-house, and
gradually slipped into the position of u
great invalid. In her presence all men
ton Of the robbery became strictly
tabooed subject and at last just before
Easter, Miss Laynia by some means or
other caught a severe chill and. after four
or five DAYS of severe Illness. she died and
the secret of the jewel-robbery was safe
for ever.
Miss Theodosia felt the loss teIrih Y.
and by the advice Of the doctors as soon as
the funeral was over, she left the Hall
and went to the South Coast for d thor
ough change With her also vert the
faithful Warner. and a young PRISON of
more frivolous mind who bad replaced
Phoebe.
The place they chose was in the sic of
Wight They were lucky enough to find
a large wellfurnished house stand NJ in
its own grounds. Miss TheodOsia'3 own
carriage and horses were sent over. hei
own cook went 10 cook for her, her own
butler aud foolman to wait upon her, and
yet, when the oil lady got there. she felt
more dull and lonely and miserable than
she had done ut nome.
Il am 20 lost without my sister. doctor"
she said to the local medicine mpa, whom
Warner called in in a fright one day, we
had really nevor been parted, and al
though she was ton years Younger than
me, and though herself yonng enough to
be my daughter, We were always together
and the closest Of companions. And with
out her | feel as II had lost myself-and
so have. my other self" and then poor
Miss Theodosa began to cry weakly and
Warner put I'm her word.
MY ladies always lived very gay life.
sir ahs said, with a modest cough.
Miss Lavinia-for whom Miss Staunton
/. wearing mourning row, siT-was very
fond of g1ietv an going out. And feel
sure Miss Staunton misses the visitors
moro than anything. | have been in their
service thirty years and | never knew
them 10 be week without visitors during
all that time And now my poor mistress
il all alone in strange house and she
feels it droadfullr."
But, my dear lady" said the doctor,
why don't you have few people to stay
with you aud cheer yOu up a lttle?"
1t is such "a snort time since my loss"
answered Miss ThcodoSa, drying her eres.
well. every day wllmend that" the
doctor said, cheerily. "SupposinR you only
ask one or two just at first
II don't know anyone who would care
to come" sighed Miss Theoiosia, wretch
eddy.
"Oh. ma'am," cried Warner. 'T am sure
Mrs. Trafford would be only too glad to
come and pay you visit-my Lady's
mother, sir, she explained to the doc or.
You know, ma'am. you said Mrs. Traf.
ford wrote Won the sweetest letter Of any
body when poor Miss Lrvinia went, and
she sent a lovely wreath with afrectionate
rcmembranccs on it,"
Yes, Warner, so she did, sail Miss
Theodosia, W tn another sigh. Eyes. she
vns very tender and kind. | think |
might without IMPROPERLY ask her to
come aud spend "A few weeks with me II
will he dun for her, but there are lovely
drives, and | have the carriage and horses
here"
al dare say she will enjoy it immense
w." said the doctor. sis she a cheerful
ladvP"
''Oh, most cheerful" cried Miss Theo-
dosia. in quite a sprightly tone, SO much
did the prospect cheer her of having some,
body beside Warner to talk to-
So that very afternoon poor Miss Theo-
dosia sat down and wrote . lclg letter to
Mrs. Traff0rd, giving her detailed ac-
count of her new abode, of her great lone
liness, and of how the doctor had recon-
mended cheerful society rs her best medi.
cine. And" she ended, "now am going
to ask YOU, dear Mrs. TraffOrd, to do me a
great favor aud come and spend a few
weeks with me in this lovely island. !
know it is = great favor to ask YOU tC
leave London just at this time and shut
yourself up In house Of mourning but,
indeed, shall be so grateful to YOU and
shall do everything thaJ is consistent with
respect for my sisters memory to make
Your visit ns little dull rs possible. / have
the principal servants and the carriage
ami horses here so that Won will be COM
Portable enough" aud then there followed
some further explanatory matter and the
letter ended, Yours affectionately, Theo-
dosia Staunton."
Now, ~ n matter OF fact, Mrs. Tratforl
had. up to the time Of receiving that let.
ter had no intention whatever OF leaving
London until the end Of July But as
soon rs she got Miss Thcodosia's letter
which was at breakfast time-she put on
her bonuet and went down the street to
see Julia.
Rather nuisance for you" was Julia's
remark, when she had read the letter
Yes, that Is so-but for Laura's sake
think ought to go" Mrs Trafford re.
piled
Yes, it is no slight thing for I.rura to
have twelve thousand "a year hanging in
the balance" ! lila said. graveIy
"Oh, must go" Mrs TrafTorl said de.
cdedly, Il really have next to no choice
Ia the MISTER Well, | think | shall lei
my riat. it is just the hes time OF the yeal
for that. II come Lack before Is is free
again | can 40 to an hotel"
"Or ven can come to us" said Julia
promptly.
Now II she was anything. Mrs. TrafTor'
was a woman ot aCtiy-. aud she did not
then Irs the grass grow under her feet
She called cab and trottei off to a house
aAef., VA Nllml a CbIpt" OF DAYS she
h.d lei her sweet little 1lj for jh., rest O
the 9e&so1 Ht a rental q, ulne -ujucas
week. which, all things considered, was
not bad business. Mrs. Trsffori did not
often do bad business. Then she packed
mp her things and set her house in order
aud finally found herself in the train on
the wsv to the Isle of Whit
Miss TheOdosit's first words to her were
OF heartfelt gratitude for her uuselfishuess
In giving up the best part of London
season 20 come to house of mourning
where she could not in the ordinary run
OF events possibly have gaietv Of any kind.
Mrs. Tranord was very gentle and tender
with the old lsiv and lightly put aside
the question of her rusnIdShness, her
mind flying straight to tie thought that
she WAS really doing this for Laura and
TO ensure her the twelve Thousand a year
which the old lady had to leave, while poor
grateful Miss TheOlOsia never gave them
thought at all and inuocenlly and really
believed in the unauthorized goodness OF
Mrs. TraTori's heart
Aud In truth Mrs. Tralford found it
dreadfully duh at Bosco'nbe, as the pretty
house was called. There Is a certain sat
isfaction in some minds, usually feminine
in gender, when they are trying some
thing new. living in a new house. starting
new custom, doing in fact anything out
-