Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-16
and hOnOrs of war which should have
accompanied ii were on the other side.
CHAPTE RXIII.

A dull tOggy morning. The damn
seemed to cling TO and envelope every.
thing, while the cold was so piercing
and penetrating that even in his thl,;
overcoat Colonel Severn shivered as
he rode on quickly toward Grea thaSen
1t was business, not pleasure that took
him out that morning; afterward be
was half inclined to call it fate.
Presently, few PAGES before him
for the fog prevented his seeing
further than that ahead--he saw a girl
struggling on under the weight of a
heavy bag, her saturated skirts cling
ing round her feet and impeding her
progress. .sr
Something familiar struck him in
the gait, and he hurried on till he
came nearly to her side She was
dres sed in black, and a thick Grape
veil hid her features; but a CLEAN of
light golden hair and an involuntary
shrinking away as she turned and saw
him assured him of her identity.
though her presence there at such an
our and in such a plight seemed i'm
possible
Miss Warde, is it your
She threw back her veil, disclosing a
face pale and sad, but infinitely lovely.
Yes, it is ~ she said
But what are you doing here at
this time?'
4 might ask the same of YOU" she
ROT with o+t
which completely failed to deceive
him.
THAT is a different thing altogether.
You are walking, and have a travel.
ing-bag. You are going way-where?"
"Where?' she repeated vaguely.
"Ah, if l only knewr'
Severn had got down fr0-1 his horse:
the bride was over his arm, and the
bag that she held he had taken from
her; with his ether hand he touched
her lightly on the sleeve.
Let me tell you. Trust yourself to
my guidance" he entreated.
There is no one I would sooner
listen to-"
Then turn back with me now. Mr..
Bowyer is your natural protector. Be-
feve me, it is very, very hard for a
woman to face the world alone. Don't
try it, DON'T
IF you knew ALL" she began.
My advice would still be the same
In every phase of life there are trials
to be borne; but a woman is always
safer and happier in her own home"
''Mr. Bowyer is not my uncle"
Colonel Severn expressed 60 sur
prise. he had suspected for some
time that the tie between them was
not that of relationship.
Still he has adopted you; and that
he is really fond Of you I am sure
Have you any one nearer to you than
he is?''
She shook her head sadly
Then take my advice, and go back"
With a movement he indicated the
hung back, hesitating.
First listen to my story"
Again he interrupted her, this time
with an accent Of authority.
Il will listen as we walk back to-
gether. Come on now"
When their faces were turned to-
ward Littlehaven, Ellen blurted out
her story. the events of the day be-
fore.
Put into plain words, and told in the
light of day, the consciousness of in
noceIce prevailing the recital, the
whole thing sounded ridiculous and
She was not surprised
when the colonel laughed aloud as she
finished
why, the woman must be mad as
we'll as wicked, to imagine you capable
of such a crime! Pshaw-it is too alb
surd.'
"And get to any one who did not
believe in me the case would seem a
very strong one. 1t was I who sug-
gested having the poison to kill the
rats, instead Of trap, and I who
made the tea in which the poison
must have been"
'It is too absurd" he repeated. 81
wonder you allowed yourself to be
frightened 500
To be continued