News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-05-22

lIuue nor expressing resentment. hphO
grew feebler and more eXacting inl Der
demands, so that Rhena had her H)w-
ers taxed 70 the utmost in providing
for her many wants. She asked {pn-
stantly for the most expensive nnd
difficult articles of food to be PREPARED,
demanded costly flowers for the d5co-
ration of the room and was contiLnal-
ly begging Stuart to buy her jewels
to wear. He went down town and took
out of the office safe, where they had
been lying ever since his mothers
death, necklace of pearls and another
of diamonds, together with a ruby
bracelet and several turquoise rings.
Ross Duncan had bought these for his
wife when he had been able to say
that he was worth a million dollors,
and the entire value of them would
have kept a dozen families in comfort
all their lives. Mrs. Duncan had not
cared much for these playthings and
had seldom worn them. Ross Duncan
had willed them to Stuart instead of
Louise because of a within he took one
day. He said they were family jewels
and ought to remain with the son of
the house.
Louise seized on these baubles of light
with an eagerness and a love of dis
play that were terrible to Stuart. She
wore first the diamonds and then the
pearls around her small white neck
and finally put them both on, wearing
them together with the bracelet and
the rings. She cried continually for
new dresses, and at last Rhena, at
Stuart's suggestion, brought out some
of Stuart's mothers silk gowns which
had been packed away in a chest in
the attic, and with a little changing
they were made to fit Louise, who, al
though she was able to sit up only q
few hours, took the most pitiably child
ish delight in putting on all this finely,
with Rhena's help, and then, witt a
hand mirror constantly within reach
commenting on her appearance with
the greatest eagerness.
One day Rhena slipped away from
her while she was busy in this manner.
and as she was going into the library
Stuart came in from the drawing room.
He had been down experimenting the
new building.
ooh, Stuart, Stuart" Rhena almost
sobbed as she closed the door so that
Louise could not hear, cit is so horrible!
1t seems so like-so like clothing Death
itself in tinsel and glitter. Oh, the
r1nnnIynpu Of II T11oIyoc hoo rt o0bnt
If we only knew more of the real
cause of Louise's trouble, we might
know how to bring her back to reason!
Only
"Only what, dear" Stuart asked
taking her in his arms to comfort h Ter
as he remembered how faithful she
had been to her great trust in car big
for his sister.
Only the end is not far off, | fdVr
She is wasting away like the snowI pn
the hills in spring"
Stuart groaned. Il have seen lit,
dear The doctor has done all he 81 ~
lie gives no hope" He was sh&ht
Then he spoke with calm strength
Il am going down to New York, and
am going to see Aunt Royal and
probe the thing to the end | have
written her. but had no reply. And all
our efforts to find Vasplaine have fail
ed. The family knows nothing of him.
| must go down anyway to see after
some necessary materials for the build
ing | will be back inside of week"
G., bo opt, -,
be in New York just before Aunt Royal
had planned to pack her trunks and go
abroad for the summer
He was ushered into the great draw
ing room Of the mansion on the avenue
and remained standing by one of the
windows waiting for Aunt Royal to
come down. His heart was heavy as
he thought of Louise. He tried to COM
pose himself for the interview, remem
bering his Christian faith and all that
| it required Of him in all circumstances.
Her entrance was hardly noticed by
him when she finally appeared. Velvet
carpets are made TO deaden the foot
steps of market gardeners daughters
| who have mad& their money by invest.
ing in tenement and saloon property.
This is an unexpected pleasure, Stu
art, am sure" said Aunt Royal in her
usual polite, gentle voice.
"You know what l am here for,
auntY" Stuart asked, coming to the
point at once
"No; don't know that do. l suppose
some business in connection with your
philanthropic schemes in Champion. |
hear the strike is all over. | suppose
the miners have learned sense by their
folly"
"Aunt," said Stuart firmly, ignoring
all she said, 81 have come down here tc
learn the truth about Louise. Tell me
all you know about it. 1t may help to
restore her reason before she dies. For
Gods sake, aunt, if you know what |
sught to know, let me have it."
Aunt Royals face paled just trife.
"Restore her reasonW
yes" replied Stuart, with some
sternness Of tone, "her reason. She is
out of her mind. Her memory of events
since her marriage Is a blank. She
must have received some great shock
OF course we know Vasplaine has de-
serted her. And she is dying. After
all, if''- Stuart paused, and his heart
almost stood still ne he cougbt +ho NJ,