Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-11-11
p v.

AFTERNOON streaming IN ut her WlndtsW.
rs It my birthday she asked simply.
."Nhy didn't we go to Langsdale Abbey!
And then, sitting mp in her bed. very
weak anl white and wan. she strctcned
ont her tremulous hands aud asked:
"Where is my watch!"
"IIerc, darling" answered Betsy. lax
Ing d little morocco case from the dress
Ing table, delighted to be able to gratify
her patient. Where's your pretty watch.
Oh. my isn't it u pretty one! And amt
you lucky to have q watch. just tlke a
grOwn-up young lady,
The weak little hands wavered as they
t0ok the watch. the exhausted frames sank
helpless on the bed, but the child held the
watch before her eyes all the time, ana
he ~trc.nulous fingers cOntrived TO open
TIL case.
Tread it, she said, family; and Betsy
spelled out the inscription, ITO Stella.
from her adopted father, Lashmar." "Oh.
Isn't it beautiful" exclaimed Betsy,
then she began to cry.
'.Shodsh. dear" she murmured. patting
Stelln's shoulder. Ego to sleep. my pet, TIL
the doctor comes to see you. Let BETSY
put the lIetty watch under your pillow
II don't want to sleep any more; want
10 ret ND and be dressed; you know It's
ny birthday and I am to be all day with
Lord I~,shmar. How late the sunshine
~looks-like afternoon. Have | oversight
myseifY'
.You have been very III. very iii. dear
answered Betsy in 4 soothing, preachy-
preachv tone, which il peculiarly exasper-
sting to an intellectual child. you are
much too weak to get up
ssBut it's my birthday" urged Stella,
.and I I'm, to dine with his lordship."
my poor pet. your birthday was ten
days ngo, a week before the funeral" an
Z ewered Betsy.
The word was spoken unawares. The
awe-inspiring. much-discussed event OF
the funernl-a stately and imposing cere-
monial, including all the dismal grandeur
~ the sid school and all the floral decora-
tons OF the new-had been in e~verybody's
mouth at Lsashmar Castle for the last six
days. II was the standard BY which time
wa reckOned.
..What funeraI?!'. cried Stella. starting
IN in her bed with a scared look. "Who
Il dead! Not Mr.. Werner? Oh, he was
- good to me. He is not dend, is heT
no. dear. no: Mr.. Vernon il quite well.
He wasn't hurt Mt all, poor. dear gentle
man." answered Betsy, assuming cheer
fulness amidst her tears. You were
hurt. my q precious. You fell on your
dear little head"
Stella gave q scream and flung her arms
round Retsy's neck. Memory returned in
fash.
.sThc horses!!' she cried: t'yes. l remem-
her. Oh! those dreadful horses. Lord
Lashmsi drove SO well; but l thought we
were going to be killed. He was not
hurt. wins her Ask him to come to me: l
wasn't 70 see Lord Lashmar. directly. di-
r~ectly..
..Lord Lashmar Is out. love-" said the
frightened Betsy: Lord Lashmar has
gone to Brumm for the day. IN particular
business"
It wal true. Betsy felt she had salts
fed her charge and snved her soul from,
the burden OF u lie. 1t was literal truth
which she had spoken and vet for Stella
II was not the truth; for Stella it was a
miserable, hooking lie.
She was not satisfied. hut lay back up-
son her pillow too exhausted to struggle.
She 10y moaning, II want to see Lord
Lashmnr. When will he be back? Oh!
when, y;Len, when?"
She s0hbed herself into a feverish, rest
less slunber; and she was delirious again
that nisht. From this condition she was
! aroused by the 'howiing Of 4 summer
storm ii the great oaks. and the shar;
I rattle 0f the rain against the easement.
This time Betsy was not at hand to be
questioned. Stella looked about the room
wondcrihgly, eIowly coming back from
draamiaAd,aa sIowly recognizing the facts
OF the external world.
The door leading into the sitting room
was half open. and there were people
talking; she had heard their yt0aoe6t amidst
the rattle OF the rain and the buster OF
the storm.
ssShalI you send her away?" asked q
manly yoice. rich and full. a voice thai
was not altogether unfamiliar. 1t was
like her tenefactor's, bnt.~ stronger. fuller
s.No, . shall keep her here. I conside,
that d sacred duty, for poor Hubert.
sake. Kut I shall try to repair his SAT
mistake in the manner OF rearing her.
shall bring her up as a child OF the lowe,
Classes ought to be brought up. shall
train her to be usefuL : breadwinnei
a.nong other bread winners"
Tao mclI did Stella know this seconl
voice. c:'h6se were the sonOr0us tones 81
that terrible parsonage whom she had me-
from time to time In the corridors 0r il
the garaeuA, and who had always scowle<
It Nj snnd paused her by ii naughty ii
II lence. She knew the face and figure t,
which The voice belonged, the tall ant
stately form, the strongly marked brow
and aquhine nose.
1sRathcr rough upon her, 0 fttl'
wretch, after HAVING been % pampered.'
ssThAt Is poor Huberts FAULT, not mine.'