Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-24

, surely the g1rl must nave ulNl0et
already what a grim inheritance sh'
was journeying to-what a weigh
of gloom and desolation she had sue
ceeded with the accursed birthrigh
of Oldfriars. But wnat-how mucl
did she really know, Herman Won
dered, of the terrible story Of Alicia
Leigh?
and you never will desert the Pen
riths, will you?" cried Sir Ruy'!
daughter-her faith in the man oppo
site to her growing stronger ever!
minute. promise me that you vii
not"
Il have never broken my word
Miss Penrith," Herman returned
proudly and quietly. Have L,.no
told you 1 promised long ago that
would stand by the Penriths to the
Iast?'
THANK you" Alicia murmurei
pathetically. 1T will tighten my
lonely life in the days to come tC
think that I can reckon upon so Loyal
a friend as you"
The carriage stopped. Alicia Pen
rith's pale face flushed, and then
paled again.
''Are we at Oldfriars?' she cried
with something like an accent of
alarm in her voice.
''No," Herman told her, cheerily
''this is Garth. 1 get out here; my
home is close by. Such a quaint red
brick old house; you must come and
see it some day.
He got out. somewhat hastily per
haps, to avoid meeting again the IN
conscious usefulness of those sweet
dark eyes, and stood a moment or
two by the carriage door, looking
down the dusty village road
eve shall meet again soon, l have
no doubt" he said. Business takes
me to Oldfriars nearly every day, you
know. There is much to be attended
to there, Miss Penrith."
Alicia only shivered in her corner.
"Good-nightr' said Merryweather
then, shutting the door with a quick.
deft hand.
"GooG-night," replied Alicia mourn
fully. and the old family chariot of
the Penriths rolled heavily on it's way
to O1dfriars.
ooh. my father" cried the girl,
wringing her hands very piteously.
now that she was alone once more
with the ghosts of the dead and gone
years, ''why do you leave me so hard
a task to perform? Why did you
bind me by a vow 50 unnatural-a
vow that may prove beyond my
strength? I might have been happy
in time at Oldfriars, if-if-''
Her voice died away in it's despair.
She meekly bowed her head and
prayed that she might grow resigned.
Within half an hour after losing
sight Of Herman Merryweather Sir
Rugs daughter was on the threshold
of her dreary inheritance. 1t was
good old Mrs. Ounce, the sole re-
tainer of the dreadful past, who had
kept faithful in the service Of Lady
Penrith, and who had got to be more
like q friend than a servant to her
mistress by this time-who met the
young girl in the great arched door
way, and with homeliest words of
girls sight; doubtless from the fact
friars.
I'm housekeeper and everything,
my dear" explained Mrs. Ounce,
with gentle familiarity. you must
pardon an old body like me, my dear
because l knew your father so we'll
It's right good to see you at the poor
old place-that it is"
And then the old servant with q
scared countenance, fell back a step
a smothered exclamation suddenly
escaping her.
'Iawk a massey" she whispered
chow like-how very like, to be sure.'
you are very kind" returned
Alicia, absently, in her sweet, tremu
lous tones. apparently not quick tC
perceive Mrs. Ounces odd behavior
and now, please, will you take me
to my grandmother? II am tired
'EPoor child." said the housekeeper
recovering herself, and drawing I
great dingy curtain over the entrance
doors and preparing to lead the way
Come with me, Miss Penrith; he
ladyship is waiting for you in The
tower ROOM"
Alicia followed her guide through
the chilly, spacious hall, with it
murky pictures and ghost-like adorn
ments-the shadowy old hall, whicl
however seemed SO familiar to thu
gill's ght; doubtless from the fac
Of her having Ieard her father de
scribe it sometimes, when he hat
been in the mood to speak Of Old
| friars. and to exhibit the sketche
| he had made of the house in the by
gone days-and UP the rOomy, age
| bl2ckened staircase to Lady PeGrith'
| apartment Even the paneIled corr.
dor, with its groined roof, its man
| carved doors, now locked and forlOrI
| looking, its dusky shelves Of priceless
! china, seemed like an old acqual1
lance to Alicia Penrith. She glance
around her with q soft, involuntar
sigh. It was something to be at HON
at last.
''This is my ladys own room,
whispered Mrs. Ounce, opening ii
massive door in the tower chambe
and, having done this, she vanishe
down a narrow passage near it.
An aged woman, with a haggar
remorseless face and wild, restles
eyes, dressed plainly in long blaC
close-clinging gown, rose from h