Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-02-21

weakness.
/ sat down and had good cry when he
had left US; and there was no denying
that was homesick that night, and want
ed Aunt Agatha felt a poor creature
In my own estimation. Perhaps ! was
impatient; Dr. Staples told me l was, and
iis eyes twinkled as he said it; bat it
seemed to me / recovered very slowly.
The burns were healing nicely; and in
few more days / could put on my dress
and enjoy the country drives; but l did
not resume my usual duties for some
time.
l could not dress and undress the chill
dren; walking tired me; and my spirits
were sadly variable. The news from
Princes Gate did not cheer me; my mis-
tress continued In the same unsatisfactory
state Mr.. Morton wrote every day, al
both Mrs. Markham and Gay had gone p
to town for few hours. heard mo g
from Mrs. Markham than from Gay. le
thought her sister looking very Ill, nd
considered there was grave cause for nx-
fety She had an excellent nurse, and
her husband was most devoted in his
attentions; she had never seen any one
to equal him Here Mrs. Markham sigh
ed; but her sister looked dull and de-
pressed, and she thought she missed the
children.
The bright September days passed away
very slowly. l was growing weary of my
Punishment; and yet Marshlands and
Netherton had become very dear to me,
and had grown to love the quaint old
nursery. l was thankful when my
strength permitted me to resume our
mornings on the beach and our afternoons
I'll. 81
doors, and liked to have Rolf with me.
l saw very little Of Gay; just then she was
busy with parish work. / heard from her
casually one day that Mr.. Hawtry had
gone to Italy. suppose l looked aston.
ished, for she said, quickly:
"He called the other afternoon and ask
ed to see the children, but Adelaide had
taken you all for drive. ] thought he
seemed little sorry not to say goodbye
to them, as he expected to be away some
time He hoped you were better, Merle.
and desired his kind regards"
''And he has gone to ltaly?"
Eyes; a young cousin of his is lying dan.
gerously i'll at Venice, and so this Don
Ouixote has started off to see after him.
1t is just like him; he is always doing
things for other people" And with this
speech she left me.
was sorr not to say goodbye to Mr.
Hawtry; he had been very kind to US, and
it seemed such pity that we had missed
him that afternoon. Ioften thought about
our visit to the Red Farm, and how pleas
ant and hOspitable he had been. 1t seem.
ed rather tantalizing just to make friends
land he had always been so friendly to
mel. aud then not to see them again; but
ChnnlH N
Marshlands again.
CHAPTER XXI.-BACK AT PRINCES GATE.
More than fortnight had elapsed since
Mr. MortOn's visit, when one morning we
received IA telegram from him. He was
coming down the next day to fetch us,
and told US by what train we were to
start.
Gay had quite sorrowful expression
on her face as she brought it up to me.
You are really going, Merle, and
shall mics you dreadfully; it has been
such a comfort to me to come up here and
talk to you. You are such a sensible, com.
Portable sort of person. and | don't know
what shall do without you"
1t was very nice to hear this, and to
know people would miss me. Poor Rolf
would, knew, and he came up presently
looking glum and miserable:
Il wish l were going, too, Fenny," he
observed, feelingly. "If Aunt Violet were
not so very ill, l should write to her and
ask her to invite me. You will ask her
yourself when she is better" very coax.
ingly.
We will see about that Rolf dear. But
just now L am very busy. Look at all
those things to be packed"
Eyes, know" regarding them care
lessly. And Hannah is in there crying
because of leaving Molly. you know.
You ought to cry at leaving me, Fenny."
well, l am sure, Master RolfI'' and !
pretended not to see his lip was quivering
Don't laugh at me!'' stamping his feet.
81 can't bear it. l don't want you to go, 1"
And here followed II hug. you were al
ways so dreadfully nice, even mother says
so now. 1t was worth being burned, to
make mother say that, Fenuy."
Il don't know about that, dear" re-
memberiug those weary nig'ltS OF pain.
IT. ba continual