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


Richard was killed by the bursting of
a gun. The bullet lodged in his heart,
and he fell dead instantaneously.
There was terrible CONSERVATION and
distress. Messages and kilograms
were dispatched in haste. and before
the end of the day both brothers were
at the Hall No words could tell their
grief at the news.
Sir Richard had left no will; but,
after a long conference with the law
yers and an interview with Lady Gull
more herself, it was arranged that
everything should for a time remain
as it was. Lady Culmore, even in the
midst of her great grief, was not alto
gether desolate, for in few months
she would be the mother of a little
child. If this child were a boy, he
would, of course, succeed both to title
and estate-if a daughter, Captain
GILMORE would be the heir. He him
self behaved most nobly. Nothing
could exceed his kindness to the young
widow. He insisted that she should
remain at Brooke Hall, that every care
and attention should be lavished on
her. He went continually to visit her.
He was as kind and devoted as the
most loving brother could possibly
have been. Nest Lakewood remained
during this anxious period with her
cousin at Brooke, and she too, as nurse,
was most devoted. There were times
when Nest rebelled against the fate
of her lover and herself.
at does seem hard" she would say
to him, that a little child should
stand between you and this grand in
heritance."
But the captain would laugh at her,
and never made the slightest comment
on the state of affairs. His brothers
wife and child were sacred to him. If
he felt the slightest disappointment,
he never showed it. But Nest with
difficulty concealed her annoyance.
So the days and weeks passed anxi-
ously, and at last the hour came when
Lady GILMORE was blessed by the birth
Of son and heir. Captain GILMORE
had been sent for, and he arrived an
hour before the young mother died
She lived only to place the cid in Ru-
dolphs arms.
Il should like him to be called Ber-
tie she said; 'and l intrust him to
you-you and Nest
They both knelt by her side. She
took a hand of each, and held 1t in her
own.
mo trust could be more sacred
than this which confide to you both"
she said. Take care of my little son.
[ leave him to you; let him be to you
as son of your own. You will look
after his interests, Rudolph; it viii be
many day before the broad lands of
Brooke fall to him. Nest. you have
been like sister to me: take care of
my child. You will be married, and
you must come to live here to be the
guardians of my child
And, kneeling there, they promised
her most faithfully to care for and
cherish the child as though it were
their own.
| will tell the remainder of the story
in Sir Rudolph's own words. He was
still lneeling by the side of the bed
and his tempest of grief was over.
kate. you will perhaps understand
me best" he said, when | tell you
that from the moment the young
mother. dying. placed that child in my
arms, I loved it tenderly. I am not
ashamed" continued Sir Rudolph. "to
tell YOU that | l1nelt down and kissed
the little face of my brothers son. that
I promised loyal fealty and true SER
vice to him. I promised to look after
his interests as though they were my
own.
Sir Albert Culmore of Brookei' I
said, saluting in soldier fashion the
baby-air.
eve had taken the child into the
nursery which the poor young mother
had prepared with such loving care.
We installed the Sir BERTHE in great
state. A nurse had been engaged for
him. She was tall stout woman !;
and she sat before the fire with the
little bundle of white flannel and white
lace on her knee. Her name was Mar
tina Jennings.
EDO you think the little one is
strong. nurse?' I asked.
No one can tell. sir she answered
at this age. 1t will be against him
poor little child. losing his mother"
Il laid my hand upon Nests shout.
der
This lady will he the most tender
Of mothers to him said.
But the nurse shook her head.
"a child has but one mother. sir.
she said.
NEST bent down to kiss him.
:" I will be loving mother to you
baby she said
"And I wondered if the mother in
heaven could see the fair little child
living there. with its two protectors
Nest and myself All poor Nest,
LADY GILMORE was laid to sleep by
her husbands side. and I wrote fo1
prolonged leave of absence. Ii not the
it-steward for the little child and his
rights. The leave of absence was
granted. and was verv busy. There
was much tn do in settling the affairs
Of the estate. Uric came down tC
help whenever he could. I grew tC
love nv fair little nephew: I used to
call him the chieftain I made it a
practise to kneel by the pretty cot
where he silent and pray for him. ]
liked to go there in the morning and
at night. A tender passionate love
was growing in my heart for the baby