Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-11-14


REST there, my daughter" she said
tenderly; my poor darling"
Then, still clasping her in her arms,
the elder woman moved to the chair,
and placed Alice in it.
3You are stronger today" she said
-'strong enough, I think, to hear
all I have to say?"
'"Tell me quickly-is anything
wrong = is there more trouble?''
Alice's pale cheeks flushed.
mo more trouble, dear. l trust no
thing but happiness. See, [ am going
to sit beside you and chat a while
Davis, you may go, but don't be far
away. I shall ring presently
Alice gazed at Lady DarrelPs face
most anxiously.
"Now, my dear child, will tell you
all. First let all fear and dread pass
from your mind The man who did
YOU so great a wrong is separated
from your path forever. The murder
of that poor girl and your own suf-
ferings have been avenged"
'She died, them" breathed Alice
family. "And she was so good to
me-"
"I was with her when she died, and
I hope and think her end was peace
She had been cruelty treated, but her
nature was pure through it all. We
will not wish her back again, for life,
as she found it, had been very bitter. .
Lady Darrell paused an instant.
when you were found delirious in
the inn, at first they feared to move
you, but after a while the doctors
opinioned that your recovery would
be more certain if you were brought
my child. This is a farm few miles
out of town, which, [ dare say, you
cannot remember"
NO." answered Alice; sit is all
like a hideous dream"
''Ah, well, it is gone! And now,
dear, let us go back further. Do you
remember when | asked you once If
you could recall nolu4ng of your child
hood, you said you had faint recol-
lection of a sweet face?"
''Yes-yes.
''That face was your mothers. Let
me finish my surprise at once. You
are the child of Fulke and Margaret
Durant. Your parents are dead, but
your grandfather, Sir Humphrey Du-
rant is outside tnis door, waiting to
clasp you to his heart"
Alice rose, her face white even to
the lips.
my grandfather" she repeated.
But Aunt Martha"
"Was no relation. Sir Humphrey
is your dead fathers father. You are
the dearest creature in the world to
him. I will call him.
Lady Darrell moved to the door,
and Alice saw enter tall stately man,
whose dark eyes beamed with love,
whose trembling hands were out
stretched to catch hers.
my child-my poor boys child
found at last!"
Sir Humphrey pressed the girl to
his heart, tears in his eyes.
LET me look at you, my fiower-my
star-come to brighten my old life.
Merciful powers! how like
"She resembles poor Fulke?" Lady
Darrell asked gently.
'More. She is the living image of
my precious wife-Fulke's mother.
See, you knew the Arnolds well? Is
not that the Arnold face?'"'
Alice looked up, and she remem-
bered Lord Radine's words to her
that miserable day of the ride to the
abbey.
She bent her fresh lips to Sir Hum
phrey's hand and kissed it.
ST have known no father or mother
till now" she murmured. II will
love you as both"
Then, as the old man kissed her
fondly, she turned to the earl's mo-
Their.
"And you too,' she said simply.
"And now you must rest awhile,
Lady Darrell said affectionately.
'fWait an instant" broke in Sir
Humphrey, "My darling, is there nc
one else you would like to see?"
A wave of color dyed Alice's lovely
face. She drew herself away and
turned to the window.
| mere is no one VINO WOulu care &c
see me-" she replied.
Sir Humphrey and Lady Darrell ex-
changed chances, and, in answer to a
sign he made, the lady went slowly
from the room.
"Well, my darling" Sir Humphrey
said tenderly, II will leave now
When you are rested I will come back
and then you shall hear how a Mr.
Meredith helped us to find you, and
how many friends you have that you
know nothing Of
Alice kissed him, and he left he1
silung in her chair, feeling strangely
happy and proud in the knowledge oil
her illustrious birth and new-found
relative, yet with a sense of heaviness
and depression that she could not push
aside.
Presently Davis came in while she
was sitting thus.
''You know all, my lady, she sale
lightly. "Ah, what did I always say;