Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-08-29
lefty Leigh.
81 Will Live to Curse You"
CHAPTER II.

been fermenting in Mrs. Lennard's
breast, having once passed her lips,
they often passed them. If any one
of her numerous Whims was objected
to by Dr. Lennard, she never failed
to remind him that she was wealthy
enough to please herself, and please
she did.
In the first glow and warmth of his
love, the young doctor had never
given a thought to the riches his wife
had brought him. His private income
was ample enough for them both, and
her money had never been touched by
MIN; if it had, her tenants would PROB
ably have driven him wild. one
snorning they went very near driving
him wild as it was.
An acquaintance, more or less close,
had sprung up between the Lelgn S
and them. Mr.. Leigh, broken-doWn
man of the world, living on very
scanty annuity, had come to Kenmore
to be out of the way. He had played
the game of life in cities, and lost
He came to end his days quietly IN
this lonely spot, where what he MAD
been was unknown, and what he was
passed unnoticed.
His daughter, Lefty, motherless
girl. had a full share OF the faults
usual to one, and rather more than a
full share of the SWeetneSseS. she
was young and wild and shy, and loV-
able withal, and therein lay her blem-
ish in Mrs. Lennard's eyes. She saw
that her husband, who had grown
cold and grave to her, could unbend
to Lefty, smiling kindly at the quaint
speeches and odd ways of the child
woman. To her he was always gentle
and forbearing; he never froWned ON
her. he never chilled her by covert
sneer and all this the Jealous woman
fancied he did to herself. Her own
brilliant blonde beauty was fading
rapidly, while day by day, and week
by week, the soft flush fired and
deepened on Letty's round cheek, and
the clear, steady light in her gray
eyes frightened.
For months now Dr. Lennard had
gone his way; never unkind, always
cold; he did not upbraid, but he could
not caress the woman who had daSned
his cup with bitters. He did not love
her: she herself had killed his love;
but he could never forget the unleav-
ened joy of the first few weeks OF his
married life when he had loved her
wholly intensely, with the gath
ered-up strength of his manhood. He
never ceased to remember, often with
a sigh. the radiant vision of girllsh
loyeliness that had passed through the
dim stone hall by his side that far
June morning on which he had
brought home his bride.
Every one but his wife was saying
how i'll the doctor looked; every one
pitied him, and was considerable to
MIN.
Pauline's jealous nature, ever crav-
ing to be first, had sickened over his
neighborly attentions to Lefty Leigh
for days and days, and this morning
the torrent burst.
The breakfast hour had passed in
sullen silence on Pauline's part, and
uuiet Indifference on the doctor s.
He had got used to these domestic
storms. and plainly saw that one was
gathering. Breakfast over, he rose to
go out. feeling thankful that this one
had only threatened, aud as he
reached the door a clear voice, that
both husband and wife recognized as
Ietty's. broke into a laugh in the
hall
A moment later, and Lefty Leigh,
still smiling. stood in the doorway,
with a merry "Good-morning." The
doctor, after returning her greeting,
and placing a chair for her. went TO
the bookcase, and proceeded to select
a volume, while he asked her What
had been amusing her so.
Il have just been walking on the
shore" she replied, land before |
knew, sudden gust came by, and my
poor hat went dancing over the
waves"
'You should be more careful Of your
nat Miss Lefty, on go windy morn
ing" said the doctor, smilingly.
81 know, but l wasn't thinking of it
just then" said Lefty; land | couldn't
but laugh when I saw it bobbing
about in the water like a wild thing.
But the tide was coming in strongly,
and / got my poor old hat again. and
that is what brought me at this hour.
/ have left 1t in the kitchen to get
dried
Miss Leigh can not have break
tasted yet, Pauline said the doctor,
glancing at his wife, but she did not
heed him.
His pale face flushed at her want
OF courtesy, and Lettys countenance
was of most embarrassed crimson as
she rose to go.
t'Thank you. Doctor Lennard," >ke
said: Il dare not stay. My papa will
want me to get his breakfast ready,
and my hat must be fit to put on now,
for it was drying while l talked TO
judith
The girl paused, out of breath, her
long speech not serving to lessen her
confusion, for the doctors keen eye
glanced from her face to his wife's
more than once as she made it.
You must not put on a damp hat,
Miss Lefty" said the doctor. or we
shall have you taking cold, and then
what would papa say? Better he
should wait or his breakfast"
speak the truth at once" broke in
Mrs r pnnnT5 bIISl.ilr nor Iol,o arnS