Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-17

stricken with it, and the child had
| caught the contagion. To add to the
rector's distress, the nurse had fed
| from the house when she discovered
what was the matter; the young house
maid, afraid of losing her good looks,
also left at once, and there was no
one to attend to his darling boy but
| the old hOusekeeper. | read the letter
aloud, and then rose from my chair.
Lady Culmore," | said, will you let
me go to the Rectory? | will nurse
the child; am not afraid, and love
little Willie. He must not want for
care"
All, there was the sans strange
light on her beautiful face that had
remarked before, the same clear UNI
earthly radiance in her eyes!
NO" she replied, 81 will not let
you go, Kate. If it be really malig-
nant smallpox, it is very contagious,
and generally fatal"
A strong arm was thrown around
me; | felt myself drawn close to a
faithful loving heart.
You are not your own to do what
you like with. You are mine, and
forbid you to CO."
| chung to Uric, weeping.
The little child must go to the
little child" / sobbed.
You shall not go near it. he said.
you are mine. There are plenty of
clever trained nurses who can do the
work better than you. | will not let
you risk your life"
We had forgotten the presence of
others; we had forgotten everything
except each other. An astonished cry
from Lady Culmore reused me.
"Ulric! -Kate!" she exclaimed.
My lover raised his dark, handsome,
flushed face.
Il forgot" he said. 81 was going to
tell you this morning. You know
nothing of this. Rudolph, my brother,
Nest"-I noticed, even at that moment,
that he did not say, NEST, my sister"
- love Kate, and she has promised
to be my wife"
The next moment Sir Rudolph had
crossed the room, and, taking me from
Ulric's arm, kissed me.
"a good and charming wife you will
have, Uric" he said; and then a great
sadness came over his face. | Knew
he was thinking of the time when he
had made choice of wife.
Lady GILMORE came up to me hur-
riedly.
Kate, l half guessed it. was sure
you loved some one: have seen such
"a love-light in your eyes. am very
glad it is Uric, for he will be so good
to you"
She threw her arms around me, and,
as she kissed me, heard her sigh
Neither husband nor wife looked at
each other. On Sir Rudolphs face
there was an expression of great re-
lief
Your news Is good news to me, VI
ric,' he said-'very good news. We'll
come, Kate, to me. And for the
first time | noticed liberation in his
eyes when he looked at Lady GILMORE
! thanked them for their kindly
greeting, resolving in my heart that
would be true and loving sister to
them,
But little Willie said-"We must
not forget him. You who love me let
me so to nurse him. shall come back
soon; | am not afraid. The little one
will die without care"
Once and for all, say MOI" cried
Uric. You shall not go. | am sorry
for the rector, sorry from my heart for
the child; but l cannot sacrifice you
for them. What do you say Ru-
dolph?"
81 say decidedly that she must not
go" replied Sir Rudolph. Il Will not
hear of it,"
Then Lady GILMORE came to us.
mo, you must not go, Kate. For
you are love, life, and brightness; for
me- All. well, dear, you would fill
any station far better than | should!
| will go to nurse the sick child
She turned TO her husband. her face
eagerly eXpectant. She went up to
him with claSped hands She did not
touch him; one rebuff had been enough
for her.
Heaven has sent me this chance. !"
she said. You see il for yourself. oh.
let me go! Dc aot refuse me. Rudolph.
It is my first prayer to you since"
Hush" he said, but not unKindly,
Hush"
Let me go, Rudolph" she cried.
Heaven has sent me this chance: let
me avail myself of it. You know
you know '-and as she bent her head
near him. l heard her say. "a life for
a life Let me save this one; let me
give mine for it, if needs must be,
Say that may go. Rudolph"
Still he hesitated. and a look came
into his eyes that I had never seen
there before, He must have loved her
with desperate passion once.
You ask me to let you so to Ger.
tain death. Do you know that?r
Eyes. know; but may save life
In any case, | shall offer mine for II
And. if die. you will forgive me? All
do not turn from me. Rudolph. be