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

J RaQldnt as We'll is lovely. with
faint rOSe-cOlOr in her usually pale
cheeks, and nothing of the Sphinx, i
was very different Elaine that stood
before George Severn a week later
her hand Outstretched in friendly greet
ing, her eyes smiling happily into his
own. But the light faded somewhat
from her face as he told her why he
had sought her. and she realized how
long it must be before they met again
1t appeared that he had invested
some of his savings in houses and
mortgages on houses in India, and that
now, it being advisable for him to
realize the money and transfer it to
his own account at home, his presence
was absolutely needed there, as some
of the transactions were intricate.
Il don't want to go in the very least
he said, dOlefully II was so heartily
sick of India before l left it. I should
never have remained there so long had
it not been for my son: it is for his
i sake [ 60 back now. I feel that it
is his money as much as mine which
! is at stake, and that I have no right
. W ICI II 80 WlluOul ii SIGugSlb.
''Will Mr. Severn go with you?'
+ The colonel shook his head.
! He is coming here to study with
; his tutor. You will be kind to him.
will you not, while he is at the Abbey?
| should like to know that he is here
though being so near you will scarcely
terd to cure him of that which sent
him away before"
Familiarity may breed contempt
blushing brightly.
''Not in your case. But he is very
young, and perhaps. if he sees there
is no hope
He knows that now. He is very
young, as you say; of course he will
grow wiser and forget"
He looked at he keenly. trying to de-
tect if there was any hidden mean
ing, any bitterness in her speech If
there WIS. She lid it etfectually, and
met his glance pravely.
And you are quite happy now?' he
asked, still gazing searchingly into her
face.
"As happy as I shall ever be. l
can't tell you how good Mr. Bower
is TO me, now penitent for his doubt.
[ really Notwithstanding has gone
to the opposite extreme, and suspects
me now of being perfect"
And Mrs. PriOlO-dOes she keep her
promise"' he asked.
Most faithfully. When she is
obliged to speak to me, she does so
with civility; but she avoids me as
much as possible, and that pleases me
best"
And Mr.. BOWyer has never alluded
to the matter Of the arsenic again?"
Never. [ can't help fancying he
has guessed a little of the truth, for
he is very stiff and reserved with Mrs.
Priolo, and she is most subdued."
''She is a wicked designing woman.
scarcely like leaving you with her"
II am quite safe" she assured him.
earnestly. $50 long as Mr. Bowyer
lives she can not harm me; and-and
if he dies"
It was on Severn's lips to answer her
with warm protestation of his love,
ways cherish her, if only she would
consent to become his wife; but he
restrained himself by a strong effort
'I wish" he said. presently, that
you had some friend, some woman
friend, in whom you could confide, who
could give you the help of sympathy at
least. There is Miss Featherstone-I
10 no
her. If opportunity offers, will you
promise me to make her acquaintance"
The promise was somewhat reluct-
antly given. She had her own reasons
for not wishing to have any friends;
out how could she refuse him anything
he asked her now when he was going
away?
'It is time that l was going. I must
say goodbye"
She looked up, startled and disturbed.
In the last supreme moment Of their
parting no disguise seemed possible;
and, as her eyes met his, each read in
the others the whole truth.
He made a half-involuntary move
forward, then stopped suddenly, while
she stood waiting. 1t was the hardest
task he had ever set himself, during a
long self-sacrifcing life, to watch the
! half-eXpectant look fade away gradu-
! ally, and see it replaced by a proud
| shyneSs, as, recalled to herself by the
very sharpness of the pang, she under
| stood that they We're to be to each other
| friends as formerly, but, ah, no more!
! She gave him her hand with an ex-
preston of regret which, though eX-
actly suited to the occasion, betrayed
nothing of the agony Of her despair.
I'VE shall miss you very much. =
! she said, gravely.
| It was impossible 10 pretend indif-
ference; it would have gone against her
nature being in no way coquettish.
even the innocent gayety of girlhood
! having disappeared forever when her
sister died.
Almost simultaneously they said
| Goodbye"
A cold piercing wind was whistling
! through the trees, and blew down a
shower Of leaves wet with the rain OF
the previous night. One fell against
Elaine's cheek. and struck her with a
keen sense of chillinesS. It seemed
to her then as though she had been
growing colder and colder all the while
and that the eliminating point was
reached only then. as Severn turned
abruptly and strobe away, while she
was left alone, with the hand thai