Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-01-02
CHAPTER XVII.

III iU HIS eyes.
CHAPTER XVII.
Lady Renton takes an early opportunity
10 call at Carronby House. but before she
secs the Earl she asks for Lady Mount
carron. and Gladys maid Is summoned
TO give an account of her mistress.
Her ladyship Is very poorly-very
poorly. indccd-and has been so for the
last three days. She is lying down In her
boudoir. but Of course shc will see So
ladyship. if your lndyship will pie 10
walk up"
"She must have advice" rci.' .:linor.
dccisivcly. "and II II for that reason l am
here to-day. Parsons. Lady Mountcarron
will be an invalid for life IL she is not
more careful. l intend to speak TO the
Earl about It,"
"Ah! his lordship II the proper person
to see after her. and I've said so from
the very first; but. my lady. l hope you'll
forgive my frecdom-perhaps. ns u scr.
want II isn't my place to speak: but still,
| we have our eyes and our ears. and there
| nre some things ns no doctor can cure
II you could only hear that sweet soul
ut night. my lady-sincc she's been took
with these faints I've slept In her dress.
ing.room to be ut hand when required.
and many nm hour I've laid awake listen.
Ing to her sobbing. which Is fit TO melt
heart OF stone, poor. sweet. young thing"
concludes Parsons. with her handkerchief
| TO her eyes.
Lady Rcnton II very much shocked
when she encounters Gladys. The girl
seems 10 have shrunk to huff her size
since their last meeting. Her eyes are
surrounded by deep violet rings. and her
face IL white as the dressing.gown In
which she lies upon the sofn. She smiles
family rs Elinor enters the room. but the
tears stand on her checks as she does 40.
"Why. my dear child. how Is this!" OK.
claims Lady Renion. chccrily. and fcgn-
Ing not to see her emotion. "Why do !
find you on the sofa! Are you In such
pain. dear GladysT
''Sonictincs, not always: but I am no
weak. ElinOr. don't want TO get up"
"fOu must have advice at once. Gladys.
I have come over to speak to Mountcar-
ron about IT,"
''Do you think Il will be Of any usc?"
"Any Use. you silly girl! Why, you
don't fancy you IRE dying do you? You
are II little tougher than you give our
self credit for. You have Ovcrfatigucd
yourself. Gladys--,!anced nnd ridden
when you ought Ia have been resting.
aud you have strained some muscle IN
the back. Tones and rest are all you
require. dear. When the doctor has given
his orders. we must see that you attend
TO them, aud We shall soon have YOU
| yourself again."
"Tonics aud rest will never cure mo-"
says Gladys. turning her face away.
"My dear girl" replies llinor. laying
her hand upon Gladys. II know that they
cannot cure the Ills Of life: but II they
restore your bodily health. they will Civ.
you more strength TO bear them bravcly,
and M Christian woman should. We
all have our troubles, Gladys. Look at
me! I married u man who was devoted
to me. and ! lost him five years after
ward. My life has been very blank To M.
since then. Were II not for Jennie and
my little Hugh It would 10 empty: but
have to live ON IND bear II. We all
have"
"But J." says Gladys. with trcm.
bling lip--"I-have nothing"
"Oh. yes. you have. darling! You hav.
your dear parents. who love you so dear.
~. and your sister. Mrs. Prendergast.
And ! dare say. that. by and by. Gladys.
God will send you u nearer and denrer
comfort. In a child Of your own. that will
console you for everything. rs my little
Hugh has consOled mi"
"Oh. no. no.! cries Gladys. shuddcring.
II don't want II. will not have II! Any.
thing hut that! am far better as am,
alone"
"Oh. Gladys. don't say that. dear! You
do not know.-you cannot tell-the bless.
Ing II little child might bring to YOU"
"Ncvcr MS | am now, Elinor. Don't
speak of It. You do not know me! You
cannot guess my thoughts. II You did,
perhaps you would not bc sitting here
now"
"Thc more unhappy yon nrc. dear child,
the more need you have of my presence
and my sympathy. Don't turn from me-
Gladys. would gladly Tighten your bur.
den. II could"
"rhere is no cure'for my pain" says
Lady Mountcarron. sadly. II have
brought 1t on myself. must bear 1t by
myself. and Ms well as ! can"
"YOu must have more company" re-
turns Lady Itcntou. cheerfully. "yOu are
. moping too much. shut up IN this dull
, room alone. Could not your sister, Mrs
Prendergast. come to you for few
weeks. till you are strong again"
Il baby of u few days old"
"Thcn your father and mother. They
certainly ought to be- appraised of your
condition"
, "Oh, no. no!' cries Gladys. fevcrishly
"don't tell my dad, whatever y0u do
, He would be 80 unhappy to see me like
, this. His life IL sad enough as II IL. and
he thinks SO much Of me. And he warned
mo. he warned me 40 aEniuSt this mur
. riage," she continues. wildly, che said
= didn't love Monutcarron. he begged N,
!, to consider. he told me---"
i "rhere--there. hush, dear" interpose'
y Lady Renton. fearful of the effect thai
i. excitement may have on Gladys weaken
D ed condition. Don't talk of that now.
D know--of course | cannot help seems
: that your marriage is not entirely q
, happy or sympathetic one, but things
: may come right yet. Gladys, and we can
I not make them better by discussion. Try
u and calm yourself. dear! Tho very frs
J. thing to be done Is TO procure proper med