Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-06-06
Continued


4 do moi know. He has been a
great deal at the cottage"
Il am very tender-heaTted myself,
continues the housekeeper, who was
growing sentimental under the infiu-
ence Of the cordial, "and must say il
went TO NY heart TO hear the boy "
ing there calling for his own mamma
his pretty mamma-and she lying
dead. poor thing, deaf TO all cries"
Il viii 20 70 him" said Mrs. Rivers,
wringing her hands, with a quick sud
den movement that startled the house
keeper. 4 need not wait TO see Lady
SeIwyn first. II he wants me, let me
go"
Mrs. Purton rose, not quite pleased
She had intended To have a little cheer
fuI gossip with the governess to find
out what made the young heir so fond
OF her. and now her chance was lost
II viii show you the way TO the red
room. III you viii follow me-" she said
little dreaming how well the quiet
silent. sOrrOwful woman knew the way
over that house: little dreaming why
Rupert loved Mrs. Rivers so dearly.
Her heart beat as he passed through
the long corridors, and through the
once familiar rooms. She stopped foI
one half minute at the large bay win
dow in the eastern corridor. She re
membered how often she had gone
there during the summer mornings tC
read. and at the same time 10 enjoy
the beautiful prospect. One morning
her husband had found her there, and
had laughingly declared he would cal
the place ''Violante's Study"
She passed it. II seemed to her she
could suffer no more; nothing could be
worse. 1Othing could be more bitter
On, with steady steps, until she
reached the door OF the red room. She
murmured tho words of a prayer as the
housekeepeI opened il, and they en-
tered
II was dinis lighted, and the night
lamp was shaded A small fire burned
in the crate. She looked at the large
handsome bedstead, with its rich hang
ings OF red velvet. There was a
thick quilt Of red satin, and in the
midst OF the white linen lay her beauti'
ful sOn-her beautiful boy, Rupert.
She went quickly up to him, toe
deeply touched for words-tOO full OF
emotion for speech. He lay sleep
ing, his cheeks flushed, his eyelids
dark. a purple ring underneath his
eyes. his lips dry and parched; not
sleeping quietly and calmly but start
ing. muttering, crying out restless
and agitated.
He seems worse tonight" said Mrs.
Purtcl TO the woman who sat by his
side. Il don't like that muttering."
Mrs. Rivers," cried the boy in hts
clear. shrill voice, the next moment
she was BY his side.
She bent over him; she took him in
her arms. The yearning impulse that
had been so long upon her could not
be controlled; come what may, she
must pillow that head upon her breast;
she must rain kisses on the fair, flush.
ed face: she must whisper caressing
words, such as she had whispered
years ago. when his baby-head rested
on her breast Come what might,
she must do it.
But no one seemed TO notice il, or
20 think Il strange; no one looked on.
Mrs. Purton began 10 talk TO the nurse,
and she was alone with her sen. She
C1asped him in her arms; she raised
the dropping. burning head, and pill
lowed Il on her beating heart. She
bent over him and kissed the flushed
face. the burning lips; kissed them
with a passion Of love that seemed as
though ID could never he satisfied.
''NFOther." whispered the boy; with.
cut opening his eyes. "Oh, mother!
have you come az last?"
Then. after a moment:
Mrs. Rivers" he said. in a low,
calm tone. Il am so glad you have
come. I wcs Just dreaming OF my
mother"
Then he had not known. Her gentle,
caressing touch had awakened the
memory of his mother within him,
and caused his cry.
II have come 10 stay with you,
Rupert" she said. until you are
quite well. Lord Selwyn came to
fetch me"
Il am so glad" he said. You are
quiet and gentle; every one else seems
20 make such a noise. and my head
aches without ceasing. You will tell
me the truth. I know. Do you think
Z shall ever get well again?"
CHAPTER XIV.