Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-10

1t was very SuOchlnS, very IeIIlDlo Do
ciety was distressed. The body lay at the
Darrell Arms" until all arrangements had
been made for the funeral. Such funeral
had never been seen in Audleigh Royal.
Rich and poor, every one attended.
Captain Langton was buried in the pretty
little cemetery at Audeigh; and people, as
they stood round the grave, whispered to
each other that. although the horse that kill
ed him had cost over a hundred pounds, Sir
Peter Glynn had ordered 1t to be shot.
Then. when the autumn had faded into
winter. the accident was forgotten. Some
thing else happened which drove it from
peoples minds. and the tragedy of Audleigh
Royal became a thing OF the past.
Pauline did not return to Omberleigh. Miss
Hastings was dreadfully shocked when she
received letter telling her of Captain Lang
toms death and of Lldy Darrell's serious i'll
ness. No persuaSons could induce her to
remain longer away. She returned that
same day to the Court, and insisted upon
taking her share in the nursing of Lady Oar
reu.
Lady Hampton looked upon the captains
accident as the direct inteTpostiOn of PrOvi-
dence. OF course such death was very
shocking, very terrible: but certainly it had
never been a match she approved; and, after
all, say what one would, everything had hap
pened for the best.
Lady Hampton went over to Darrell Court,
and assisted in stten ding to the invalid; but
her thoughts ran more on Lord Aynsley, and
the chances Of his renewing his offer, than
on anything else. EIinOr would soon recOv-
er, there was no fear; the shock to her nerves
hcl l13t III Il ,f
nervousness: and. when she did get we'll,
Lady Hampton intended to propose season
III London.
But Lady Darrell did not get well as soon
as Lady Hampton had anticipated Indeed,
more than one clever doctor, on leaving her
presence, shook his head grayely, and said
it was doubtful whether Lady Darrell would
ever recover at all; the, shock to her nerves
had been terrible.
But there was something to be said also of
4 blighted life and broken heart.
Autumn had drifted into winter; and one
morning Lady Darrell, who had been sleep
ing more sOundly than usual, suddenly turn
ed to Pauline, VINO seldom left her.
pauline" she whispered, you have not
told any one, have your
Told What?' she inquired
About poor Aubrey'S faults | know now
that he was guilty. Strange, solemn thoughts,
strange revelations come to us, are made TO
lis i'll sickness, when we lie, where | have
been lying, in the valley Of the shadow of
death. | know that he was guilty, and that
he died in his sin. know il now, Pauline"
Miss Darrell bent over her and kissed the
white brow.
Listen to m, dear" continued the weak
voice. Let this secret die with us-let there
be bond between us never to reveal it. You
will never tell any one about it, will you
Pauline?
"No," she replied. never. / should never
have told you but that hoped to save you
from dreadful fate-and it would have
been a dreadful fate for You to have married
him; he would have broken your heart"
at is broken now she.said, gently. ''Yet
it comforts me to know that no reproach VIII
be heaped on Aubray's memory"
lyon will get better" Observed Pauline,
hopefully, land then there will be happier
days i'll store for YOU"
There will be no happy days for me, - re-
turned Lady Darrell, sorrowfully. you
see Pauline | loved him very deary-m0re
dearly than l knew. had never loved any
one very much until | saw him. | could
more easily have checked raging fire than
have restrained my love after | had once
given it. My life had in some way passed
into his and now, L do not care to live"
But you have so much to live for,'' said
Pauline.
Not now. do not care for aught about
me. | have tried to remember Darrell Court
and ali my wealth ana grandeur but they
give me no pleaSure-the shadow OF death
lies over ALL"
And it was all in vain that Pauline tried
to rouse her; Lady Darrell, after her unhap-
ply love, never cared to be reused again.
Lady Hampton would not think seriously of
her illneSS-it would pass away in time, she
said; but Miss Hastings shook her head
gravely, and feared the worst.
The time came when Pauline told some
part Of her story to the govornesS. She did
not mention Aubrey's crime-that secret she
kept until dcath-hut she gave sketch of
what had passed between her and Lady Oar
reIl.
Did do right?' she asked, with that
sweet humility which had vanquished all
pride in her
You acted worthiIy," replied Miss Hast
ings, while she maryeLed at the transfOrma-
proud, willfuI girl.
Time passed on, and by the wish of Miss
Hastings a celebrated physician was sent
for from London, for Lady Darrell grew no
better. His opinion sounded somewhat like
a death-Warrant.
''She may recover sufficiently to quit her
room and to Iinger on IN life-how long is
but the shock to her nerves she
will never fully recover frOm-while she lives
she viii be a victim to nervousness. But |
do not think she will live long. Let her have
as much cheerful society as possible, without
fatigue; nothing more can be done for her,"
And with that they were obliged to be con-
tent. Lady Hampton would not admit that
the London physician was correct.
Nerves are all nonsense" she said, bruS-
Quely. How many nervous shocks have [
been through, with husband dead and chill
dren dead? Elinors only danger is her
moth er'S complaint. She died of cOnsump-
ton quite young"
1t was found, however, despite Lady
Hampton's disbelief, that the London ply
sician had spoken truthfully. Lady Darrell
rose from her sick bed, but she was but the
shadow of herself, and victim to terrible
nervous disorder.
Miss Hastings watched over her with great
anxiety, but Pauline was like second self
to the unhappy lady. They were speaking
of her one day, and Miss Hastings said:
''An illness like Lady DaTrelI's is so IN
certain, Pauline; you must not occupy your
elf with her so entirely, or you will lose
your own health"
But Pauline looked up with a smile-per-
naps the gravest, the sweetest and most ten
der her face had ever worn.
Il shall never leave her." she returned.
Never leave her?' questioned Miss Hast