Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-14
CHAPTER VI.



boundless, and wOndrOusly fair to the
eye. The lark, with it's songs OF
praise was soaring heayenward. The !
leaves stirred lazily in the southwest
wind Over the dusky woods and
emerald valleys streamed the binding, /
golden sunlight, turning the river to
molten silver and the lingering dew
drops to the sembance Of precious
stones.
On the broad paved walk i'm front
of Oldfriars, in the cool shade Of ITS
venerable wallis, paced Alicia Penrth,
watching for THE arrival of Dr. Dixie,
from StilbOrOugh. A note brought to
her from Mr.. Merryweather that
morning had told her to expect the
physician at eleven. 1t was now the
quarter of the hour. Lady Penrith
herself was too weak to rise, and was
lying in a kind of stupOr in her cham
Der upstairs. Mrs. Ounce was with
her mistress, as nurse, in Alicia alb
sence.
"He is long in coming, this DR.
Dixie" sighed the girl, restlesSly, lift
ing her hand to shield her eyes from
the sunli CHIT. "What, | wonder, will
he tell me before he goes? Shall |
be free tomorrow-the day after-the
day after that? Free, but alone!
Neither the sun nor DEATH says
Rochefoucauld, can be looked at with
out winkihg;' and both are at Old
friarS now How sad it must be to
die at a time when the world is so
fair!"
The vigil of the past night had left
its traces on the girls face; dark, pur-
pie shadows were visible beneath her
eyes; the sweet, penSiVe mouth looked
even sadder than it was wont to do.
When the famous DR.. Dixie arrived
by and by, his keen, professional eye
was struck by two things in Alicia
the girls pale, sad beauty and her
fragile appearance. He would not be
surprised, he Thought just then, if he
were shortly to find a patient in
Alicia Penrith herself.
She begged him to see her grand
mother without delay, and at once led
the way up the great oak staircase.
He followed her silently until they
came to the door of the sick-room.
Il will see her ladyship alone, if
YOU please" mUIrmured the man OF
physic then, with his fine bland smile
SO Alicia went down again and sat
in the cool, dim library, where wan
dering sunbeam athWart the painted
windows was splashing the carpetleSs
floor with the gorgeous crest of thc
PenrithS
1t seemed to Alicia that he was alb
sent a long, long while. The house
was still as the grave. What would
the verdict be?
Presently she heard his careful
tread, and stole out of the library tC
meet him. Her face was marble
white, almost haggard her tongue
seemed to cleave to the roof of heI
mouth
''Yes?" was all she could articulate
The physician laid his hand kindly
upon her shoulder as they stood there
together in the hall.
Can YOU bear a shock, Miss Pen
rith?" he said.
IL do not think it will he {
shock" fa,tered Alicia; 81 have beer
expecting it. I can be brave, believe
me. Oh! end my suspense, DOcto
Dixie" she cried.
Lady Per-ith," said DR.. Dixie, ''it
dying-dying slowly. There is-a--
what we term a general decay of ma
aure-a gradual breaking up of wha
has been, for a woman, a remarkabl!
strong constitution. BY the by, m!
dear Young lady, let me remind VOL
that you have a most excellent nurSt
in your domestic, Mrs. Ounce"
Alicia scarcely heard the DEPRESSION
'sWould YOU" she said, impresSively
lifting her beautiful earnest eyes t.
the bland countenance of the doctor
'sbe Justified in calling-I- mean IL
saying that-that my dear grand
mother was ON her eathbed?"
''Yns." returned the physician, as
tonfShed a little at Miss Penritht
Kramer. ina >lnrcp as do not thi1l
she viii ever rise from it again"
you really and truly believe,
Alicia said. in the same terribly il
earnest way. that my -ran>Rmothe
Is lying on what must prove event1
ally a bed of dea th?"
Have I not said SOP" answered Or
Dlke, a tribe testify, adding: Il have
left full instructions with Mrs. Ounce
Tomorrow l will call again"
When he was fairly gone Alicia Pen
1Ith returned to the library and seated
herself With a tired air by one of tht
tinted windows. There was 4 tabl
near her and she flung her arms
across it. bnying her bead in then
as She sat there. to mediate on thu
task that lay before he1.
Il lack courage I:ow that the time i
at hand" she muttered; II fee
afraid Yet how grateful-how ver.
grateful I am 10 think that the hou
has come! Oh. the relief-the intens'
relief-wlnel the burden shall be gon,
forever
SO serious. so au-abSorhing were I'll,
thoughts which beset her that she djC
not hear the entrance of Herman
Merrywea thcr-knew not indeed tina
her solitude was invaded until sh,
felt THAT there was someone standin:
by her. She started greatly on be
holding him so close, and tine colo
that was so rare dyed cheek and brow
alike
i