Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-03-17

been lying ever since mis- mothers
DEATH n necklace Of pearls and another
of diamonds together with a ruby
bracelet and several turquoise rings.
Ross Duncan had bought these for his
wife when he had been able to say
that he was worth a million dOllors,
and the entire value of them would
have kept a dozen families in comfort
all their lives. Mrs. Duncan had not
cared much for these playthings and
had seldom worn them. Ross Duncan
had willed them to Stuart instead of
Louise because of a within he took one
day He said they were family jewels
and ought to remain with the son of
the house.
Louise seized on these baubles of light
with an eagerness and love of dis
| play that were terrible to Stuart. She
| wore first the diamonds and then the
pearls around her small white neck
and finally put them both on, wearing
/ them together with the bracelet and
| the rings. She cried continually for
/ new dresses, and at last Rhena, at
! Stuart's suggestion, brought out some
! of Stuart's mothers silk gowns which
! had been packed away in a chest in
I the attic, and with a little changing
! they were made to fit Louise, who, al
| though she was able to sit up only Il
few hours, took the most pitiably child
ish delight in putting on all this fnery,
with Rhena's help, and then, with
hand mirror constantly within reach,
commenting on her appearance with
| the greatest eagerneSS.
One day Rhena slipped away from
her while she was busy in this manner
and as she was going into the library
| Stuart came in from the drawing room.
He had been down experimenting the
new building.
ooh, Stuart, Stuart" Rhena almost
sObbed as she closed the door so that
Louise could not hear, sit is so horrible!
! 1t seems so likc-SO like clothing Death
itself in tinsel and glitter. Oh. the
mockery 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 reason.
Only
"Only what, dear?" 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, | fear
She is wasting away like the snow on
the hills in spring."
Stuart gruaned. Il have seen it,
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
am going to see Aunt Royal and
probe the thing to the end. l have
written her. but had no reply. And all
our efforts to find Vasplaine have fail
ed. The family knows nothing of him.
| 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 go
abroad for the summer.
He was ushered into the great dra w
ing room of the mansion on the avenue
and remained standing by one of the
| NluOONS NdlJllS lOI Aunt lNONdl W
come down. His heart was heavy as
he thought Of Louise. He tried to COM
pose himself for the interview, remem-
boring his Christian faith and all that
, it required of him in all 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
who have made their money by invest
ing in tenement and saloon property.
; This is an 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.
, mo; | 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 theil
folly"
Aunt" said Stuart firmly. ignoring
all she said, Il have come down here t.
/, learn the truth about Louise. Tell me
all you know about it. 1t may help tt
4 restore her reason before she dies. Fol
: Gods sake. aunt, if you know what
g ought to know, let me have it,"
. Aunt Royals face paled just a trifle
, "RestOre her reasOnY'
p YES" replied Stuart, with some
sternness of tone, cher reason. She i:
: out of her mind. Her memory of event!
since her marriage is a blank. She
= must have received some great shock
n OF course we know Nasplaine has de
n serted her. And she is dying. After
= all, if Stuart paused, and his hear
! almost stood still as he caught the ex
preston on Aunt Royals face. II,
, was not looking at her, but at her re
! Election in the large cheval glass. AnC
q it was the reflection of an absolutel.
=, selfish and heartless enjoyment of Sc