Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-07-12

CHAPTER ".
AIR Bowyer's native air was appAr-
entity not agreeing with him. The
doctor who was called in at Ellen's
repeated request pronounced 1t case
OF general debility breaking up of
the system; but Mr.. Bowyer himself
said II was liver
Nothing else. he thought, could ac-
count for the gloomy fancies which
possessed him. Whence they had
arisen he could not tell. but he felt
vaguely that he grew and-beeame more
unbearable after every conversation
with his housekeeper: and conyersa-
tions had been frequent of late.
Mr.. Bowyer himself never knew how
it began but gradually the feeling
that he had been rash TO burden him-
self with girl OF whom he knew alb
soiutely nothing, and actually unwise
TO trust her as he had done.
He was decidedly unweli. nervous
and unstrung, and particularly sus-
ceptible to outside influence. If Ellen
had devoted herself TO him now as she
had done before, she might have en-
tirely won his confidence and never
lost 1t again; Mrs. Priolo usurped her
rights one by one and instead of fight
ing, she ren0unced them quietly.
Once or twice, when she came back in
the evening from a ramble, She saw
through the window, as she passed,
Dir. Bowyer, seated by the fire and the
ta-d ale
talking earnestly, while the old man
paced the room in evident INDIGESTION.
She was too proud to interrupt them,
and 1t never entered her head that
these conversations concerned her.
Nor indeed was her name ever men
toned, Mrs. Priolo was too clever to
commit an indiscretion. Ii the old
lawyer once suspected that she dis
liked Ellen, and was trying to vilify
her for her own ends, her game would
be at an end He would be on his
guard, and distrust whatever she
might presently have occasion to
bring against his protegee.
If she even spoke of Ellen. it was
aEectionately and pitifully; but even
then she managed to implant sting.
Another circumstance distressed FL
len. Colonel Severn had never been
TO the Dover House since that day on
which she had asked for his aid. Had
she in any way fallen in his estima-
tiong Did he suspect anything, or was
1t simply dissemination? Only Charlie
seemed to take any pleasure in her
society now; so no wonder she greeted
him SO cordially, and that such sweet
regret shone from her eyes when she
said gooiby.
But, self-engrossed as she was, she
had not been utterly blind to Mrs.
Priolos Vaccinations. At last she re-
solved to act boldly and demonstrate
with her. Ii that had no effect she
would appeal to Mr., Bower, and ask
never together now-never alone as
they used to be- One pay Ellen man
aged to intercept her while on the
stairs.
Mrs. Priolo," she said, in her sweet
low-toned voice, why do you try to
come between Mr.. Bowyer and me?'
Il? Why, / don't understand Why
should l do such thingf"
Yes. why?" repeated Ellen, firmly
Its soL.r nonsense of yours, Miss
Ellen. You were always given to
dreaming"
But am not dreaming now. | can
see plainly that you are taking ad-
vantage of Mr. Bowers illness to
usurp my place"
And, il l am"-fiereely-"1 who
usurped mine. had served him for
more than nine years, and he was al
ways satisfied with me and wanted
no one else until you came, scheming
after his money"
Il scheme after his money!" cried
Ellen, scornfully. You may have
every farthing he possesses II you Will
only leave me in peace and let hin like
me as much as he used to do"
Mrs Priolo smiled slow, compre-
hensiye smile full of unbelief.
Cant you trust meT'-impatiently
I'D sooner make things certain for
myself. thank you, Miss Ellen
Then shall go at once to Mr.. Bow
yer and tell him what has passed be-
tween us. l shall beg him to leave me
nothing. l shall tell him that | want
only his affection. not his money
Her decided attitude and evident
determination to carry out her threat
made the housekeeper grow red. then
pale. with apprehension. She would
never had shown her hand so reek-
iessly had she thought Ellen would
dare resist her will.
Il don't see what good that would
do TO either OF us and he is Ill too,
she remarked hastily.
Then promise me you will do as
wish" insisted Ellen. Let us be 70
gether alone in the morning and even
ing as we used to be. II YOU want 70
attack, let me at least defend myself
Indeed. miss, | don't want to do
Won any harm; and | hope you'll not
harm ME. | have the best right TO his
money, you'll admit, having been with
him so long and been married TO his
only brother-why, I'm the only con-
L.