Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-14

LINZ 81 my, ltIi duu SlGuuSE anu
graceful, Martha Fairfield looked in
her deep mourning dress. waXen white
complexion and liquid gray eyes, as
she stood at the window, waiting for
the rumble of the omnibus wheels en-
route for the station, while close at her
side a heavy-eyed widow resolutely
endeavored to keep back the tears
1t will not be for long. mamma,
dear" said Martha. encouragingly.
And Mrs. Fairfield answered brave
~. No. darling, it will not be for
long"
And only to think, mamma" went
on Martha, cheerily. Il am to have
ESQ Il year and a six weeks vacation
in the summer and all the duties / am
to perform are being companion TO an
invalid. 70, don't know how rich [
feel. mamma, dear. And | shall send
you a check for the very first quarterly
payment / receive; for what do | need
of money, mamma. with my nice. new
outfit of dresses?"
Mrs. Fairfield sighed softly. A sit
| uation for Martha had been the most
| earnest desire of mother and daughter
| for the past six months-ever since
| Colonel Fairtield's death had left them
comparatively penniless; but now that
| it had actually come, by means OF a
newspaper advertisement that Martha
| had valiantly answered. she felt Il
vague sense of coming danger and
| misfortune, which was ineXplica BILE
| even to herself.
A long, loving embrace-a fearful
| parting-and the moment so long
| dreaded by both was over; and the
future had begun for Martha.
The first page of the volume was
simple enou@h-a long, wearisome
journey by Fail. a numbering coach
ride afterward. into the very heart Of
| the Welsh mountains. And rs the
purplish tinges of twilight we're begin
ming to settle Gown in the gorges, the
coach stopped.
"Cross-road to Campin9ton Hanr'
called out the driver, hoarsely. Now,
| then. miss, look alive; there's a car
riage waitin'.n
Miss Fairfield" said the charioteer
| of this latter equipage respectfully
touching his hat. Please. MISS, Dr..
| CampingtOn sent me down here TO
! meet YOU"
DIR Campingtnn!' Martha repeated.
| ooh, to he sure?" rs il flashed upon
her mind that DR.. Campington must
| be the medical attendant of her invalid
patroness. rs it farp"
| No, miss-a matter Of two miles or
more"
Two miles," Martha leaned wear
| lily back in the carriage, and drew
| down her veil to conceal the drops
| that stood in her eyes.
| Ii was n sad and desolate ride spite
| of the sublime scenery that spread it.
| self. like a panorama. on either side Of
| her; and Martha Fairfield could not
| but rejoice when the man said:
! There's the Hall, miss"
1t was aspacious and rather gloomy
| looking structure, standing on a
height, with a terraced walk extending
along its whole front.
What large housed" she ex-
! claimed.
Yes, miss. it is large" said the
driver. We've had fifty patients
there at time."
| Again Martha stared, and again her
ready wit suggested solution of the
difficulty. Was it not possible that
this lady for whom her services were
secured was an inmate of a Water
Cure" or "Hygeian Home'' or some
such retreat for the ailing?
Miss Fairfield" spoke cheerful
voice. Pray let me assist you to
| alight. / am DR.. Campington."
And a tall, middle-aged. handsome
gentleman with high, Snakspearian
| brow and mustache slightly grizzled-
! study, or reception room. with a red
| carpet. crimson curtains and walls
| lined with books. whose gilded bind
ings reflected the CHEEKY blaze of a
| good fire.
Pray be seated. Miss Fairfield" he
! said. The servants will bring you
some tea directly; and when you are Il
little rested and refreshed my house.
keeper, Mrs. Bland, will show you to
your room.
And he left the apartment before
Martha could ask the eager questions
which were trembling on her lips.
| Presently n maid came in, with a
tray containing cold fowl. ham. French
rolls and small china pot of fragrant
| tea; and while Martha was enjoying
her repast with the appetite of Is, a
tap came 10 the door. and tall, slight
! girl. all in white. with a wreath of
flowers in her hair. glided in.
May come in? We were all for
hidden to disturb you; but l knew You
wouldn't mind me-"
Martha lookel admiringlv at hec
| soft. brown eyes and the mass OF
golden brown hair that flowed down
over her shoulders.
do you live lere?" she asked.
Il stay here" said the girl, until
he comes after NE"
Until who coues?"
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Don't
you know" she said impatiently. II
am Ophelia? Al. You may we'll look
surprised. People think l am dead.
| but here | am. ,ou see. And Hamlet
loves me througl it all. He will come;
1 am sure he will come. You have
arrived from tie world" she cried.
suddenly. Perhaps you have seen
hin-my Haml.t?"
! A cold thrill Of terror shot along
Martha Fairiclds nerves. Was the