Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-05
T. der t6e Cloud
By E. S. WILLIAMSON.

II Is true, out recurring again and
again with every change of voice and
gesture-tO some one l had known
and-and loved, years surely it must
be centuries-agoi To her l had
brought only sorrow. A few days
after | had seen your performance l
heard what had happened. l made
friends with the chief Of the police and
managed to be present at the coroner'S
inquiry, with some vague idea of eX-
plating my fault to her by being OF
use to you.
1T was the widest, most unlawyer-
like idea that flashed into my mind
as the evidence proceeded and you did
not even attempt to defend yourself.
l thOughC even you would laugh at
me as mailman, or at least diStruSt
my good intentions when | presented
myself before you and proposed that
you should come with me and make
use Of the passage which Il day before
l had taken for my h0usekeeper. But
you trusted me completely. and &C
cepted my help without any question
whatever. A few thea trical properties
that happened to be in your room
rendered our plans easier, and the
next morning found us Steaming away
from Sydney, away from all the
troubles that had threatened you, IN
suspected and unfollowed by anyone"
Il remember" she whispered. "Oh,
the relief l felt as land gradually
faded out of sight, 1t was not till
many days later that I wondered why
you had interested yourself in me. l
was too thankful for the result to
question it's cause"
And now it scarcely seems strange
to me at ALL" put in the old man
softly. The resemblance l spoke Of
seems to grow daily-0r perhaps 1 i'm
agine it. Your presence is a pleasure
to me always. I like to watch you
fitting about the house, and to know
that you are looking after me as a
daughter might have done if things
had been different Ny one wish now
is to see you happier.
Believe me, there is no fear of de,
lection. If we had been fated to be
discovered, it would have happened
long ago"
Hundreds Of people must have seen
me at the theater," she said, hope
lessly.
"A stage makeup is the most de
ceptive thing in the world. l scarcely
recognized you myself at the inquest
that day. Besides you are wonder
fully changed-since then; and the
short hair makes a difference. But to
return to what [ was speaking of be
fore. Ellen. why won't you call me
'uncle?'
Blushing painfully, and avoiding his
gaze she replied:
Il would rather not, (tinlidly) but of
course 1 will do so if you insist
Il do not insist" he interrupted
hastily But at least do not call me
Sir as though you were a dependent"
Il am dependent on your goodness.
You are so generous and kind that
l have room only for gratitude in my
heart-gratitude and love-"
And don't you think that repays me
for anything I can do?" he asked, gen
tly.
She took his hand in hers and kissed
it, then rose to her feet and turned
away shyly, half afraid that he might
: consider it a liberty.
What do you think of our landlord
neighbor as he will be too, I fancy"
asked Mr.. Bowyer, changing the sub
ject.
Il think he seemed very pleasant
and anxious to be kind"
Il thought him a capital fellow. |
wonder if he is married?'
"Oh, no-I fancy not"'
Mr.. Bowyer smiled. He had noticed
Colonel Severn's evident admiration of
her, and was amused to find that, in
spite of her abstraction and the indif-
ference which had become habitual,
she had apparently noticed it as we'll
II suppose dinner is nearly ready"
he observed a moment later.
II will see,'' said Ellen.
AS her fingers closed round the han
die the door was opened hastily from
the outside, and Mrs. Priolo faced her,
with a half-apologetic, half-defant ex-
preston, as though asserting her right
to be there in such close proximity
to the key-hole.
81 came to say dinner is ready when
you wish for it, SIR" she said, quickly.
and I am ready for dinner" replied
the old man cheerfully, not having
seen how suspiciously hurried was her
entrance into the room.
But, if his sagacity was at fault,
Ellen Warde's intelligence was quick
ened by fear-the nervous dread lest
her secret should be discovered. She
realized at once that Mrs. Priolo had
been listening-her very explanation of i
her presence proved it. The only ques-
ton was, How long had she been there
how much had she heard?
Ellen tried to reassure herself, but
with little success. The conviction
was rooted firmly in her mind that
some day, by some means, she would
be discovered and compelled to stand
her trial for the murder Of her sister. |
CHAPTER ".
To Colonel Severn the next day |
seemed a yeIy long one. 1t would be |
intruding, he felt, to call again on his |
new tenants so soon; and, besides, they /
SxoJ1Id have nlontU 70 do arra noin q