Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-08-29

it scathless.
Mrs. Lennard's health had been all
ing for some time Not trusting to
his own skill, and feeling that the ad-
vice of another was more likely to be
regarded by her than his, her husband
called in DR.. Green. He ordered
change to a milder climate, and at
once But if DR.. Leonard thought dis
wife was going to heed any more, he
was mistaken. She fatty refused to
leave Kenmore.
NO she said, in one Of her, old
outbursts; 'she had brought her there
to die, and she would die. She told
him how it would be, ard now it had
COME true"
DR.. I.ennard said nothing. but his
mouth closed, and a little of the pain
that was eating his life out flashed mp
into his face. He knew that any re-
-nonstranca of his would only fix her
in her resolve, but in his round that
day he called at the Leighs' cottage,
and asked Lefty to go up and talk to
her, "for," as he frankly said, "if you
do not succeed, it is hopeless My
wishes she would not regard in the
ma tier at ALL
Lefty promised to use her best in
f1uence: and that evening when the
doctor came home, be found them
both seated by the fire in the draw
ing-roon. busy talking. Letty's dark
face was all agiow with earnest elo-
-quence, and Pauline lay back in her
chair and listened with a quiet smile.
Pauline had been very i'll of late.
worse than the doctor himself knew
of; her always slight form was pain
fully thin, and her large, soft eyes
! were painfully brilliant With all hen.
lll-health the twist and curl never left
her hair, AID now it lay over the
crimson cushion in a silken tangle of
light. She was very fair. very beauti-
ful, more womanly than ever he had
seen her, even in the first sparkle of
youth and health; and the great, ten
der love in his soul yearned toward
her as he looked on her placid, deli
cate face. 1t spoke in his voice, in
the touch of his hand; it shone from
out the depths of his dark eyes. It
changed the stern, grave husband into
the fond lover Of old time. Oh. blind
heart. Oh, cruel hand. to fling back
such holy Offering.
You are better tonight, PaulineY'
said he.
Yes, 1 am greatly better" she said
L am not going to die. I. walked
down alone; and see, nv hand is
cooler. Oh, yes, you must see I am
better"
Her husband took the little white
hand in his, and stroked it tenderly
and though the cold damp of it's palm
cnllled him, he gave no sign. Her
eyes Frightened with a little of their
Old fire as she looked across to where
Letty sat in the shadow, her head
Ieanlng against the mantel.
Lefty came over early in the after
noon to see me-" she said. ''and from
then TILL now her one cry has been
that L must go to Devonshire. or
Italy, Or France, or somewhere-anv
where L think would please her. 50
that it was far enough from Fen
more"
Lefty half smiled as she met the
doctors approving glance.
1t is not what would please me-
she said. 1T is what Doctor Green
says you require. l should not like to
see you going away from Kenmore
only for q few hours
Too weak to be angry, Mrs. Len
nard grew peevish.
Il Shall not leave Kenmore" she
said. Il am well enough to go to
Laplal'd, if it is the cold you dread. I
Shall stay here"
well, well, then, Pauline, YOU
SHALL said the doctor, soothing1y
You know yourself change would
do YOU good But if you took it I'M
willingly, perhaps half the good
would be lost"
Lefty stayed rather late that night
later than she usually did or cared to
do then; but Mrs. Lennard had been
put on her hat and cloak, and the doc
tor rose to see her home, his wife
seemed AS if she would have stayed
him just at the last; but she said
nothing, and he went.
Their shortest road was across the
sands, and tonight, with the moon
shining, and the sea calm and as
smooth as sheeted silver, it was the
pleasantest also.
A still night, with a sultry breeze
blowing from the land that scarcely
famed the cheek as it went by.
Lefty was shy and quiet; his
thoughts busy with the past, the doc
tor was IN no talking mood, and the
greater part of the walk was accom-
plished in silence. Once, as they left
the sea behind them. and turned into
the narrow, sbadowy lane that led to
Letty's home, she thought she heard
a cry, half gasp, half sob, as from
some injured animal, and she stopped
and listened. DR.. Lennard asked what
it was, and she told him.
ut is the wind that is rising" he
said. See the clouds that are bank
ing up over there! We shall have a
storm tonight
Still the girl stood and listened, her
healthy cheek blanching with a terror
to which she could give no name; and
again, further away this time, but
still distinct, the long-drawn breath
broke the Stiffness This time tnp