Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-09-23
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Continued.

something almost plt5Iul III INC ueFo-
ton of the child to her father. The
blow. when it did fall was therefore all
the more terrible to her. For there
came a day. bright and sunny, full OF
perfume and sweetness and song,
when Sir Charles ROoden left home IN
the morning with laughing testing
words on his lips and was carried
back in the evening dead
1t was a bright May morning when
he started. All the hawthorn-trees III
the park were in full bloom, and the
luscious perfume of may and lilac
filled the air. The tresses OF the
golden laburnum waved in the gentle
breeze, the giant trees were unfold
ing their pale-green buds to the genlal
warmth of the sun, and the birds were
. caroling a welcome to returning spring.
I,ody Rooden walked with her husband
as far as the end of the drive. There
the groom stood holding his horse;
and Angela clinging to her fathers
hand, begged that either she might go
with him or that he would stay at
home.
you do not know, papa, she said,
what a different house this is When
you are out of it. )"
'eBut," he reminded her laughlngly,
"'you have your mamma"
Eyes; you are the sun, and she IS
the moon"
Sir Charles laughed again.
GA poets comparison" he said. 1
shall not be long, Angela. want to
ride little way down by the river, for
! am told that one of the bridges down
Over the Lier is not safe; must go and
ascertain what is necessary to bedone
You shall ride with me this after
noon"
He kissed his wifes smiling face;
he elasped his lovely little daughter In
his arms and babe her good morning"
and then rode away.
Lady Rooden waited with anxious
surprise for the return Of her husband.
He was the embodiment of punctual1ty,
and for him to fail in any appointment
WAS most unusual. When he rode out,
he said that he should be home for
luncheon at two; but two o'clock came
without bringing the master of Rood
Abbey. Three, four and five struck,
and still he came not. Then Lady
Rooden grew anxious At first she per-
suaded herself that he had met with
friends. and had ridden on with them,
although it was unlike him to do that
without sending word to her; but as
Inv ch "a
ana more uneasy.
Angel she said to the child, chow
late papa isl Let us go to the western
terrace and watch for him."
Mother and child stood leaning over
the stone balustrade, looking down the
drive-the fine avenue of chestnuts,
with the yellow river in the distance.
sT cannot see him, mamma said the
child.
And Lady Rooden, shading her eyes
from the sun with her white hand, re-
marked:
There is something wrong down by
the river Angel, I can see a crowd Of
men"
perhaps the bridge has given way
and papa is telling them what to do.
He would see what ought to be done.
The evening was fair as the morning.
The wind stirred the lilacs and the
long laburnum-tresses gently in the
garden below; nature seemed to be re-
posing in the peaceful calm that had
settled over all.
'I wonder what it is, Angelo" said
lady Rooden. "The crowd seems to be
moving and coming in this direction.
They are carrying something. What
cen it be?''
& do not see papa" said the child,
whom nothing else interested; and
they grew silent as the tall trees and
the winding of the river hid the crowd
from their view.
Il wish papa would comet" cried the
child, and presently, and then, after
few minutes, there was sound OF
tramping footsteps of hurried, hushed
voices, and the old butler came hastily
on to the terrace.
my lady, my lady, come in quickly"
ne cried do not look toward the
river! Come I'M"
What is it, Jarvis?" she asked.
can accident, my lady" he replied.
pray come in"
What is the matter?" she demanded
on re-entering the room. What does
that noise mean? What is it?"
ooh, my lady" exclaimed the agitat-
ed old man, 81 wish I were dead, in
stead of living to say such words to
vau! There has been an accident,
and my master IS
"What?'' she gasped, her face grow
ing white and rigid.
"cWhat?'' cried the child, who had
followed them. 'What has been done
to papa? Where is he?"
HE was found in the river, my
LADY," Jarvis replied, wringing his
lhamds
I'm the river? Found in the river,
do you say? Then he is dead!"