Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-31


call him the chieftain. | made 1t q
practise to kneel by the pretty col
where he slept 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
heir, my dead brothers son. True
the little fellow had deprived me OF
title, estate, and wealth. but did not
seem to love him one jot the less. The
nurse smiled when she saw me kneel,
ing by the cot kissing the little hand.
| always like to remember that one
day she said to me
you are a good man, sir. Excuse
me, but some gentlemen would hate a
child who had come between them and
such property"
II 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 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!'
| Il kissed her beautiful upturned
face.
DO not encourage such thoughts,
much less utter them, Nest said.
Nevertheless 1t does seem strange,
Rudolph she persisted, that such a
tiny child should deprive you of every
thing
eve were all tiny children once
upon time replied.
II knew that Nest cried at times
over what seemed the hardness of our
fate. There was no prospect of our
marriage for some time yet.
"One morning Mrs. Jennings told
me that the child was not well, and a
little later a letter came from head
quarters, saying that our regiment
was ordered abroad, though not on ac-
tive service. The news was almost a
death-blow to Nest. She chung TO me,
poor child, weeping passionately.
must not go, she said; she would die
If left her. | soothed and Gained
her. told her that, If / went. she
must remain, and take good care of
the little heir. | 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
was dead. l thanked heaven, as |
stood by the little ones side, that
even In thoughts had never wished
him harm. that had never for one
moment grudged him his rich inherit
ance, nor felt that he was in my way"
Sir Rudolph paused for 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, | sent at once for you. /
succeeded to the title and estate. |
was sorry for the child; but ii had been
such fragile life that | did not great
~ mourn. We buried the little one.
Nest then went backsto 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
| professed 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 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.
I remember that my first sensation
OF uneasiness arose from noticing how
completely Nest was under the control
OF the nurse; and did not altogether
like the woman's manner to her. More
Than once | found my wife in tears
and when | inquired the reason she
put me on with an evasive answer.
Yet heaven knows. these were hut
tribes which brought me no CLEAN of
suspicion of the reality to come.
Il WISH" continued Sir Rudolnh
! that | were not compelled to ten Won
the rest l do so only by her com.
mand, now that she is dead. | would
fam bury her secret with her poor
misguided Nest,
Il must confess now that there were
times when | felt uneasy about Nest
She was so changed. She seemed to
/, love me. if possible, more than ever,
2 Che u-a~ ,,,Ns4 Jax-osaS a. - ~. d.