Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-08-23

first. and promised Colonel Severn
now TO take her back. be would treat
her well and kindly-but she must no,
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 IL.
enduring with patience and good tenn
per to the end:
The next morning she was too III 10
leave her bed; low fever had seized
her. due TO the excitement of the past
two days and a chill taken on the
previous morning. For nearly week
she lay PROSTATE, happily too weak
even 10 think. while exhausted nature
gradually recovered itself. Then the
natural elasticity Of youth reasserted
itself, and she could once more take up
the burden OF life. feeling all the
stronger and more valiant for the
brief rest To Mr.. Bowyer her alb
sence had also come as as a relief. and.
when once assured that there was
nothing seriously wrong, he rsyeled in
the new sense of freedom from fear.
Mrs. Pliolo too was much pleasanter
companion now that they We're alone;
and often a secret wish arose that
they had remained so, that he had
never introduced this turbulent ele-
menI into their quiet comfortable
home
But this happy. state of things could
not last forever. After a little while
Ellen was down with them again, look
ing pale and weak after her Illness.
yet practically little the worse, for
she had been delicate always, and
never possessed much color. Then
the old contentious recommended.
Mrs. Priolo soon rallied from the re-
buff that she had received. and re-
turned to the attack with renewed
yigor, while Elaine, whose really sweet
temper had somewhat suffered from
the constant strain, retorted more fire.
quently than she had done before.
Mr.. Bower was always kind to her
even affectionate and pitiful at
times, when his better feelings had
the ascendency; Yet she could not but
notice that he avoided being with her.
and grew more dependent on the
housekeeper for everything he wanted
And oh ii had been so different.
That she owed this to Mrs. Priolo she
knew well, and dared not hope that
her malice would rest satisfied with
this. Yet what was she to do?,
On this subject Mrs. Priolo was also
undecided. But one thing she had de-
termined the same roof should not
shelter both.
For some time she gave only little
hints and innuendoes which he could
not fail TO understand, yet to which
there was absolutely nothing he could
reply; then at last she decided that il
was time TO say something definite and
to the point.
She had come into the slttingroom
and found him with his body bent to-
ward the fire and his head buried in
his hands. When, hearing footsteps,
he looked up and saw her standing
there, he pulled himself together in
stantly, and began to talk OF Indiffer-
ent matters, till, finding that he was
receiving no answers, he lapSed as
suddenly into silence.
Then it was Mrs. Priolo's turn.
Il wish you would let me speak, "
she said, grayely.
Gould prevent you?"-with an I'M
easy smile. ITO stop the flow of a
woman's eloquence is beyond the
power of any man, and certainly be-
yond mine"
you know what l mean"
do II"
"You will never be happy and con-
tented so long as that girl remains
here"
Then / shall remain discontinued,
for ! have no intention of altering
present arrangements"
1T is killing you by inches" she
declared.
For a moment he looked startled.
"If l am In danger, the doctor will
probably warn me Of 1t. You are my
housekeeper, rot my medical adviser"
II am your own brothers widow, the
trusted companion Of the last ten
years. Till Ellen Warde came we
never had disagreement. 1t is my
loyalty to you that makes me brave
your disPleasure by saying what !
think"
you have done what you believe to
be your duty, dare say. Let that con-
tent you"
Further than that l have done no
good by speaking.
You have certainly not shaken my
resolution in the very slightest. Miss
Warde is my niece by adoption, If not
by blood. ! did not act unadvisedly
or without due consideration when
brought her to my house.
"But surely you will never trust her
after what has happenedg'
Il will trust her implicitly" he said,
more with the air Of one who was
making a vow to himself than in de-
fiance OF the warning given.
"Well. you know best, Of course.
You have known the young lady longer
- -, t-,,r,,y har ,,ttnh bpttpr than 7