Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-12

rights one by one and instead Of fight
ing, she renowned them quietly.
Once or twice, when she came back III
the window, as she passed.
Mr.. Bowyer, seated by the fire and the
housekeeper reading aloud, OF else
talking earnestly, while the old man
paced the room in evident INDIGESTION.
She was too proud to interrupt them, /
and it never entered her head that
these conversations concerned her. (
Nor indeed was her name ever men
toned, Mrs. Priolo was too clever TO
commit an indiscretion. If the old
lawyer once suspected that she dis
liked Ellen, and was trying TO Witty
her for her own ends, her game would
be at an end. He would be on his
guard, and distrust whatever she
might presently have occasion to
bring against his protegee.
If she even spoke of Ellen. it was
affectionately and piifully; but even
then she managed to implant sting.
Another circumstance distressed FL
len. Colonel Severn had never been
to the Dover House since that day on
which she had asked for his aid. Had
she in any way fallen in his estima-
ton? Did he suspect anything, or was
it simply Discrimination? Only Charlie
seemed to take any pleasure in her
society now; SO no wonder she greeted
him so cordially, and that such sweet
regret shone from her eyes when she
said goodby.
But, self-engrossed as she was, she
had not been utterly blind to Mrs.
Priolo'S Vaccinations. At last she re-
solved to act boldly and demonstrate
with her. If that had no effect, she
would appeal to Mr.. Bewyer, and ask
if it was by his wish that they were
never together nOW-never alone as
they used to be. One pay Ellen man
aged to intercept her while on the
stairs.
Mrs. Priolo," she said, in her sweet
low-toned voice, why do you try to
| come between Mr.. Bowyer and me?'
81? Why, don't understand! Why
should 1 do such a thing?"
Eyes, why?" repeated Ellen, firmly.
It's some nonsense of yours, Miss
Ellen. You were always given to
dreaming"
But | am not dreaming now. I can
see plainly that you are taking ad-
vantage of Mr. Bowyer's illness to
usurp my place"
and, if I am"-fercely-" who
usurped mine. / had served him for
more than nine years, and he was al
ways satisfied with me and wanted
no one else until you came, scheming
after his money"
Il scheme after his money! cried
Ellen, scornfully. You may have
every farthing he possesses if you will
only leave me in peace and let him like
me as much as he used to do"
Mrs. Priolo smiled a slow, compre-
| hensive smile full of unbelief.
Cant you trust me"'-impatiently.
I'D sooner make things certain for
myself, thank you, Miss Ellen
''Then shall go at once to Mr.. Bow
yer and tell him what has passed be-
tween u.s. / shall beg him to leave me
nothing. [ shall tell him that I want
/
Her decided attitude and evident
determination to carry out her threat
made the housekeeper grow red, then
pale, with apprehension. She would
never had shown her hand so reck-
lessly had she thought Ellen would
dare resist her will.
81 don't see what good that would
do to either of us-and he is i'll too
she remarked hastily.
'"Then promise me you will do as l
wish" insisted Ellen. Let us be to
! gether alone in the morning and even
! ing as we used to be. If you want to
! attack, let me at least defend myself"
Indeed. miss, I don't want to do
! you any harm; and I hope you'll not
/ harm me- / have the best right to his
money, you'll admit, having been with
! only brother-why, I'm the only con-
nection he has"
81 told you"-haughtily- I had
no wish for his money"
81 am almost his sister, Miss Ellen,
you see' Then, abandoning the cring-
| ing manner she had adopted, and lean
! ing forward, so Nat she might see if
! her random shot would tell, she added,
! meaningly, Had you ever sister,"
But she was not prepared for so
immediate or so decisive result. Ell
len Warde fell back against balusters,
breathing heavily, as though her heart
were affected by some sudden shock.
With widely opened eyes she stared
blankly at the speaker, her lips as
white as chalk.
She was evidently in deadly fear,
and Mrs. Priolo was careful to say
| nothing to reassure her.
"You leave me alone and I'll leave
you alone' she observed; and, nod
ding her head triumphantly, she went
toward the room where Mr.. Bowyer
was seated, feeling that she had won
the game with points to spare.
Two Or three months had passed
since Colonel Severn's last visit to the
Dover house; nor had he seen Ellen
ia the interval. Charlie had always
asked for his company at first, and
expressed himself injured at the some
what curt refusals he received; but
latterly he had evidently preferred go
ing thither alone. One day, as he
was starting off as usual. his father
stopped him in the hall.
Come into my den a moment,
Charlie, l want to speak to you" he
sold