Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-20
Continued.
CHAPTER XIX.

to be supposed that he would long re
main ignorant of the small hope that
was entertained as to his recovery.
One day, when Colonel Severn was
sitting at his bedside he opened his
eyes, and, the glance that wandered
round the room showing that they
were quite alone, he began to speak
slowly and with difficulty but coher-
ently-for the delirium had left him,
while the fever too was much lower
than it had been for some time pas.
Severn" he said. ''is it true that
your son has transferred his affections
to Mary Featherstone"
yes. it is so''-with no contrition on
his sons account-only gladness in
his tones
And you are not sorry, I can see.
Well, well, perhaps you are right-a
woman's name should not be even
breathed on; but, in spite of every
thing. I tell you there is no sWeeter,
better girl in all the world than my
Elaine"
81 am not going 20 contradict you
smiling "Some day I hope she may
be my wife"
The sick man started il uncOntroll
able surprise. half raising himself on
his elbow to look into the others face
and assure himself that he heard
Alright.
Have you asked herr he calculated
in a whisper.
Severn nodded assent.
And she did not refuse yOu|
why should she?-proudly she
knows | love her; and l think she
loves me too. Heaven bless hern'
"Has-has she told you anything of
the past?"
Nothing; and I wish to hear only
what she chooses tC tell"
The old man sunk back weak and
nervcless upon his pillows; the unus-
ual effort to converse had tried him
more than he knew: for the moment
he seemed to lose all consciousness,
until stimulantS speedily applied re-
stored him somewhat. Even then he
lay for long time mOtionless. utterly
exhausted, only breathing slowly and
with evident pain.
1t was more than an hour later
when, reopenng his eyes, Mr.. Bowyer
heckOned to his companion to come
nearer. Though he had appeared so
powerleSs. his brain had not been IN
active, and was obviously still follow
ing the same train of thought.
Let her cOnfide in you tell her
what to do. I acted for the best. I
think now I was wrong. She will for
giye-pOor childr'
The broken sentences came in short
gaSps. and Severn peremptorily for
babe him to say more. Enough had
been said for him to understand that
at some critical moment of her life
Elaine had acted on the old lawyers
advice. and that now he fen ID he
might have cOunSeled wrongly
When the doctor paid his mex visit,
he found his patient so much worse
that he no longer held out any hope,
and considered it his duty to warn
the old man of the dangerous state
that he was in. lest there should be
any arrangements he might neglect
before his death.
To his surprise. Mr.. Bowyer evinced
neither grief nor fear. His only
anxiety was lest he should die before
he could make Il new will; and at his
own desire a telegram was at Ouce
sent off TO Mr.. IevisOn requesting his
presence at once.
This was about his last expressed
wish. Afterward be seemed to sink
rapidly; and neither Elaine nor Colo
mel Severn left him through that night.
When daylight dawned, they were
watching still; and Elaine first be-
came conscious of an anxious glance
that now and then was directed to her
face. 1t was rs though there were
something weighing on his mind of
which he longed to disburden himself.
The girl knelt beside him, and laid
her head close to his.
us there anything you wish me to
90 for you%' she whispered.
Still the dumb beseeching gaze, but
no spoken reply.
us it anything about Mrs. Priolo"
she hazarded.
But the sick man shook his head
sion of his mouth reminded her OF
how he had so often looked when she
had first known him. The tears came
into her eyes, and her fingers frightened
IN their clasp of his thin hand as she
remembered all the cause she had tC
feel both gratitude and love.
Severn rose softly from his chair
and left them alone. AS he did so thu
sick man motiOned to Elaine to come
nearer-nearer still. His voice was s.
weak and broken that, even with he
ear almost touching his lips. she coulC
scarcely comprehend his meaning.
Tell mel am dying-it can do IL
harm now to you or ma-were yol
really guilty-really guilty of you
sisters death?'
The monentOnS question at last pu
into words that so often had tremblet
on his lips during the last three years
he lay quite exhausted and still upol
his pillows. but with his eyes still
fixed tenaciously on the girls whit
startled face.
''You thought it pOssible-you though
coud!" broke from her at last, i
uncomfortable surprise and inexpress
BILE reproach.
Her earnestneSs was so clearly sill
cere that he could not doubt. q
knew then that from the first he ha
never done her justice.
'Forgive-forgive mer' he implore'