Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-15

STUART came Ill from the drawing room. |
He had been down experimenting the !
new building.
ooh, Stuart, Stuart" Rhena almost
sobbed rs she closed the door SO that
Louise could not hear, at is SO horrible!
1t seems so like-so like clothing Death
itself in tinsel and glitter. Oh, the
of it makes my heart ache!
If we only knew more Of the real
cause of .Louise's trouble, we might
know how to bring her back to reasoni
Only
"Only what, dear2" Stuart asked,
taking her in his arms to comfort her
as he remembered how faithful she
had been to her great trust in caring
for his sister.
"Only-the end is not far off, 1 fear.
She is wasting away like the snow on
the hills in spring."
Stuart groaned. II have seen 1t,
dear. The doctor has done all he can.
He gives no hope" He was silent.
Then he spoke with calm strength.
81 am going down to New York, and
1 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 yasplaine have fail
ed. The family knows nothing Of him.
l must go down anyway to see after
some necessary materials for the build
ing. will be back inside Of a 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 rs
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 oil 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
VINO have made their money by invest
ing in tenement and saloon property.
"This is IN unexpected pleasure, Stu
art, am sure" said Aunt Royal in her
usual polite, gentle voice.
"You know what am here for,
aunt?" Stuart asked, coming to the
point at once.
"No; don't know that do. 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 to
learn the truth about Louise. Tell me
all you know about 1t. It may help to
restore her reason before she dies. For
Gods sake, aunt, II. you know what I
ought to know, let me have it."
Aunt Royals face paled just a .trifle.
"Restore her reason7"
yes" replied Stuart with some
sternness of tone, "her reason. She is
out Of her mind. Her memory of events
since her marriage is 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 as. he caught the ex-
preston on Aunt Royals face. He
was not looking ut her, but at her re-
Election in the large chevnl glass. And
1t was the reflection Of m absolutely
selfish and heartless enjoyment of So
cial standing, unrutiied by the coarse
II OF n mis- nd oC Df n ,ivorp
humanity.
Aunt Royals voice came to his ears
with its usual placid smoothness.
Louise left me on her wedding tour
Immediately after her marriage. They
went south and then took trip out
west. When they returned, they took
rooms in the Avenue hotel. saw them
often, but not intimately. Yasplaine
had begun to drink. There was trou-
BILE, of course. But when he finally
left her was as much surprised as
any one"
She paused suddenly, and Stuart was
silent. The great gilt clock on the mar
bic mnntel dropped a silver ball into a
bowl, and Aunt Royal turned her head
i lOWuId SluGtlI SUI lOOheO
at her reflection in the mirror.
"When did Louise leave New York
for Champions" he finally asked.
i II don't know anything about It," re-
piled Aunt Royal, with the first mark
i of Irritation she had shown.
''Do you mean to say, aunt, that after
Vaspiaines desertion Of her, Louise
never came near your asked Stuart
turning full upon her and looking into
her face almost as resolutcly as If he
really knew the facts.
Again Aunt Royals face paled. She
could not control her blood, even after
SO many years of artificial repose. II
the exercise Of society manners.
Il tell you did not see her after
Vasplaines disgraceful desertion OF
her, He turned out to be a gambler and
a dissipated fool OF the worst sort and
flung Louise's property and money
away like mailman. don't know
where he Is now"
II have not asked about him." said
Stuart dryly; II am anxious for Lou
ise."
He remained a moment more in silent
thought. He could not help believing
that this woman had not told Tie truth
but he was powerless to prove his be
lief. At last he found his heart sc
sick at the thought that he longed te
escape from the house.
'sYou will stay to lunch p. Aunt Royal
asked politely as he rose and moved
to go.
mo. I thank you." replied Stuart
quietly. II must start back to Cham
pion this afternoon"
II hope poor Louise will recover"
she said, and was about to add some
thing more, when one Of: the servants
came into the hall aud announced an
important message Mt the telephone
from some one connected with Aunt
Royals proposed summer tour.
"Excuse me while answer this. I
will let you see yourself outp' she ex-
II.