Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-27

door. and found ii sill locked. he re-
solved 10 wait no longer. for he had an
erTand to perform that night. and would
feel no peace till i was ACCOMPLISHED
Half past eleven struck as he closed the
hall door behind him. ana at the sane
noment saw black shadow fit across
the courtyard. aud disappear at the
loot tome stone steps that lei 20 the nur-
Sew.
"uest.r." he exclaimed aloud. with a
senNaci0n of intense relief that sur
priSrd himself; and as he passed below
M"dcap's window he paused and look
ed M at the light in II, and blessed her,
ami thanked God as for one who has
just been delivered from peril.
y 1aint light issued from the room in
vAlch Mr.. Eyre sat, and between the
blind and the WindOw-frame Frank
caught a glimpse of him sound asleep at
his table. his head sunk on the out
stretched arms, a pen still grasped by
his finTers.
In turning away, Frank struck his
foot against ladder placed against the
wall. but O. this he thought nothing,
and in q few moments had mounted the
stone steps. and found. rs he expected,
the OTTER door ajar. He entered, but
not SO quickly but that warning was
given Of his approach. AS he gently
pushed the nursery door open, a woman
stole behind the half-0pen door of a
Enen-press, and stood there trembling,
believing the newcomer to be Mr.. Eyre.
DOdy lay tossing on his bed. and
Franks heart contracted with bitter
paug as lie lOOkel down on his darling.
Who in dream-land clutched fast the
pillow that represented TO him his
mummy" Frank had been able to
avert one sorrow from Madoap, but he
knew that he could not avert this one:
nothing short Of a miracleW or d eyerrear
DOdy TO manhood now. The fatal cold
caught On the spring morning when he
had stolen OGt to gather that birthday
flower. had taken fast hold upon him.
and the beautiful little body in which
the lamp OF health appeared to burn so
brilliantly. was already fevered and
weakened by hidden mischief.
An inner door opened, and Josephine
entered, starting back IN genuine amaze
ment at sight Of Frank.
Mrs. Clarke is here" he said. ap-
preaching her. Il saw her enter" ne
added. as Josephine held up her hands
and eyes in contradiction. and called
urOn heaven and earth to witness that
children and Their Two selves.
And the door that I found open"
he said. ''hOW is that?n
The woman gave him an inGcrutable
look from under her long lashes-how
many nights had she not thus left it on
the l@tch-thPn as he still looked at her,
she shrugged her shoulders.
The diamonds daZZled me-" she said;
at WAS in thinking OF tb2m that | for
got the door. All! n20a Dtca!" and size
c.aSped her hands, "a mun might die,
commit a murder for a necklace like
that''-perhHpS it was of such keep
Sake u. ii gCS had been thinking.
Wien he rad prom; sed Lcr-pOor stupid
fool tL;.t he Wa6--.lIyt hing if she would
be his wife!
Drank smiled at the thought of the
brIIlianC t'renchWOman as plain Mrs.
DiggeS. but The thought did not cross
his maud. as it would inevitably have
done MIR. Eyr2's, how in this stoiid,
stu7si,, mans passion for the un;rin-
oIrlcG woman lay lie elements OF 4
crime. He Was thanking OF Hester, and
as cer, ain that She VAS IN tn4 house, as
that josephine Was Ignorant O. her
presence.
He advanced to The inner room. fol-
lowed by the nurse, and as they disap-
pearcd, a figure stole from lis hiding
place. and with one RAPID, passionate
Kiss Cn DOdy's brow, passed out and
down the stone steps.