Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-04-23
CHAPTER XXXVIIl.

me last autumn mower had died
and over the earth had fallen the
white robe of winter. Glen was still
in the hands of the workpeople, and
Sir Basil was busted with the coming
election, his marriage, and his estate
Leah was also engrossed in prepare.
tons; while the general rejoiced to
see his niece so active and happy.
A sudden interruption came TO
this state of lnlngs.
One morning the general came
down full Of bright plans and antcl-
pations. His favorite leverage was a
cup of coffee, made from the fragrant
| freshIy-ground berries; Leah, on the
contrary, preferred drinking orange
pekoe from cup of priceless Seyres.
+, Sir Arthur discussed his breakfast,
talked about the party of visitors
whom he would like to gather under
his roof for Christmas, about Sir
Basil and how much better he had
seemed to be on the previous even
ing. and finally walked to table in
another part of the room, on which
the post-bag was lying.
1t was one Of the rules of the
! household at Brentwood that the
| letters should never be opened until
after breakfast, the generals idea
being that, if they contained bad
news, it was better to delay it, If
/ sood, it would be the better for keep
ing lie took the bag in his hands
all unconscious that it held for him
and for others a certain doom.
"Wo have numerous correspond
cnts this morning" he said, turning
out the contents.
Some Of the letters contained in.
others were circulars and charitable
appeals, At last the general came to
one envelope that seemed to puzzle
him. He looked at the postmark
and saw the word, "Southwood," who
could have written to him from
Southwood2 That was the little
town ON the slope Of the great green
hill near Demo .tDDcE He had driven
through it once or twice but hes was
not aware tina he knew any one iiy-
ing there,
Leah, " he cried there is a strange
thing-a letter from Southwood?
That Is the place by the sea, is it
not?"
Eyes, she replied; "but have
never been there. did not know
that you had any correspondents in
that part of the country, uncle"
Nor did |, he said, This letter
, is written by lady, am sure. 1t is
an easy, elegant, flowing hand"
"The quickest way to see from
whom it comes is to open 1t and look
at the signature" laughed Leah.
You do not seem to havo thought of
that, uncle"
He joined in her laughter, then
opened the envelope, drew out the
letter. and read it. AS he did SO,
all the color died from his face and
the smile from his lips He perusea
/ it slowly and carefully, then looked
at Leah Alarmed by the expression
! Of his eyes, she rose from her seat
by the fire and went over to him
This concerns you Leah, he said.
ut Is written hy your sister Hettie.
by Hettie,". she cried. ooh,
uncle. what is It? May read it,"
But, when she held the letter in
her hands, here agitation was SO
I Oh Ia,
words.
Tell me what it is about" she
cried, in distress Il cannot road
cannot see! What is it about
uncle?"
The general looked at her with
plying eyes.
Let me keep it until You can read
It, Leah Carry your mind back my
dear, to the afternoon when [ first
saw you--to the little gloomy room
where the bars Of yellow sunlight fel
upon lue floor. DO YOU remember it
Leah"
YES" she cried, with shudder,
but why do you speak of it-why re
mind me of it?"
You will hear, my dear This
lettor is from llettic; and She say.
that your father is very i'll, an,
wishes to see YOU"
Leah clasped her hands in dismay
oh, uncle" she cried, Il had 81
nearly forgotten that terrible past
that dreadful life!"
Il know, my dear he said sooth
ingly "Wc have kept to our com
pact WELL the name of Ray has no
been mentioned between MS Blu
this letter is the result of my words
said Heaven forgive me If | spolt
too harshy that in life woul'
have nothing to do with him. bu
that, II. when he came to lie, h,
wanted you, you should so to him
You rememher?"
YES" she replied, shuddering, ="
remember it. You said: II YOU ar,
dying. and send for her She shall
come,
Those were my words, said th'
general and | must carry them out
Your father is dying. Leah and h