Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-05-28

- 10y 49,
been followed by a queue OF interested
urchins and weaknesses. for in Hay
void the fly was a vehicle of grandeur
and Importance, seldom used and
much admired.
From its interior a tall girl had
descended and disappeared into the
gray house. Whereupon the i'm
maculate Fielding, who cherished an
homogeneous affection for her mistress.
had appeared to help the driver with
the boxes and ether travelling fmpedi-
menta. Lastly, the driver had
emerged smiling at a coin he held in
the palm of his hand. He had mount
ed to his seat and driven away. The
urchins and urchinesses had dispersed
slowly.
Inside the gray house the young
lady, who was Mrs. Hardy's sister,
stood looking down on the sofa in the
shaded, scented room. where Pene-
lope's stepmother lay assiiuously
smelling at a silver vinaigret.
Sorry I startled YOU" the girl was
saying, in a pleasant, brisk sort Of
voice; its over two years since I've
e you"
yes. I am so easily startled now"
The voice came in sharp contrast to
that other; it was thin and slow and
decidedly peevish.
"Worse?" asked the girl.
ooh, yes" with what sounded
strangely like enjoyment; ooh, much
worse, Helen! My nerves
Shall l go? Do you want to be
alone?"
How unkind you are. When I get
so little company
ooh, all right. How's the baby?"
Penelope? Nothing ever wrong
with her"
Where is she?"
cat the rectory, I suppose. She
So I send her to the rectory all the
morning and afternoon. Mrs. Crigby
is glad to earn a little money. The
rector spends everything on musty
books, full of microbes"
Helen was pulling off her gloves.
what does she do there?" she
asked.
"Who, Penelope? Lessons, or
course"
Poor mite"
"How absurd you are, Helen!" The
light greenish eyes on the sofa looked
with a cold sort Of fire upon her.
Helen remembered with a whimsical
smile her terror at hat look when
she was much younger. She wonder
ed suddenly if Penelope were affected
by it.
There was a pause. Helen's
thoughts wandered; their wandering
brought a softness to her eyes.
you know I'm engaged?" she said.
Yes; to Sir Ralph Bennington:"
the name rolled lingeringly from her
tongue. ct is a very good marriage
for you, Helen"
Helen frowned. She rose and
walked to the window.
when is it to be-" asked her
sister.
81 don't know. I haven't decided
yet"
ct ought to be soon; I see nothing
to prevent it, and much to render it
advisable. You are homeless, now
that Mrs. Willoughby has her cousin
to travel with her"
A curious look shone in Helen's
gray eyes for a moment.
Il can get another post as com
panion," she said quietly.
But how ridiculous it would be!
And I cannot offer you a home here,
Helen. If you will stay a few weeks
I shall be pleased. But l am SO poor;
my lad health is so EXPENSIVE
room; the vases of flowers; the scent
bottles; the fans; the screen and
cushions and yellow backed. novels.
Yes" she said.
Does Sir Ralph hold back?" asked
her sister.
A CLEAN of mirth lit the frank face
over by the window.
NO; he wants M to marry him
now-at once"
Then why
ooh, I don't know" Helen
shrugged her shoulders slightly, her
short upper lip curled wilfully. 81
won't be hurried" she said: hes
too masterful."
Upon the peevish remonstrances of
Mrs. Hardy broke the immaculate
Fielding.
please, ma'am, it's after five and
Miss Penelope has not returned. She
didn't come home to dinner, neither"
Fielding spoke in hushed tones that
reminded Helen irresistibly Of a
death chamber.
Really, Fielding, I do not see why
1 should be troubled. She is at the
rectory"-
Does Miss Penelope always return
to dinner?" broke in Helen's voice.
yes, miss
'"Then why wasn't your mistress
told that she had not returned to-
day?"
81 didn't want to trouble her, miss.
II never vex her with little things;
and l knew Miss Penelope would be
quite safe at the rectory."
There was a hint Of defiance in
Fielding's hushed tones.
"She is quite right" murmuTed her
mistress, feebly, my nerves VIII not
stand
A thought had struck Helen.
Does she return aIone?" she said.
81 do wish you would not speak so
abruptly, Helen. Fielding, my laven-
der salts"