The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-05-02

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| ~ SsS0 ~ Vs>bsst slesp was al
Vays Q vsa1R - ~ Champion.
A. for Louise. shs lay In condition
ef stupor through the day and the fol-
lowing night When occasionally she
/ reused at stuart's calling her name
abe seemed to know him. but did moi
express surprise 1t being back in her
cid home. Gradually the truth grew
upon Stuart and Rhena that nearly
ne entire. period Of Louise's hfe since
her marriage was q blank to her. She
would lie for hours silent and without
expression in her great eyes, which
were still beautiful. although her once
lovely face had grown old and hag.
gard. When she spoke, it was with
the fretful. complaining voice she had
used when Stuart had angered her.
To his great surprise and relief, she did
not appear to dislike Rhena. She &C.
cepted her gentle. loving nursing as a
matter Of course. neither showing graf
itude nor expressing resentment. She
grew feebler and more exacting In her
demands, SO that Rhena had her pow
ers taxed to the utmost In providing
for her many wants. She asked con-
stantly for the most expensive and
dificult articles Of food to be prepared,
demanded costly flowers for the deco
ration Of the room and was continual
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. a 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 q 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 q whim 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 little changing
they were made to At Louise. who. al
though she was able to sit up only
few hours. took the most pitiably child
ish delight In putting on all this fnery.
with Rhena's help. and then. with a
hand mirror constantly within reach.
commenting ON her appearance with
the greatest sagerness.
One day Rhena slipped away from
her while she was busy In this manner.
and ~ she was going into the library
Stuart came in from the drawing room.
He had been down experimenting the
new building.
"oh, Stuart. Stuart" Rhena almost
sobbed ~ she closed the door 20 that
Louise could not hear. 1T IL so horrible!
1t seems 20 like-so like clothing Death
itself In tinsel and glitter. Oh, the
mockery Of It makes my heart ache!
II 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, dearT Stuart asked,
taking her in his arms to comfort her
a. he remembered how faithful she
had been to her great trust In caring
for his sister.
"Only-the end II not far OF. fear.
She Is wasting away like the snow on
the hills In spring"
Stuart groaned. II have seen It,
dear. The doctor has done all he can.
he gives no hope" He was silent.
Then be spoke with calm strength.
" am going down to New York. and
I 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 ind vaspiaine have fail.
ed. The family knows nothing of him.
I must 60 down anyway to see after
some necessary materials for the build.
ing. will be back inside Of q week."
So that was the way Stuart came to
be In New York Just before Aunt Royal
had planned to pack her trunks and 60
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
1t 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