Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-06-02
Continued.

Il do not know. He has been a
great deal at the cottage"
Il am very tender-hearted myself, "
continued the housekeeper, who was
growing sentimental under the infiu-
ence OF the cordial, land | must say 1t
went to my heart to hear the boy ly-
Ing there calling for his own mamma
his pretty mamma-and she lying
dead, poor thing, deaf to all cries"
II will 90 to him." said Mrs. Rivers,
wringing her hands, with a quick, sud
den movement that startled the house
keeper. Il need not walt to see Lady
Selwyn first. II he wants me, let me
GO"
Mrs Purton rose, not quite pleased.
ful gossip with the governess to find
out what made the young heir so fond
OF her, and now her chance was lost.
II will show you the way to the red
room If you will follow me" she said,
little dreaming how well the quiet,
silent, sorrowfu woman knew the way
over that house; little dreaming why
Rupert loved Mrs. Rivers so dearly
Her heart beat az he passed through
the long corridors, and through the
once familiar rooms. She stopped for
one half minute mt the large bay win.
dow In the eastern corridor She re-
membered how often she had gone
there during the summer mornings to
read. and Mt the same time to enjoy
the beautiful prospect. One morning.
her husband had found her there, and
had laughIngly declared he would call
the place "VIolantes Study"
She passed It. 1t seemed to her she
could suffer no more; nothing could be
worse, nothing could be more bitter.
On, with steady steps, until she
reached the door Of the red room. She
murmured tho words of prayer as the
housekeepel opened 1t, and they en-
tered
1t was diniS lighted and the night
lamp was shade 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-
full son-her beautiful boy Rupert.
She went quickly up to him, too
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 Hips dry and parched, not
sleeping quietly and calmly but start
ing, muttering. crying out, restless
and agitated,
"He seems worse tonight" said Mrs.
Purton to the woman who sat by his
side, Il don't like that muttering."
Mrs. Riversl" cried the boy In his
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.
cd 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 1t.
But no one seemed to notice 1t, or
to think 1t strange; no ono looked on.
Mrs Purton began To talk to the nurse,
and she was alone with her sen. She
clasped him IN her arms she raised
the dropping burning head, and pill,
lowed II on her beating heart She
bent over him and kissed the flushed
face, the burning lps kissed them
" h passion of love that seemed rs
though. II could never bo satisfied.
Mother" whispered the boy; with
out opening his eyes, ooh, motherl
have YOU come at last"
Then after moment,
Mrs. Rivers" he said in low,
calm tone, 81 am SO glad YOU have
come. was just dreaming of my
mother"
Then he had not known. Her gentle,
caressng touch had awakened the
memcry of his mother within him,
and caused his cry
Il have como to stay with YOU.
Rupert sno said until YOU are
quite we'll Lord Selwyn came to
fetch ne"
Il am SO glad" he said. You are
quiet and gentle every one else seems
to make such Il noise. and my head
inches without ceasing, You will tell
me the truth, | know. DO you think
I shall ever get we'll again."
CHAPTER XIV.