Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-09

stow a searching glance on this VISITOR
whose coming had created such a dis
turbance. For moment only was
she puzzled; then, remembering the
sketch in Ellen's portfolio, she knew
that by some strange chance-a ia
tality it might be called-the man for
whom she had so deeply sinned had
once more crossed the path of the
fugitive from justice.
How would this affect her plans
him to fOrego the revenge to which he
was entitled? Time would show; but
the housekeeper felt pretty sure that
III the end her cause, the cause OF
might and right, would triumph, and
with tolerable complacence set about
restoring to Ellen WARD the con-
seriousness of which for a time she
had been deprived.
CHAPTER XI.
Returned to the Abbey. George Sew
orn and his guest, after dinner, smoked
their cigars in almost absolute silence,
each being too absorbed in his own
thoughts to notice the abstraction OF
the other. OF the two the colonel
seemed the more perturbed. He was
wondering where and how Miss
Warde and Mr.. Weare had known
each other, and what would be the
result of their chance meeting An
other thing puzzled him. 1t was GER
tainlv not a surname that had escaped
Wcare'S lirS on first recOgn ton. but
it also was not Ellen it had a
longer, softer sound. He thought the
name must have been Elaine
The subject of that afternoons in
cident was not preached until Mr.
Weare said, as they were about to
retire
by the bye, what was the name
of the old gentleman we visited to-
day?'
Mr. Bowyer He practiced as a
lawyer in Australia, I believe
"And-and the young 1ady?"
''She is Miss Ellen Warde, his
niece"
Have they been here any time?"
About six months. Good night"
said the colonel, CURLY, closing the
conversation very abruptly.
The next morning Colonel Severn
found his visitor down before him, and
pacing the terrace in front of the
house
They We're in the middle of con-
versation when the undergardener re-
turned with his empty basket from
the Dover.
Colonel Severn's quick sight imme.
diately detected a letter in the mans
hand indeed he had half expected
that Ellen would write to him that
day to claim his promised aid. He
made hasty movement forward, ani.
had snatched it impadently before
the man had time to explain that it
was not for him, but Mr.. Weare. Re
linquiShing it at once, he still could
not but see that the direction was in
ElIen's handwriting, and a sharp pang
of jealousy made him unable to do
more than Stammer out an apology.
Then he turned abruptly on his heel
and went indoors for a while.
Gerald Weare however showed no
elauon-indeed the anxious expression
on his face became intensified as he
broke the seal and read the letter.
tore the paper into shreds, and fol
lowed his host into the house.
No allusiOn was made to the letter
during breakfast; and when the meal
14ic
companion what he would like to do.
Not that I have many amusements
to offer you" he added, ruefully; "but
we might ride or drive into Great
haven, or knock over Il few rabbits
and hares, if you care to walk with
your gun"
Would you mind" asked Gerald
Weare, deprecatingly, ''if / went
somewhere on my own account this
morning? There is something l ought
to do-something that has turned mp
rather unexpectedly, in fact"
My dear fellow, don't explain" ia
terIupted the colonel, hastily; 81 wish
you to do exactly as you please-eN-
actly as you would do if you We're
in your own house. We shall meet al
luncheon, I dare say"
He helped himself to a cigar, and
pushed the box toward his guest; but
it remained unnoticed for a while
Gerald Weare was deep in thought
from which he aroused himself only
to remember how strange his conduct
IN no an1nTafS
1T is more than good of you to lei
me come and go unquestioned like
thiSr' he exclaimed. at is hospitality
in it's truest and widest sense. The
fact is, Miss Warde and I are moi
! strangers; we have met before, and
and you naturally wish to see hel
/ again." he asked Gerald Weare.
"Yes-that is just it." he answered
awaiting himself of the suggestion. -
will walk over there now. if you vii
excuse me"
He rose and, with a nod and smile
of farewell, left the room. George
Severn remained alone, msodily sInok
! ing He understood at last. Tbi.
was the man Elaine lOved-he callet
her Elaine in his thoughts already
the name suited her so well, it becam,
familiar at once-it never entered hi
head to doubt that her love was re
turned; at any time he would hav
secuted the idea that it was pOssibl
she should cherish an unrequited pas
sion.
With a half-smothered groan Severn