Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-10-11

whatever | may hear. Whatever pep
pie say of you, will love you."
Catherine, dear, dear Catherine,
you know | have loved you and that
shall always love you, whatever may
happen! What can happen to make
me so wicked and ungrateful as TO
forget you or think of you in any
way but as my second mother?"
Catherine Hayes opened her eyes
and fixed them on the girls face with
inexpressible tenderness; then, with
sigh, they closed, to open no more
on this mystery which we call Life
Norah uttered one cry, and, as II
she had been waiting for it as a sig
nal, an old lady opened the door and
came gently to her side.
Come away, Miss Norah Come
away, dear"
The girl kissed the white face and
stood looking down at it for a minute
through her binding tears then al
lowed the old lady to lead her from
the room.
When the first shock of grief had
,'sseided she became conscious of
the letter which she still held in her
hand She got up and put on her hat
and walked down to the post office ia
the village. She might have sent it
but she had promised to post it and
she world obey the one and last re-
quest which haa been made by tie
woman who, though servant, had
been, as she said, a mother to her.
A week later an old gentleman n
frock coat and a white hat climbed
the narrow path that led to the coz
tage and knocked at the little green
door.
He was very warm, for the month
was June and the sun blazing in the
most gallant fashion, and as he TOOK
off his white hat and wiped his bald
forehead he pulled and gasped, oil
though he was by no means fat.
Mrs. Jordan | believe, ma'am," he
said to the old lady who answered the
knock.
Il am Mrs. Jordan, SIR she re-
piled.
and this, of course, is Cliff Cot.
tage" he said raising his hat and Tx
ing his sold eyeglasses. MY name
is Petherick, Petherick, of Gray 5
Inn, ma'am, and | wish to see Miss
Norah Frere.'
Walk in, il you please, sir" she
said, opening the door of neat little
parlor Miss Frere is out at present,
but ! am expecting her every mo-
ment."
Mr.. Petherick walked In and looked
round the small room with keen but
not unkindly glance, 1t was the best
room In the cottage, and it was not
without certain refinement Two
or three modern poets lay on the
table and some etchings of the best
| masters hung on the walls. There
was something about the room that
was not only coy but tasteful, and
with that indefinable tone which i;
felt though Ii cannot be described.
Miss Frere has gone for walk on
the cliffs said Mrs. Jordan as Mr..
Petherick seated himself. 1T is so
much better for her to be out; In
deed, she almost lives in the op N
air."
Very healthy, ma'am." said Mr..
Petherick nodding approvingly.
Nothing like fresh air for young
people, and old ones, too. But, to
tell you the truth. am rather gla 4
that Miss Frere is out for though |
| have come to see her | am glad OF
an opportunity for little talk with
| YOU In her absence"
He coughed a little dry cough be.
hind his hand, and his keen eyes
scanned Mrs. Jordan's face. 1t did
not need a very strict scrutiny, for il
was perfectly honest and genuine
and, but for its kindness of express
sion, commonplace.
Mr.. Petherick's gaze relaxed into i
persuasive smile.
Let me see, my dear lady" he
said. Il think Miss Frere has lived
here with YOU for some yearsg"
u.s. SAs Sdlu MIS-. JOrQHm
nearly sixteen. She was only foui
years old when she came and she Is
now nearly twenty. Time passes
very quickly, sir"
Yes, ma'am. II does" assenteo
the lawyer. Nearly sixteen years. :
He looked round the room. Let me
see--l've a bad head for dates. ma'am
although | am a lawyer-her mother
Mrs Frere. died he waited.
Little more than a twelvemonti
after they came to lodge here"
Yes, yes.f he murmured, making ,
rapid calculation; "and since he
mothers death the young lady ha.
been living in the charge. and unde
the care, so to speak. of her mother
, confidential servant---housekeep
what shall we say9"
Mrs, Jordan inclined her head.
Mrs. Hayes: yes, sir. A mos
admirable woman. Mr.. Petherick, an,
4 -er-much above her class. Sh,
was devoted to Miss Norah; thin