Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-02-15
Observation-Disclosures OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
! Repented at Leisure. /
BERTHA M. CLAY L
EzlEElIGlEIEElE[EIEElIE El[zlIEIEl@llIGl@lGlG

| nor SAD. ECnei went TO Q6r TOOm
and, as far as she could, removed al
trace of tears. She dressed herself
with unusual care; she gave orders
for che needful packing with calm
clear, steady voice, and then sat down
! to await Miss Digby's arrival.
'Henceforward, she said to her
self, L am to be second in my fathers
! house. A stranger takes my mothers
place as well as mine. She will
triumph over me; she will laugh to
think how easily she has deposed me;
but, suffer as 1 may, no sign of my
suffering shall she discover"
When Helen Digby arrived soon
afterward, full of sympathy and kind
ness, ready to give all the attention
and affection that she thought would
be needed, her reception rather
startled her. She would not allow
any one to announce her.
Tell me where Miss Gordon is
she said, "and will go to her,
She walked through the splendid
suite of rooms where one day she was
to reign as mistress. She found
Ethel sitting in one of the light, pretty
balconies that looked on to the ter
race. She went gently to her, and
laid her hand with a quiet. caressing
touch on the girls shoulder.
My dearest Ethel" she said, 20
have FASTENED to you, knowing that
you would be so lonely and unhappy
What can | do to comfort you?"
Her eyes shone brightly through
her tears; her whole face was beauti-
full from its warmth of kindness.
She saw the crimson flush rise on
Ethels brow. She would fain have
kissed her face, but Ethel rose with
quiet dignity, and said, coldly:
"GoodmOrning, Miss Digby; | did
not expect you so soon"
Il feared you might be lonely, Ethel,
and [ fastened to you"
Thank yOu," was the dignifed re-
ply; Il shall feel lonely until papa
returns, and no one can comfort me-"
is there anything l can do to make
you happier-to lessen your sorrow
to make the time pass more cheer
fully?'
Nothing, thank you," was the
chilling reply.
But Miss Digby was not to be
daunted. Some would have turned
from the cold averted face,
and have left Ethel to herself; not so
Helen; she was faithful to her trust.
Il wish, Ethel" she said, that I
had the gift of eloquence. 1 should
like to tell you some of the thoughts
that are passing through my mind
how anxious | am for your happiness
and welfare, how gravely look upon
the precious charge that your father
has intrusted to me, how ready I am
to wait upon you, to render you
every service in my power, by night
or by day-indeed, to devote my time,
my thoughts, all to you"
Z thank YOU" responded Ethel, still
more coldly.
But Miss Digby was not to be re-
pulsed easily; she sat down by
Ethel's side, and would not notice
the girls shrinking from her
Il hope that the plan of going to st.
Inas today pleases you, Ethel" she
said, gently. L suggested it to Sir
Leonard, because | thought the sooner
you left Fountayne the better. Can
do anything to help you to pack or
prepare for the Journey"
1t was hard to resist such kindness,
but the woman who offered it was the
one who intended to usurp her place
in her fathers heart and in his home.
She would have suffered anything
rather than accept it, just as she would
have suffered anything rather than al
low Helen Digby to note her pain.
81 do not wonder that you should
regret leaving Fountayne," said the
gentle voice again. ct is beautiful
place"
Not to Miss Digby would she admit
even the least regret.
Change is always pleasant, be-
lieve." she returned: "Fountayne is
not the only beautiful place in the
world"
She would not say how dearly she
loved it, how perfect she thought it,
nor how for the remainder of her life
a dark cloud would hang over it. 1t
would no longer be her home-sacred
to herself and those she loved; it
would be desecrated by strangers.
spoiled by the new rule and the new
love his father would bring thither
With a wistful smile, Helen Digby
looked at the beautiful, defiant face.
How am I to reach your proud
heart, Ethel?" she inquired. How am
I to soften you and make you believe
in my sincerity"
''I do not see that your sincerity
concerns me-" replied Ethel, haughtily.
do you not think, Miss Digby, that
it is time we began our preparations?
You will pardon me, perhaps, If I
leave you"
It was not anger that flushed the
face of Helen Digby; no feeling Of
anger rose in her heart against the
spoiled child who resented her coming
so greatly; nothing but a profound
sense of pity, which moved her almost
! to tears. Ethel's calmness did not de-
ceive her. She understood perfectly
the sorrow the loneliness, the desc
lation which lay beneath that cold ex-
terror.
IF | could but win her liking" she
thought.
i But it was not to be. Ethel bade
farewell to the servants, who seemed
grieved and distressed at parting with
her. She said farewell to the home
where for SO many years she had beer
beloved and happy. 1t was a bright
afternoon when she left Fountayne:
bo Ia