Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-03-02
CHAPTER XVI.

From that evening a very fever OF
unhappfness seized Hettie. She longed
50 intensely to see Leah again; her
thoughts were always with her. Martin
Raw began to complain bitterly OF his
Youngest child; she was so absent, so
inattentive-it was the first time he
had had to find fault with her She
was always dreaming instead OF work
ing. thinking instead Of doing. What
had come over her? Nothing but an
irrepressible longing to see again the
sister whom she SO dearly loved.
Leah in her magnifcence haunted her
Leah with the love-light shining in
her. ewes. All! how could she be so
happy when she was parted forever
from them? Did she remember them
in the midst of her wealth and luxury?
Did she ever think of them-she who
had once loved them so dearly?
At last the fever of longing mas
tered her. She would not break her
promise-she would not speak to her;
but she must look upon her face again.
For days she struggled hard to find a
few moments leisure; but Martin
seemed to know that she wanted
few hours for herself, so he kept her
constantly employed. At last it came,
this leisure hour for which she had
longed. Her father went out, and
was not to return until after midnight.
Quick as thought she dressed herself.
1t was just eight o'clock, and she
would probably be in time to see
Leah leave Harbury House for what
ever ball or party she might be attend
ing
Those who lived in that noble man
sion little thought that the fair young
sister Of their beautiful mistress stood
outside for many hours, with a Wistful
look on her pale face, her eyes fixed
on the great entrance-dOor. Leah
had left the house before she reached
it; but Hettfe was resolved to wait for
her return. It would have touched a
heart of stone to see the patient figure
walking up and down with tireless
footsteps.
The stars began to shine; silence
fell. over the great city; the distant
roar Of carriages grew less. She
could hear the measured tread Of the
policemen; the soft shadows Of night
fell around her. She knew she ought
to go home; but she could not leave
the spot until she had seen LEANS face
lust once. if only for a moment.
At last came the sound Of wheels ;
7iahfs aDneared. as though by magic
in the windows Of the great house
The carriage drew up before the hall
door and the fOOtman descended. ReU
tie drew back into the shade as a 1ooo
Of light fell upon the pavement. She
saw the carriage door flung open, che
General descend first, and then Leah
She saw The lovely face, more beautl
full than ever, envelOped III mass OF
soft white lace. Leah made some
laughing remark as she stepped from
the carriage to the ground; and Hettle
saw that she carried a bouquet OF scar
let flowers in her hand. In another
minute she had passed through the
wide open door.
Then Hettie came forward and
touched the fOOtman on the arm.
4 will give you,' she said, "a SOW
ere:gn for the flowers which that lady
carried in her hand. Could you get
them for me if l remain here?'
The man looked at her in astonish-
ment.
DO you understand" she went on,
quickly. Il will give you sovereign
for the flowers that lady carried in
her hand"
The light from the lamp fell on her
sweet appraised face, and the man was
more bewildered
What do you want them for?" he
asked.
Never mind" she repIied-"T do
want them. Do not waste time talk
ing to me, but get them if you can"
Look here" said the footman;
that lady is our young mistress, and
l would not have any harm come to
her.
4 mean no HARM" she returned
quickly. Il simply want them to
keep by me after they are withered
ana Q6dQ, LOT ION6 VI uG1 -C1oC I'D S'AA'
but I do not wish any one to know.
"Oh. if that is what you want them
for, all right" said the man. Il will
get them for you. Stand there; L
will not be a minute
Leah had laid her bouquet on one
of the haIl-tables. 1t was composed OF
scarlet passion-foWers The man
took it up and went back to the door.
Here" he said, briefly; and the
next moment Hettie had exchanged
her one sovereign for the faded
bouquet.
How she loved her treasures! How
she kissed them! Leah had held them
in her hand, perhaps even touched
them with her lips.
''It is all that I shall ever have to
remind me of my beautiful Leah,' she
said to herself. Il will keep them as
long as I live
She fastened home, reaching there
IoFO,,O NTaItiI1 RaV'S