Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-19
l'nder fife Cloud.
By {. S. WILLIAMSON.

she naSJlly unlocked the uOOI, anu
rushed upstairs as though all the
prisoners in Newgate were let loose
and were following closely at her very
heels.
Recalling to mind his conversation
with Colonel Severn, Mr.. BOWyer felt
that he had not shown to advantage
not behaved, in fact, as a gentleman
should. He had revealed an eagerness
to get rid of his niece which the cir
cumstances certainly did not justify,
and his unbecOming mention of the
sum he intended to give as a dOwry
had been downright indicate. He
was thoroughly disguised with himself
and honestly repented on Ellen's ac-
count. She had been so good and low
ing to him, so grateful for what he
had done, so anxious to repay his
kindness; and Iatterly he had not been
kind.
1t added to his penitence when Ell
len entered the room with some
flowers, all sweet-scented and his fay
orites, for the vase on his table.
The girl was, as usual, dressed in
deep mourning; her thick black mer
inO with heavy folds of Grape, seemed
almost to weigh her down; and she
looked so pale and tired that Mr.. Bow
yer felt compelled to notice it.
Child, have you no thinner clothes?
That frock is getting shabby too. [
noticed yesterday how brown it looked
in the light"
"The dust, / expect We want rain
badly. All my flowers are shriveled
up" said Ellen, STOPPING to brush the
hem of her skirt with her handker
chief.
The dust has robbed you of your
color too, suppose?'-dryly.
"Ah that.is the heat, perhaps!'
Don't you think that might be miti-
gated by wearing something thinner,
more suited to the weather."
Ellen crimsoned, but did not reply at
once ''It will get cooler SoOn," she
said, presently; and then, she added,
Il think sometimes that this idleness
is not the best thing for me. 1t gives
be too much time for thought. Why
should | be a burden to you all my
life? Don't imagine" she continued,
earnestly after moment, going
closer, then kneeling beside his chair
don't imagine that | like to leave you
that it will not pain me more than
you can guess to cut myself adrift
from the shelter you have given me.
Your wonderful kindness to me, an
entire stranger, is q puzzle to me
still. 1t was so generous, so noble Of
you to stand by me and lend me such
powerful aid when even those who
had been my friends held alOOf. |
have accepted your goodness freely
as know it was ungrudgingly offered;
but now-now I think it best for both
our sakes that we should part"
and what do you think Of doing"
The words sounded cold, almost I'M
feeling, in contrast with the fervOr of
her speech. Not an accent of reproach
! had been in her voice, only love and
gratitude; but he knew, as surely as
! though she had told him in plain
words that she wished to go because
she felt she was no longer welcome.
Uncomfortable and i'll at ease he took
| refuge in apparent displeasure at her
suggestion.
Il thought of going as a governess,"
she answered, timidly.
You are we'll qualified, of course?'
II know little French; | can play
and sing-that more for my own
amusement than other peoples pleas
| ure, I am afraid. l don't play as l
! learned"
He shook his head.
Your voice is charming, but-fOr-
give me for saying so-it is quite I'M
! trained; and nowadays so much is re-
quired from a gOverness."
Then a companion. At least | can
read aloud, and make myself gener-
ally usefuI'-with a little hurt pride.
Are you aware that for every situa-
ton as companion there are not less
than fifty applicants?'
Still by some lucky chance L might
be the successful one"
! You might" agreed Mr.. B0wyer,
but with no conviction in his tones.
! well, l can act. Why should | not
go on the stage under a feigned
name"
! His eyes met hers gravely.
"You know as we'll as / do what
objections there are to that scheme"
| You mean that l should be recog-
nized, tracked-that l might as well
! have never attempted to escape? Do
! you know that often 1 am tempted to
! go back Of my own accord, and-and
} take my chance"
Such a world of bitterness and de-
spair lay in her tones that Mr.. Bowyer
felt moved to deepest pity, and his
own voice grew tremulous as he re-
piled:
DO you think me cruel to speak so:
1t is not that l am trying to prove
that all doors are closed against you
it is because | want to keep you with
me. When 1 offered you escape and q
home, I did not act unadvisedly and
without thought. | weighed the mat
ter we'll, and resolved that, if I inter
fered at all, it should be to some pur
pose. When once l meddled with youl
fate | felt [ was responsible for youl
future. And, Ellen, it has been 9
| pleasure as well as a duty to try to
make you happy; don't tell me [ have
failedr
Forgive mer she whispered, hum
bly,, and covered the thin hand thai
,1-or 1aid cron+Iv On hon, SbolII6ar Nj II