The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-11-13
CHAPTER XIX.

see her into a through carriage for the
north. and am glad to say she accomplish
ed her journey safely.
Now for Mrs. Merton How was l to
get that confession from her? 1t was alb
solutely necessary I should know some
thing Of her character first. / must es-
tablish myself on a footing Of friendship
with her. l began operations through the
schoolboy. Acquaintance with lad like
this is easily made. \ few remarks about
the noble game of cricket; morning
practice together with bat and ball; an IN
yitation to see my books and other few
belongings, and we were like old friends.
One morning l met Charley Merton in
the road. He looked rather sulky and
downcast; So | asked him what was
amiss.
Mothers been scolding me. She says
l ought to tag at Latin and Greek during
the holidays. She is going to get some
one to coach me-
An idea struck me. l saw way Of es-
tablishing friendly relations with my OPP
posite neighbor.
Would you like me to come and coach
you. Charley:"
You, Mr.. Norris? Why, you're a gen
tleman."
Don you want gentleman!
Yes stammercd the boy. But we
want some poor sort of Il chap, who won't
mind small pay
Il don't mind small pay. l shall see
your mother about it. Come in with me
now"
The boy preceded me, looking timd and
puzzled. He showed me into sitting
;,, lar
In few minutes she appeared and babe
me a stiff and rather embarrassed good
morning.
Il daresay your boy has told you why
| have called:" | said.
He told me something but | could
scarcely understand him"
Il hear you want 4 tutor for him. l
have come to offer my services"
She hcsitatcd 'Ycu are a stranger"
she said.
Yes, to you; but not to Latin and
Greek. | took a high degree at Oxford.
| am quite competent to teach q lad
But | can afford to pay so little"
'Never mind that. Mrs. Merton: money
need not enter into the discussion. l
have taken an interest in the boy; SO,
unless you positively object to the ar
1
She said no more. except by way of
thanks, so the next morning went across
the road and began playing my new part
of a tutor to youth. The ice being broll-
en- between Mrs Merton and myself, it
was not long before | made opportunities
for closer intercourse. Indeed, before Il
week vas out | was spending the evening
at the opposite house, and that evening
was the first of many.
One night | was undressing myself, and
now and again Glancing across the road.
My window was wide open, and the vcne-
tian blind turned so that | could see
through it without obstruction. Mrs.
Ncrton's lamp was burning brilliantly.
Il wonder what the woman is doing ut
such 4 time said 10 myself: and wished
| could look through that white blind
which covered her window. Presently
| saw her shadow; she must have moved
the lamp to the back Of the -oom Sud
denly the light appeared to grow ten times
more brilliant Before | had time to
think what had occurred, | heard a pierre
ing shrIck-thc blind was torn down from
the window and saw Mrs Merton stand
ing there cnycloped in flames. The look
of terror on her face froze my blood.
Quickly throwing on my coat, | ran down
stairs. and i'll few moments was at Mrs
Mcrton's door. 1t was opened suddenly.
and young Merton, with very little clothes
upon him, rushed out. nearly overturnng
NE. My mother! The doctorr' | heard
him gasp as he passed, and ran wildly
up the road. | entered the house. and,
closing the door behind me, went upstairs
y fearful sight met my eyes.
Mrs. Merton was lying on the floor
writing in agony like worm beneath
the heel. Her body from the waist down
ward was only covered by mass of char
red, half-burncd garments The arms
were bare, the sleeves of her dress having
apparently been burned off, and her hands
and arms were pitifully scorched, no
doubt in her efforts to extingulsh the
flames. Her daughter, half-distractcd.
was knceling beside her, and the servant
was wringing her hands and almost STUPID
with fright.
lifted the poor wretch. and. carrying
her as tendcrly as | could to her room,
laid her on her own bed.
We could but wait and hope that the
doctor would arrive. He came at last,
and rs he examined his patient shook his
a
long H. there was any service | could rem
der to the poor people; then | went across
To my own quarters.
Mrs Merton fingered on for several
days. The doctor held out little hope, 81
DO not think she can recover" was his
constant opinion. | was regular with my
inquiries At the house. and, really plying
the distress of the boy and girl. hepgod
u, u 8
wished. | ardently longed for Il few min
uteS' talk with the dying w0man-per-
hapS, with the fear of death before her
she might consent to tell all She knew.
smiled as | thought of how many destinies
might be changed by few words from
her ips-Lady Estmcrc's Sir Laurence
EStmcrc'S. Valentines, and. in lesser
degree my fathers, Claudiue's and minc
| grew more and more anxious as the DAYS
passed by and the doctor still shook his
head
One morning. before the doctors visit
young Merton told me that he believed his
mother was hctter-thc pain had almost
left her. But when | saw the doctor he
had another tale to tell.
Its only Il question of hours now with
the poor woman" he said
| was acha>t. | felt that | must take
immediate steps To obtain an interview
with Mrs. Merton or all my trouble would
be Of no avail. Tomorrow. even this af-
tcrn"on. I2iGht he too late. | must see
her ut once. | was. however, spared any
difficulty, shortly after the doctor left
me, Charley Merton crossed the road; his
eyes We're red with weeping
If YOU please. Mr.. Norris" he said.
mother would be glad to say few words
To You before She dies
l followed the boy to his home. fully
assured that | should leave It with my
Selt-imposcd mission accomplished.
CHAPTER MI.