Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-02
CHAPTER N.

A few mornings later, as Ellen came
out Of her bedroom, Mrs Priolo
emerged from hers also, and called
her by name. She was in a violet
flannel dressing-gOWn, and capless.
and her disordered gray hair gave her
so unusual an appearance that for the
moment Ellen scarcely recognized the
prlm houSekeeper who was ordinarily
seen only in the stiffest and most
conventional attire.
What is the matter?' cried Ellen.
in surprise.
I've had a dreadful night The rats
never let NE sleep a moment hardly.
They're bad enough always, but last
night they were beyond all bearing"
L have never been troubled by
them at ALL" said Ellen, adding, with
a puzzled look, Il have never heard
you complain before
I'm not one to go about moaning
and groaning every time anything an
noyS me; but I've come to the limit
Of my patience now. Something must
be done to get rid of them
Are you coming down to break
fast?' asked Ellen, wondering at the
houseketper's diffuseness.
No, I'm too WORKOUT. I want YOU
to tell Mr.. Bowyer the reason why [
could not come. l must have an hours
sleep before | dress. You will see that
Mr.. Bowyer has all he requires?'
Il shall be able to look after my
uncle" interposed Ellen, haughtily, as
she turned away.
Mr.. Bowyer came down in a cross
humor, and was difficult to please.
Like most invalids, he disliked a
change from the usual routine, and
resented anything that interfered with
his comfort. The housekeeper had
been with him so long, and never
before had anything occurred to keep
her from the morning meal. He
fumed and fretted about it, and could
talk of nothing else during the break
fast
I'VE must find something to get rid
of the pests"' he declared impatiently
once or twice.
Il have never seen or heard one Of
Them observed Ellen.
Last night l could scarcely sleep
myself" he went on, not needing her
were such noises
in the next room. Of course it was
rats. l wonder it did not strike me
at the time"
More likely you heard Mrs. Priolo
moving about
1T comes to the same thing. The
rats disturbed her, and consequently
she disturbed me-
Il am very sorry you did not sleep
well; and you need a good nights rest
always. Shall 1 read to you after
breakfast? You say that sends you to
sleep"
He assented, and for nearly an hour
she read aloud to him; but this morn
ing her voice had lost its soporific
influence, or else his nerves were in
too irritable a state to be easily
soothed.
Then Mrs. Priolo came down. look
ing much as usual in spite of the
air of invalidism that she had adopted.
and the subject of rats was resumed.
I'm sure | don't know what is to
be DONE" said Mr.. Bowyer nopeless!y.
"A rat-trap is the only thing 1 can
think of. That is a very slow way
of getting rid of them; but what else
can any one suggest"
Mrs. Priolo looked at Ellen as she
spoke, and, wearied of the discussioa.
the girl answered some, impa-
tiently-
why not lay down poison?'
is that practicable? What sort of
poisonfs used?"
Arsenic, 1 suppose"-wondering a
little at he housekeeper's asking for
information from her.
Il wonder whether it would be pos
sible to get it?''
why not" said Mr.. Bowyer 81
will write a note to the chemist at
Greathaven, and you shall go in your
SELF
That is easily managed; and of
course it is quite safe since Miss
Warde recommends it. For my part,
l don't care for meddling with such
a dangerous thing as poison; but then
I'm an old fogy" Then, changing her
tone with the subject, she said, cheer
lily, What about the letters this morn
ing? Were there any,"
There were two-one for Mrs. Priolo
and one for Ellen Warde.
1t was the first that had ever come
to Ellen, but she felt no doubt whence
if was, even if the large bold hand
writing and the device of a London
club on the thick square envelope had
not told her. Blushing violently, she
took it from the man.
who is your correspondent. Ellen?'
II have not read it yet" she an
swered, eyaSively; then, after a mo-
ment's hesitation, during which she
was lingering it nervously, she left
the room with the letter still unopened
in her hand.
Mr.. Bowyers gaze followed her IN
quisitively.
'Who can have written to herr" he
asked Mrs. Priolo.
It's either from the colonel or his
son. The postmark was London. and
they're both there now, I hear"
What could they have to write
about?" he persisted.
young ladies will have their Sc
crets, which it's no use prying into"
laughed Mrs. Priolo.
Opening her own letter, she became
apparentIY engrossed in its contents.