Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-30

If l do not complain. surely no one
else has the right to do So"
We'll, l will seeI will see. If you
meet Mr.. Leyison, will you ask him to
come TO me for a mOmentE'
She bowed her head in assent. and
was leaving the room, when a sudden
thought struck her, and she turned
round again and addressed him.
Remember" she said. impressively,
that if. in opposition TO my wish, you
leave me any money either directly or
indirectly. you can not force me to
accept it,
And" she went on. remember that
to serve you so without hope Or ex-
pectation of reward is the only way in
which I can assure you of my graft
tude and rewin your love-your conf
dence. Give me at least a chance"
He kept his face averted to hide a
moisture which had risen to his eyes
at the pathos and yearning in her
voice. When he turned again. she was
gone. and the door drawn 10 behind
her
The tears were in her eyes too. and
her mouth. still trembl9d, as. going
around the corner of the stairs, she
encountered the lawyer coming up.
He stood on one side to let her pass
''Mr. Bower wishes to speak to
you" she said
You have been with him."
Yes A sudden impulse moved her
to confide in him and seek his aid. II
have been asking him to leave my
name out of his will altogether" she
said, speaking very rapidly to hide the
tremor in her voice. II do not want
his money: and-will you try to per-
suade him that it would be bestowed
more judicioasly and received more
gratefully elsewhere?"
L am so utterly in the dark in this
matter that I fear my advice would
have little or no. weight"
''Still you must have guessed some
thing of the truth. Mr. Bowyer sus>
poets me of having tried to poison
him.
mo one could believe it of you. II
is too ridiculous, too monstrous."
She looked up at him gratefully, still
seeing everything through a mist Of
tears
Mr.. Levison, studying her with an
intent expression in his dark keen eyes
and crediting unhesitatingly what she
said, thought that her character too
was not devoid of nobility and gener-
osity.
yet, as you are innocent, why
should you hesitate to take the money
to which you certainly have some
claim? Why should you suffer through
a mistaken idea that would, am con
fident, have never arisen if Mr.. Bow
yer had been in perfect health?'
Elaine smiled sadly and shook her
head.
- do not care for money. 1t is no
deprivation to me at all. Never hav-
ing possessed a fortune, I shall never
miss it."
Il must remind you however that,
putting luxuries out of the question,
there is great difference between the
comfort you enjoy at present and alb
solute renury."
Il dare say" she returned, indiffer.
entyl; but l am not afraid of being
poor That-as things are nOW-seems
q minor evil"
But things, [ hope, will not always
be as they are now; and, Miss Warde,
will you remember that [ will do any
thing I can for you? If you want me,
telegraph at any time, and l will come
at once to right the wrong that is
being done you now"
She looked up at him gratefully. her
heart too full for speech, then passed
on her way downstairs, while the law
yer proceeded to Mr.. Bowyer's room.
It was Sunday afternoon, and
throughout the house reigned that
strange stiffness which is suggestive Of
and inseparable from the day. The
servants had walked over to Great
haven to church, and no one was In
the kitchen except Mrs. PriOlo, who
dozed before the fire where she had
placed herself to watch the water boil
for Mr.. Bowers tea. Life seemed
very pleasant to the housekeeper just
then. All her schemes had succeeded,
and she could look forward with COM
placency to a prosperous future, as
mistress Of her employers fortune at
his death. For Mr.. Bowyer had as
scented to Elaine's proposition; new
will was made, in which Mrs. Priolo
was nominated sole legatee. SO she
dozed and dreamed by the fire in d
happy security which she had no idea
could ever be assailed. A ring at the
front door half reused; but it was not
till it was repeated did she remember
that the servants were out and she
must answer it. Then, getting up
hastily, she ran upstairs.
To be continued.
WORSE THAN OPIUM.