Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-06
Ii der the Cloud
By E. s. WILLIAMSON.


, light at being exonerated for the time
overwhelmed the feeling of disguised
horror which Severn had expected he1
to display toward the woman who had
acted so wicked and treacherous a
part. Presently she said
Does Mr.. Bowyer know? Have you
told him.
NO but I will do so now.'
The housekeeper jumped up and
caught hold of Ellen's soft black
gown.
IF he does, I will tell all I know
she Kissed out spitefully. as a last
desperate chance of escape.
Severn did not hear the threat, it
having been uttered in a whisper. and
was at the dOor-almost on the thresh-
old-when q slight touch upon his
sleeve brought him back at once.
What is it," he asked. gently.
Must yOu-is it absolutely necessary
to let Mr.. Bowyer know what she has
done?'
II could not do otherwise; it is due
to him and, what is more. to yourself"
But if I waive my rightT'- looking
earnestly into his face.
''Why should you spare her? Has
/ she ever spared your
She turned away her head, ashamed
to meet the look of loving admiration
/ that he had cast upon her.
ut is not that; it is not from any
feeling of magnanimity or mercy"
she murmured, in low abashed voice
Then what is it?''
From fear. She can injure me-
oh, more fatally than you can imagine
/ possible!-if she is driven to despera-
! tom
But surely you don't wish her to
go scOt-free, SO that if she chooses
she may be at liberty to continue her
cruel schemes against yOu?"
'Is there no middle course|'
"None that I can see. You are upset
now, naturally, and incapable of judg-
F! ing for yourself-let me judge for you.
Nothing she could bring against you
would be so terrible as the suspicion Of
having tried to poison your best friend,
your benefactor."
She shrunk back, silenced. She felt
that she could no longer face the in
evitable.
The housekeeper had been hanging
anXiously on every word in their low
! toned conversation. Her fate as we'll
as Elaine's was trembling in the bal
ance-they would stand or fall to-
2ethcr; it would almost console her for
her own loss if this girl were seen at
last in her true colors.
She held up her head and stood up
right again, feeling that, with Ellen
Warde to back her up, she might die
tate her own terms.
There is a middle course. Miss
Warde shall be eXonerated completely
If you will let me do il in my own
way; and I promise I will never try
to injure her again"
The colonel looked doubtfully at
Elaine.
How could you do that without
laying the blame on an innocent per-
son?''
:. Il shall put it down to the careless
ness of a servant, only now confessed.
There is nothing culpable in careless
HESS, tSptCldlly witch
as l shall represent it to have been"
"Since you hold such opinions, how
are we to be sure of your good faith
in the matter; and how can l know
beyond all doubt that Miss Warde
will be free from any annoyance
prosecutions from you in future?'
81 will write a full confession of my
actions in the matter of the arsenic,
and Miss Warde shall make use of it
if ever she has reason to complain.
Secret for secret; we shall be quits
then, and neither free to harm the
other"
/ Colonel Severn looked displeased. It
Jared upon him to hear this woman
claim an equality with Elaine on such
q score. But a second frtive glance
at Elaine decided him. He saw that il
! would be for her happiness We're he to
consent; and so, sad at heart and sorely
against his will, he consented.
Mrs. Priolo at once fetched pen, ink,
paper. and set about fulfilling her part
of the contract, the colonel standing
over her and insisting on a full con-
fesSiOn of the motives that had moved
her as we'll as an admission of the
actual deed committed. When it was
written and signed, he and Elaine wit
messed it. Then he put it into his
] pocket.
81 will send this" he explained to
Mrs. Priolo, "to Mr.. Levison tonight
he is my own lawyer as we'll as Mr..
Bowyer's-and I shall give him minute
instructions as to when and under
what conditions he may use it. So
long as you do your duty to your en-
ployer and do not harass Miss Warde
in any way, you will be as safe as
though you had never written it."
Il will not thank you for your for
bearance, because I know perfectly
well you would have shown me no
mercy if it had been convenient to do
So I will so now and tell my story
to Mr.. Bowyer; you may follow in
: about ten minutes. Miss Ellen
DO you think she is to be trusted =
asked Severn, when they We're alone.
Yes I think So You see. it is to
her interest to be true to her word"
"She ought to have been unhesitat-
) ingly denounced. I wish,' he said
: earnestly. that there was no need OF
, concealment i'll your case-that you
f could face the matter boldly, and take
the risk
f 1T is impossible I might have done
\ SO once. but it is TOO late now