Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-15
WAVERLAND
BY SARAH MARIE BRIGHAM.

had retired leaving my mother, Miss Ey-
erett, myself and a few servants in the
great empty hail, mother said:
How terrible to think that men are
driven to seek such revenge"'
= was just thinking what q change
from the last time we were in this room.
Then all was light warmth and beauty =
| said, going to the window and looking
out at the burning pile
Il cannot blame Them" said Miss Ever
EFT. "They have suffered beyond the pow
er Of endurance"
Seeing how exhausted my mother
looked, took her in my arms and carried
her to her room.
When [ reached my room | could not
sleep. The timbers Of the stable were yet
burning, and cast a weird light into my
window. J fancied ! could see the black
ened forms Of all the horses and cattle OF
the place, as they probably lay roasting IL
their stalls. Then | remembered by whose
aid we had been saved from terrible
death. So complete had been the arrange
ments of the mob, that not door or win.
dow had been left unguarded. The order
was given to fire on any one who should
attempt to escape. That was the reason of
the shot that came whizzing past my head
as ! opened the window
Almost unconsciOuSly to myself. Miss
Everett had become very dear to me- Her
quiet ways and pleasant face had not only
brought sunshine into the house, but into
my heart as well. l felt glad that to hel
we were indebted But what would be
the result of this nights work? was an Oft
returning thought. Would Lord Waiver.
Ion 70. Ill
enough to make terms with his outraged
tenants? or would his proud heart bring
further calamities on his family?
With the first sign of day | went out to
look at the ruins the fire had made. The
long line of stables was now q shoulder
ing pile. But was gladly surprised to see
the horses coming one after another foG
their morning feed. ] found that every
living thing had been removed before the
fire was kindled. So, l thought, they
show more kindness to the beasts than tc
man. But | do not believe that they would
have burned the house. They only thought
to brighten Lord Waverland into comply
ing with their requests. When the break
fast bell sounded I went to the dining
room, but it was empty I thought Lord
Waverland and his friends were making
up for their lost sleep. When an hour
passed and no one appeared, q search was
instituted. It was soon discovered thai
they all had LETT in the night. A maid
from Lord NTaverland's room brought me
q note, saying:
81 found this under Lord Waverland's
pillow
I opened the note and read:
Lloyd, you may deal with the brutal
&c c1,,,
SCI loot IN this house again il [ escane
alive. ] shall return to Paris, where life
is more aGreGaDlG,-Where can live with
cut the fear Il being mobbad OF burned
alive. SIR EDWARD t|AVEELAND."
This, then, was the way he Chose to pro.
tect himself. When the tenants began to
gather, calling for Lord WayerIand, and
found that he had left, they were very an
CRY. One man who seemed to be theil
leader said.
Tibet is Just the way with the English
fr0m the highest down! You cannot trust
their promi@es'
i will listen to your requests ! sHii,
2s they began TO murnur their complaints
"Hou! what right have you 20 arrange
things? When my lord returns he VIII
blame us for making terms with you,
said the leader
When he said that | took the note | has
received from my pocket book. saying.
Here is my authority" ana ! read it tc
them. That was sufficient evidence and
they were willing to make new contracts
With me
Nov, what are your grievances"
asked.
We want or rent lowered to the Grit.
filth valuationH' Chat being the rate tat
Land League had ad0pted) said the
speaker.
''Well, if you viii come with me ! vii
do the best | can for you l said lr1aino
the way to the library, where 1 had map
Of the estate and q book containing the
rent roll and the accounts of the tenants.
The first thing | did was to lower the rent
to the Griffith valuation and then from the
rent roll | made Il settlement with each
tenant TO the new rate. Then as fast as
possible | reinstated those who had been
cyicted, or provided for them III some
other way. From that time l began in
earnest to work for the welfare of my peo-
pie and to save my Inheritance"
On going to the drawing-room one InOrn-
ing | found Miss Everett there, watching
the sunrise on the lake and among the
grand old mountains
NV ell little girl said, as l came to
her You seem charmed"
Yes, Sir Lloyd, this is a charming view.
| have watched the sunrise from here for
the last six months, and every morning it
presents different picture. Just now, see
the grand old mountains are shaded by a
tleecy cloud. But lock, there comes a
streak of sunlight like rainbow on its
brow. And there in the distance is the
O'SulGvan cascade. We can see its dane
ing waters like silver thread sparkling in
the sunlight, but we cannot hear its deaf
ening roar as it rushes from crag to crag
in reckless haste!"
at is grand sight. I never saw it be
fore at sunrise. You see what a lazy fel-
low have BEEN" / said, watching her eX-
pressiye face.
How | wish my pencil would obey my
Will" she said, as though forgetfUu Of my
presence. "Have you ever labored and
wished for anything with all your heart,
and then felt the keen anguish of disap-
appointments" she asked, turning toward
me as she spoke.
mo, have never been enough in earn
est to feel a disappointment very keenly,"
said.
Il have she said. az have spent hours
trying TO put just a faint shadow OF this
beautiful scene on canvas. But diSap-
pointment has always been my reward
II never knew this was such pictur-
esque place." | said. 81 believe you have
bewitched the sunlight, to change the
world TO suit YOURSELF This old house was
never SO bright before!''
What Il strange girl she was! One mo-
ment | would ind her in the Kitchen with