Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-31

Il laughed, for this seemed absurd
and contemplate. Hate that fair, ten
der little creature, whose father was
my own brother! Oh. no, never!
Rather would I love and cherish him.
One morning Nest and myself were
standing by the little cot, and she said
to me
What fragile, tender life it. is!
And to think that this is all that
stands between you and fortune!'
81 kissed her beautiful upturned
face
"'Do not encourage such thoughts.
much less utter them, Nest said.
Nevertheless it does seem strange,
Rudolph she persisted, that such a
tiny child should deprive you Of every
thing
eve were all tiny children once
upon a time replied.
81 knew that Nest cried at times
fate. There was no prospect of our
marriage for some time yet.
Zone morning Mrs. Jennings told
me that the child was not well, and a
little later letter came from head
quarters, saying that our regiment
was ordered abroad, though not on &C.
tive service. The news was almost a
death-blow to Nest She chung 20 me,
poor child, weeping passionately.
must not go, she said; she would die
if l left her. I soothed and Gained
her. l told her that, if I went, she
must remain, and take good care of
the little heir. I shall never forget her
anguish at the thought Of our separa-
ton.
Il must hasten to the end of my
story. The child got worse during
the day, and the next morning he was
dead. The doctor said that he had
died in commissions, and that the little
one was SO delicate that he had never
really thought he would live The
nurse was overwhelmed with grief 1t
struck me afterward, although | did
not think much of it at the time, that
she never looked me in the face when
she spoke of the child. The little heir
stood by the little ones side, that
even in thoughts I had never wished
him harm, that l had never for one
moment grudged him his rich inherit
ance, nor felt that he was in my way"
Sir Rudolph paused for a few mo-
ments, looking earnestly on the face of
his dead wife. Then he turned to us
again.
when the child died. you remem-
Der, Uric, I sent at once for you l
succeeded to the title and estate. l
vas sorry for the child; but it had been
such fragile life that l did not great
ly mourn. We buried the little one.
Nest then went back to her aunt, and
it was arranged that she should re-
main with her until we were married.
[ did not think it strange that she
should suggest taking the nurse, Mar
tina Jennings, with her. The woman
protested great attachment to her,
while Nest seemed to rely greatly on
her. Nor, when we were married, did
[ think it strange that Nest should
want to bring the nurse with her to
Brooke Hall. | imagined that she
liked her for my little nephew's sake,
and that the child formed a tie be-
tween them which women only could
understand
The cloud caused by so many
deaths hung over us for some time,
and then gradually we learned to look
on the past with calmness. We were
young, and l was more happy with my
wife than words can tell. You know,
both of you, how she loved me. think
no man in the world was ever more
beloved.
Il remember that my first sensation
of uneasiness arose from noticing how
| completely Nest was under the control
of the nurse; and l did not altogether
like the Woman'S manner to her. More
than once l found my wife in tears,
and when l inquired the reason she
put me off with an evasive answer
Yet, heaven knows, these were but
trif1es which brought me no CLEAN of
suspicion of the reality to come
Il WISH" continued Sir Rudolph,
! the rest. l do so only by her com
mand, now that she is dead 1 would
fam bury her secret with her poor
misguided Nest!
L must confess now that there were
! times when l felt uneasy about Nest
| She was so changed She seemed to
love me, if possible, more than ever.
! bn
puzzled me. She was distracted, and
did not seem quite sure of herself.
About a week before Christmas
! Day Mrs. Jennings was taken sudden.
! ly i'll. Nest seemed much distressed
! We sent for the doctor from Avon
sleigh, and he pronounced her to be in
great danger At first no one thought
much of her illness, nor did we say
anything before our friends-the house
was filled with guests-lest they
should be nervous. One of the house
maids undertook to nurse her, and We
hoped for the best. At nine o'clock on
the morning of Christmas Eve / was
as happy as any one in England |
] rose from the breakfast-table. after
! making plans for the day with my
! guests. Nest met me in the hall, where
the men-servants had just placed a
! great bunch of nistletoe. l took up a
! spray, and held it over Nests head.
AS I saw her face then l never behe,d
it more. l kissed the lips that had
never worn anything but the sweetest
| smiles for me, and at the same mo-
ment the housemaid who was in at