Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-28

door Of the Dover House. and turned
his face TO where the sun had set, the
after-glow shed its red light upon him,
and showed clearly the dark steadfast
eyes and well-cut mouth with the
deep lines of anxiety about them His
complexion was Sallow. his mustache
dark, but his hear was nearly white.
which with his tall broad figure.
manly face and military bearing, gave
him most distinguished appearance.
He was a man who would have at
tracted attention anywhere.
On this particular day his new
tenant was eXpected-Mr Bower by
name-an Australian lawyer who, hav-
ing made his fortune, wished to come
and spend the last years of his life in
the mother country. The ,Anglo-In-
dian felt a warm sympathy for him,
for both had been eXiled from early
youth, and both probably had the same
feeling Of alienation engendered by
long absence.
1t was this event that had caused
Colonel Severn to walk over so that
he might be there when the traveller
arrived and accord him at least a
strangers welcome.
A hired vehicle drove along the road
and stopped at the gate, the driver
waiting for instructions. The door of
the conveyance was opened, and an
old man stepped slowly out, and then
turned to offer his assistance to some
one inside
An elderly woman, apparently a
superior sort of housekeeper, got out
and began to give directions to the
driver in a shrill overbearing voice
that grated on the colonel's ears, and
afterwards came a tall slim girl in
deep mourning, with uncovered head,
holding her hand.
Colonel Severn, after few mo-
mentS hesitation, stepped forward.
Mr.. Bowyer, L presume" he said,
pleasantly. L am Colonel Severn; my
own house is close to this; and l
thought l would come over to see il
could be of any use"
The Australian was pleased at the
| attention, acknowledging his appre-
citation in his reply; and the two gen
tlemen turned toward the house, talk
ing earnestly as they went along.
The young girl still stood alone, ap-
parently distracted, until the house
keeper broke into her reverie with Il
loud laugh.
"Dreaming again. Miss Ellen:
don't believe you even noticed Mr.
Bower had gone in. He'll be calling
for you"
The remark was perhaps meant III
kindness; ii 50, the Woman's expires
sion did not do justice to her intention.
for a dlsagreeable flash came from
beneath her eyelids, and she who was
addressed WINGED perceptibly.
I'll go to him now" she answered
hurriedly, and moved away.
The houSekeeper watched her.
Yes, | am certainly right" she NUT
tered to herself. She has got a secret
"a secret that weighs on her night
and day and would ruin her if found
out. At hotels and constantly on the
move, l have had no chance OF dis
covering what it is-she has kept so
much by herself; but here in tits
quiet place she will be off i.4r guard.
She shall never stand in my shoes if
| can get a chance to GUST heri 1t
would be hard if ten years faithful
service were to be forgotten for this
new fancy. 1t shall never De,-ntver
If can help it! Q, no, no, no!'
She screwed her thin lips together
tIlr fpy nd no MT hn
came running briskly from the house,
gave her the necessary orders about
the luggage in a composed manner
that showed nothing of the jealous
wrath she really felt. Formerly she
had been undisputed mistress of Mr..
Bowers house, and, being a connec-
ton of his, had ignored the fact that
she was his housekeeper as well, with
no other source of income than the
wages she received
She had been a bar-maid in Mon
treal, where Mr.. BOwyer's younger
brother had first met her, and, falling
desperately in love with her, married
her. He had lived only few years
though long enough to repent his in
provided for that she had had no diff
ficulty in finding a second husband.
From the crowd of needy adventures
who soon surrounded her she chose an
Italian named Priolo, some years
younger than herself, crafty and IN
scrupulous, scarcely even pretending
to return the affection she professed
for him. They were married and a
month later he absconded, taking with
him her whole fortune, which he had
managed to have transferred to his
own hands. She was left so utterly
destitute that no course remained but
to write to the brother of her first hus-
band and state her case.
He answered by Offering her the sit
uatiOn Of housekeeper. which she
gladly accepted, mean1ng IN time TO
sink the mental position in the more
honorable one Of sister-in-law and
natural mistress Of his household.
She had been with him nearly nine !
through which she had nursed him |
with exemplary fortitude and care, Mr. !!
Bower determined to make his will, |
and summoned lawyer for that pur- !
pose. During 1.-THE interview, which |
was long one, the housekeeper, IN |
able to control her curiosity, crept |
upstairs, and stood for |
awhile with her ear to the keyhole |
What she heard amply repaid her for