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

There was some my stery, and it
should be the business of her life to
ma 1t out. She remembered well his
WordS-"the only connection l have in
the world and now this niece had
appeared from Heaven knew where?
In the relationship she did not believe
one whit; and the girl scarcely at
tempted to keep up the fiction. for sha
seldom called him uncle" and then
always in an apologize tone which
contradicted the word
But whatever the link between the
two, it was close one, for the old
man was evidently fond OF her. and
she spent her whole time in striving
to afford him pleasure. Mr.. Bowyer
turned to Miss Ellen for everything.
and Mrs Priolo was kept more
strictly than ever in the place he had
assigned to her.
Growing more uneasy day by day
over the change of affairs. it became
lively source of dread to her whether
this girl might not supplant her in the
future as we'll as in the present.
Would she succeed to the old mans
money at his death? Not if she-Har-
riet PriolO-could prevent it! She was
on her guard
1t snail never so be-neverw she
said to herself with ever-increasIng
vehemence as in the gathering dark.
ness she looked toward the house
which in the future was to be their
home.
AS Miss Warde entered the sitting
room, both gentlemen stood up to
greet ner, and Mr.. Bowyer introduced
her to his landlord with the customary
formula
My niece, Miss Warde"
With a fleeing smile she acknow-
lodged Colonel Severn's deep bow and
pleasantly spoken words, then busted
herself about the Old mans comfort,
taking a cushion from the sofa and
placing it on his chair, pushing a foot
stool toward him, and then STOPPING
to stir the fire. Her fiaXen hair, which
she wore in boyish fashion, cut close
to her head, shone like threads of gold
in the light, all the more from contrast
with the soft black Grape gown that
she wore, unrelieved by even speck
of white.
How lovely she would be if she
were happier" thought George Severn
as he gazed at her, for the smile that
had so swiftly illumined and then
passed from her face had only served
to impress more clearly upon him its
habitual sadness. Surely some great
nf
turn all the natural gayety and hope
fulnesS of youth to such ail-absOrbing
sorrow; or the loss she had evidently
sustained was of very recent date, and
this was the first violence of despair
Il wonder if you will like Little
haven| he began, addressing her
abruptly, and, in the deep interest he
felt unconscious that he had left a
remark of Mr.. BOwyer's unanswered.
"Oh, | think so! Why should I nOt"
Il hope there will be no reason. 1t
is dull perhaps-very little society,"
MY niece does not care for going
out" put in Mr. Bowyer.
There are some lovely walks and
drives; and the garden will give you
little occupation"
rs there a garden" she asked
Mr.. Bowyer looked at her i'm
patiently.
My dear Ellen. you passed through
it as you came ln-a charming garden,
and so we'll cared for-quite blaze
of crocuSes alreadyr'
ut was growing dark when [ came
in. and | was thinking of other things;
but 1 remember a sweet scent of
violets-and were there not some snow
drops as well? l am very fond of
flowers
Then you must not pluck the few
YOU have here. l will send you a bas-
ket every day from the Abbey
enough to decorate your house."
She thanked him with a glance,
understanding his intention to be kind.
and feeling grateful to him for 1t.
The hands OF the small travelling
clock which Mr.. Bowyer had placed on
the mantel-piece were pointing to six
o'clock; the visitor rose to take his
leave, feeling that he had no longer
ay excuse for remaining with them.
CTo be Continued)