Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-02
Continued

Noiselessly she arose and went over
to the writing-table. She had deter
mined TO beg Colonel Severn to say
nothing of what she had so thought
lessly admitted the night before. He
would, she was confident, make no
use Of the knowledge he had gained
but in other hands the clew might
be a dangerous one.
Dear Colonel Severn" she wrote,
glancing Stealthily now and again in
the direction of the sleeping man, lest
he should awake and question her
What | said last night was said i'm
pulsively and without thought 1t
might injure me irretrievahly were it
to become known that | had been an
actress May l rely upon your kind
ness to keep it secret? You may prob
ably imagine that the request arises
from the false pride which I disclaim-
ed last night; but it is not so indeed.
wish | could tell you all; but that is
impossible. | can only throw myself
upon your generosity and trust you
will think as we'll as you possibly
can of
Yours sincerely,
ELLEN Warde."
She slipped the note into All en-
velope and directed it, waiting for
an opportunity to send it to its desti-
nation. This came sooner than she
expected. A man arrived from the
Abbey with a basket Of flowers and
fruit; and, intercepting him as he
passed the sitting-room window, gave
him the note to take back Then
quietly she returned to her place.
Presently Mr.. Bowyer awoke.
What were you and Mrs. Priolo
sparring about this imorning| he
asked Miss Warde abruptly.
Ellen hesitated a moment before re-
dying, then resolved to win him to
er side if it were in her power.
"She is not very kind to me some
times. L think she resents my being
here"
II thought as much" put in the
old man, quietly.
And latterly she has been limiting
at knowledge of-you know what 1
mean"
Yes, / know, child; but surely she
is only pretending that to alarm you!
While you were abroad she knew
nothing, | am certain; and it is i'm
possible that she could have found
out anything in this out of the way
place. No, no; she is trying to fright
en- you-that is ALL
You really think so?"-eagerly.
Il am nearly sure of it. Even If by
any chance she did discover the truth
she would not dare to make use of it
for fear of offending me. Besides, she
is not a bad sort really, though l
suspect like most women, she has
keen eye to the main chance"
"Oh, If that is ALL" cried Ellen, pas
sionately, 'let her mind be set at
rest! want nothing except
Except what?" he asked sharply.
ri, L should like you to love me-" she
answered wistfully, Don't you re-
member telling me once that [ was
like some one very dear"
What l told you then was true,
Your resemblance to her made your
presence a pleasure from the first:
then l grew fond of you for your own
sake. l love you still; but this illness
has changed me sadly. When these
nervous attacks come on, | am afraid
of every one; the very air seems full
Of danger"
Surely you are not afraid Of me|'
Not in my sane moments" he an
swered, smiling, and taking her slim
white hand in his, Il should not con-
oder this very formidable even were
It raised against me-"
mStantaneouSly the same thought
flashed through the mind of both
how, in spite of this, only year be
fore she had stood up to defend her
self from suspicion of murder, though
not actually arraigned upon the
charge,
Remorseful for having thus inadvert-
entity recalled so painful a memory,
III silent sympathy he pressed the
hand he still held; but, shuddering
convulsively, she withdrew it and
walked over to the window looking
out until she had regained some COM
mand over her c0untenance.
For nearly five minutes she stood
so, her face pressed against tbH cool
glass, wishing with all her heart that
the past could be blotteI out, or by
some Lethean process forgotten.
Then she turned and suggested to
Mr.. BoWyer that she should read to
him again. He motioned her to a
footstool near; and, when Mrs. Priolo
Came to the door a little later. and,
gently opening it, looked in, she saw
Ellen at his feet reading aloud in
the low sweet voice which She could
not but be aware was pleasanter to
the ear than her own strident tones,
while on her short hair the old mans
hand rested in affectionate caress
No answer came to Ellen's note that
day. On the following morning, about
the time a messenger usually came
from the Abbey with the daily gift of
flowers and fruit, she went down the
road a little way until she met the
man.
Have you letter for me?" she
asked stopping short.
mo, miss'-touching his hat re-
spectfully. The colonel went to Lon
don yesterday. 1 never heard a word
about it, or would have told you of
1t then; but the butler said as how
he'd sent your letter on with some
L.,