Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-06


schemes.
Secret for secret, she had said TO
Elaine that day when her duplicitv
was discovered: but she knew we'll
hat the value Of each was not equal.
The confession she had made and
signed would be Of no use against her
when once Mr.. Bowyer was dead:
while only after that event could she
use her knowledge of the Sydney
tragedy with good effect. either to
satisfy her revenge or sell her silence.
if that should prove the more profita-
bic course. At present she was con-
tent and more hopeful than might have
been expected.
Mr.. BOwyer had not DESTROYED his
former will in which she was named
as sole heiress. He meant to do so at
the earliest opportunity; but with the
usual prOcrastinatiOn in such matters
the natural reluctance to admit the
need of hurry, he had delayed to send
for the lawyer to draw up another.
and in the meantime kept intact the
! former one. with what idea he himself
! could net have told.
/ Early in the spring Charles Severn
had come to the Abbey with his tutor
/ to be coached for his examinations. At
! first he felt some shyness in going to
| the Dover House, but by and by that
feeling died away as the love that had
prompted it also died a natural death.
Elaine was somewhat amused and
somewhat sore to see how. when he
had been at Littlehaven for about a
month, he suddenly developed an at
tachment for gentle Mary Feather
stone, the wears daughter and after
ward was seldom far away from her
side
At first he received little or no en-
enlargement. The girl knew Of his for
mer passion. and doubted the depth
Of his feelings, which could so lightly
change; nor was Elaine much inclined
+. to sympathize when. in boyish fashion.
he came and confded his ill-success to
her
One day ne introduced them to each
other. and after that a rapid friend
ship grew up between the girls. at
which the young man felt a little az
grieved. It seemed to him that he
was making no progress at all, and
that since these two had known each
other he was left completely in the
cold. One day he betrayed his jealousy
of her to Elaine, and she resolved Oh
the first opportunity to speak to Mary.
and see if he had any chance.
That same afternoon the wears
daughter came to the Dover House.
The two girls often visited the poor
people in the village: and Elaine. who
was in her bedroom, hastily put on
her hat before descending. thinking
they were to go together then
But this was not he case. as was
hastily explained. There was typhoid
fever in the village. and Miss Feather
stone had come to warn Elaine against
going thither until the doctor pro-
nounced it once more safe.
Mr.. Bowyer was evidently terribly
nervous at the news, and with rather
suspicious eagerneSs asked Miss Feath-
erstone if she had been in the village
lately.
Il have not been for several DAYS:
and there was no danger until yester-
day. A poor woman with a baby, on
her way to Greathaven. was taken
Ill and tainted on the road. She SEEM
ed so i'll that some people took her
IN and sent for a doctor. who saw at
once what was the matter She died
this morning; and now the child has
it."
How sad-how unfortunate it isv'
said Elaine presently. This will put
a stop to our visiting for some time.
and the poor people will miss us, I
suppose
II shall go as usual" said Mary.
"You will go?'
"Of course. I am my fathers curate.
you know. That was really why I
came today, for we may not meet
safe for us to meet"
Elaine's blank look Of disappointment
betrayed something Of what she felt:
and Mary understood. knowing how
she herself would rebel were she COM
handed to stand aside unhelpful while
others were suffering.
You see. dear, it is so different with
you she urged, gently. Mr.. Bowyer
is naturally afraid of SO terrible a dis
ease. Your first duty is to him Then
there would be the risk to the serv-
ants
u shall miss you dreadfullyr
And l you. What friends we have
become. and in so short time, Why
would you never let me know you
before?'
Il had a reaSOn-a very strong rea-
son, you may be sure. | dare say I am
wrong now; but I promised"
She broke off shyly, but Mary com
pleted the sentence for her with a
smile at the others so palpable con-
fusion.
You promised Colonel Severn.
know he was very anxious we should
bc friends because you we.e too much
! alone. When is the colonel c"M:pg
back, EIaine?"
I do not know" was the answer,
given almost IN a whisper.
Somehow I fancy it will be soon.
| Before he went he was talking to me
of his wish to secure every one a happy
! Christmas. Last winter he was almost
a stranger here, and had been so long
in India that he had forgotten English
customs: but this year was to be very
| different"