Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-12-21


Rose tenderly. Have you been far
No; only to the Marais''
Rose had of late abStained from all
close questioning of her sister She
knew that Kathleen wandered about
the streets aimlessly, wearied herself
with long walks that seemed utterly
without end or motive. But this idle
wandering might be one way of living
down a great grief. 1t was well per-
haps TO let the mourner take her own
way. Nothing SO oppressive as Oh
strusive sympathy. Rose sympathized,
and said very little.
At lis Wife's instigation Durand
watched the girls lonely walks on two
or three Occasions-saW that she suf-
fered no harm, went into no vile quar-
tiers, provoked no insult; and after be
ing assured Of this, Rose was content
to let her follow her own devices.
The angel of consolation may be
leading her she said; saints and
angels know what is best for her"
And in her high-strung faith as Il
Papist, Rose Durand believed that her
sisters pure spirit here on earth might
be in communication with the souls
of that mighty company which had
gone before, that great cloud of wit.
nesses lowering round us, invisible,
iInpalpable-the spirits of the faithful
departed.
Kathleen sat silent, those dreamy
eyes of hers gazing across the flowers
to the blue cloudless sky. The dark
violet eyes seemed larger and more
lustrous than of old now that her face
was pinched and thin; but O, so IN
speakably sad!
why were you not home at dinner
time, dear? Have you had anything to
eat since the morning.?
Il think not Kathleen answered
absently.
And you went out so early! | was
at your door before six, and found
you were gone. You must be faint
for want of food
Il never feel hungry [ am a little
tired, that's all"
The boy had dropped off to sleep
by this time. Rose laid him softly
in his cradle, and then busted herself
preparing Il meal for her sister.
She made some coffee in little brown
pot, which needed only a handful Of
burning charcoal to heat it. She
brought out some Lyons sausage, a
plate of salt, a bunch of crisp light
bread, a roll of butter in a little COW
cred dish half-full of ice Everything
in Roses domestic arrangements was
fresh and clean and neat The cloth
she spread on the table was spotless
damask, washed and ironed by her
own hands.
Come, pet" she said, and coaxcd
! her sister to the table, taking off her
! bonnet, smoothing the soft golden
hair, kissing the pale brow, so full
of gloomy thought.
Kathleen took little coffee but ate
nothing. She sat with her eyes fixed
on vacancy, scarcely conscious of the
meal that had been spread for her,
quite unconscious of Roses face watch
ing her.
! My dearest, if you don't eat-if you
go wandering about and fasting for
: y w
| ing; you will drop down in the streets
you will be carried off to a hospital
Kathleen looked up with startled
expression.
Yes, yes; you are right" she said
hurriedly, with a sudden agitation in
tone and manner. IF [ become too
weak, ready to faint at every turn,
[ shall be uSeleSS-I can do nothing;
and [ have much to do Yes, dear,
[ will take some of this nice bread and
| butter [ want to be strong. l am a
reed-a poor feeble reed; and I ought
/ to be made of iron"
Only be reasonably careful of your
self, dear, and you will soon be strong
again. Those long WanderingS and long
Hastings must kill you if you go on
with them. You ought to be careful
of yourself, Kathleen" added Rose,
with tears in her eyeS-fOr there were
times when she felt as if it were but
Il question of weeks and days how long
she might keep this idolized sister-"you
ought to be careful, for my sake and
Philips. We are both so fond of you."
YES" Kathleen answered, in a low
voice, land for his sake
She forced herself to eat, and did
tolerable justice to the white sweet
bread and the fresh salad. Her meals
in her own apartment were less luXrlri-
Gus. A slice of dry bread, eaten stand
ing, Il handful of cherries and a crust,
a cup of milk. She had boarded her
little stock of money ever since Gas
tons disappearance. She held it ready
for any expenditure that might help
her in her scheme of vengeance
Il want to be strong" she said
meal. Il have got some employment
! IA kind of place, to which l shall
have to so very early every morning.
"Indeed!' exclaimed Rose, sitting at
work by the window, moving the era
die with her foot why did you do
that, dear?'
Il hardly know" answered Kath-
leen, with her eyes on the ground. Il
| thought it would be better for me to
| be employed"
But 1 don't think you are strong
enough for employment of any kind
! just yet, DEAR" said Rose anXiously.
| The idea seemed to her fraught with
peril, with madness even.
80, but I shall get stronger now
that [ have a motive, settled purpose
in life, a task to perform. You will
see that [ shall do So Rose. Have no