Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-28
CHAPTER XXXII.


in the world than Agatha Lynne's on
| that evening as she listened to the
story of Allan's love. She had always
liked him; there had been a time when
she had preferred her cousin, Lord
! Lynne; but he had not loved her, and
she was not the girl to waste her life
! in vain sorrow and regret. When
| Philips image faded, Allan's took it's
place. She had cared for no one in
London, because she felt that he loved
her, and she liked him better than any
one else.
There was a deep sense of happiness
in her gentle heart; there was no.
thing to fear. She knew that Philip
and Inez would like her to marry
Allan; she would live near them, and
they would be one happy family. She
lay down to sleep with a quiet smile
upon her lips, her face wearing the
glad look of little child.
How long she had slept Agatha did
not know; the morning light shone
gray and dim in her room when she
was aroused by some one trying the
handle of her door.
who is there?" she cried, wonder
ing who could want her at that I'M
usual hour Of the night.
'''Let me in, Agatha" said her sister;
81 want to speak to you"
In a moment the door was I'M
fastened, and the sisters stood face to
face.
''Inez, dearest, what is the matter?"
cried Agatha. She was stupefed at
Lady Lynne's appearance. Her face
was white, her lips drawn, and her
hair hung over her shoulders.
Il have been i'll all night, Agatha"
replied Inez. 81 am going to sleep now;
but I wanted to see you first. See,"
she continued, drawing from beneath
her dressing-goWn a packet of papers,
Il have brought you this. l know you
always keep your word, Agatha Will
you promise me that in the morning
between seven and eight o'clock, you
will read it?"
q will read it now, if you like"
said Agatha, gently.
No; that will not do" said Inez.
promise me that you will sleep with
it under your pillow, that you will
read it at the time l mention, and that
the moment you have read it you will,
before you leave your room, destroy
it. Promise me, or I shall not Sleep"
Then [ promise you faithfully"
said Agatha, willing to humor what
she believed to be sick fancy. place
it there with your own hands, dear,
and [ will not touch it until seven
O'Clock. 1t is just three now, she
said, looking at her watch.
Lady Lynne placed the papers be-
meath the pill =, and then she knelt
by her sisters bedside.
Agatha, darling" she said, life
would have been very different for
us both, if years ago I had come home
to my fathers house. But you love
known me long?"
And if | have ever been unkind, or
cold, or cruel to you, you will forgive
me?' continued Inez. Il shall sleep
better, dear, if you will kiss me and
tell me So
the stately figure of her sister; she
drew the white beautiful face down to
hers, and kissed it again and again.
Il have asked you something in this
letter, Agatha" said Inez. Promise
ne you will do it,
Il promise you, dear" replied
Agatha; "and now try to sleep. You
| frio
Once more Lady Lynne kissed the
sweet face with its golden hair; then,
with gentle, noiseless step, she re-
turned to her own room.
Yes" she said to herself, 81 shall
sleep we'll. I wonder if all sin brings
it's own punishment, as mine has
done"
She did not look this time at the
mirror; had she done so, the white
face, with its awful look, would have
alarmed her.
Once more she went to the window,
and looked her last on the blue sky
and the fair earth.
Farewell life, beauty, hope, and
love!" she murmured.
Then came to her. as she stood there,
a vivid recollection Of BERTHE Bohun;
she saw again the brave young face,
and heard the earnest voice. She re-
membered his words-"If ever you are
in trouble, or want friend, send for
me-"
She wondered, with dull kind OF
wonder, if he could help her; but no
the web was woven tightly round her
and there was no escape.
His last recollection Of me shall be
a pleasant one" she said, drawing
the folds Of her dressing-gown around
her "Oh mother, mother" she
murmured the mother whom
never saw or knew-if you had taker
me with you, I should not have beer
, left to die alone"
: In the clear, calm stiffness Of th'
bright Italian night she laid hersel
= down upon the bed she was never NOR
Y to leave The rich masses Of her hal
r fell over her shoulders,-a few tears
I so burning that they seemed to scorcl
e her face, ran down her cheeks, tn
s last poor Inez would ever shed.
i The hand that raised the fata
S phfal to her lips never faltered; some
# thing like prayer, a wild cry 70
/, mercy, escaped her, then the nerveles
n hand fell down, and Inez, Lady Lynn
l, Slept welI' at last.
e Agatha wondered for some ittl
e time over her sisters strange visi