Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-23

than the most violent aSSeyerdtlOnS--
Il might think with you if my
knowledge of the case were as limited
as yours. There was a time when
too believed nothing against Ellen
Warde, but that time has passed for
ever
And yet you would have her back.
/ believing her SO vile, and that the dan
ger you have undergone may occur
again with a less fortunate sequel!''
4 am ready TO take that risk
I gravely.
Then | have only to beg that you
will conceal your real opinions so far
as you are able
All shall be as it was before l am
not quite a brute. l hope
Indeed you are not!' cried Severn.
You are one of the noblest men I ever
met, if III this instance the most mis-
guided I shall not be afraid to advise
her to return"
No more remaining to be said, Sew
ern took his leave, and Mr.. Bowyer's
! first act was to ring and request the
presence of Mrs. Priolo.
Were you aware that Miss Warde
left the house this morning with the
intention OF not returningF" he began,
| severely.
Il thought it was likely she would
go'
Then why did you not warn me, so
that | might prevent herr
Because you were too i'll to be dis
turbed-because l did not think you
would wish her to remain after what
happened last night" answered Mrs.
Priolo, boldly, though her heart sunk.
Then kindly remember that / am
never too i'll to be consulted on so inn
portant matter-that | am master of
my own house, and expect 70 be in
formed of all that is going on in it,
IF l had known she faltered.
You know now he told her,
sternly.
Miss Warde will return in less than
an hour. See that her room is ready
for her and a fire burning. 1t is a
miserably cold, damp day"
Coming back"' cried Mrs. Priolo,
unable to disguise her surprise and
| disgust.
go at once and do as I have told
! you," he commanded; and meekly she
| obeyed.
Left alone, his strength to some de-
gree collapsed.
He had loved his protegee more
dearly than either he Or she had sup
posed, and to be compelled to believe
her capable of so coWardly a crime
against nim had hurt him more than
the deed itself. Had she carried out
her intention and thrown herself upon
the world, he would never have for
given himself, and would have remem-
bered her more as Sinned against than
| shining. But she was coming back,
and all the old terror would be revived
with added vehemence-for, now he
knew his suspicion to be we'll founded,
he feared that what once had been at
tempted might be tried again, and
with success. His existence would be
a constant anxiety to himself; he
could never forget the terrible posi-
bilitieS that might at any time prove
facts. The prospect appalled, him. 1t
was a CHASTITY idea that he should live
under the same roof with one who
had wished his death-had even tried
to compass it. 1t was as though the
last hours Of criminal should be
spent with the executioner who on the
morrow was to take his life. His
! peace of mind was gone from him for
eyer-for how could he be at ease in
| such a strait? The situation was I'M
natural-it was more than mortal man
could bear.
CHAPTER XIV.
An hour later, when Elaine crept in
| Mr.. Bowyer had mustered up sufficient
courage to meet her with at least out
ward calm. She came in with down
cast eyes and cheeks crimson with
| shame, not for herself, but him, be-
cause he should have misjudged her
so. She could not stoop to defend her.
| self; while how could she upbraid him
for this one sin against her, when in
the past he had been so generous in his
aid?
| you are tired, child, and cold.
You would like to go to your room.
There is fire there and Jane will get
| you a cup of hot tea"
| Tears sprung to her eyes at the an
| expected tone of kindness. She Game
| forward and knelt beside his chair,
looking yearningly into his eyes, as
though grateful for so much, yet want
| ing more-far more still.
Somewhat nervously he avoided
meeting her gaze.
$50 and rest, Elaine. You are over
tired. After dinner you shall read to
me if you are able"
Disappointed, dispirited, the girl
rose, understanding now what the
| terms were on which they met. He
believed her guilty, yet for his word S
! sake, as he had adopted her cause at
irst, and promised Colonel Severn
now to take her back, he would treat
her we'll and kindly-but she must not
attempt to cross the barrier between
! them. Smiling bravely, she thanked
! him, and left the room, mounting the
stairs with a weary tread and still
more weary heart. Everything was
against her. Could she ever bear it,
enduring with patience and good tenn
! per to the end?
The next morning she was too i'll 10
! leave her bed; low fever had seized
| her, due to the excitement of the past
| two days and chill taken on the
previous morning. For nearly week