The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-09-12
@ THE 81
TWO POSSESSORS.
(Original.l

in the flower beds. Mrs. Westervelt
had opened all the windows, put the
pillows on the sill and left the beds
open for the regular daily airing. She
had servants to do her bidding, but
there were certain duties she reserved
for herself. She was an excellent
housekeeper and especially particular
as tOcleanhness and fresh air. -
Mrs. Westervelt had at seventeen
loved man of thirty He never
knew that she loved him.. He drifted
away from her and married. Later
she gave her hand to man of means.
Her heart was like clock that had
stopped, or, rather, beat for her first
and only love.
Mrs. Westervelt was in one Of the
upper rooms busting her own especial
mementO trinkets when she heard car
rage wheels on the gravel driveway
and vehicle stop at the front porch.
Then maid came up and said that a
gentleman had been driving and had
collapsed In his carriage. His coach
map begged that he be allowed to rest
at the house. Mrs. Westervelt went
downstairs and out to the carriage.
There his head resting on the cush-
ions, his eyes half closed, his white
locks falling OH his forehead, was the
man she had loved in her youth-had
always loved.
In a few minutes servants had car
ried the invalid to a divan, where he
lay propped with pillows while Mrs.
WeStervelt ministered to him. A ply
sician came and pronounced the heart
so feeble that the old man could not
be moved, at least for a time, without
serious risk, and Mrs. Westervelt per-
suaded him to remain for an indefinite
period. He had broken down while
making tour from the city In his car
riage, not being able to endure the
excitement of train. His wife was
herself an invalid, and his children
were occupied with families of their
own. Ills stay at Mrs. Westervelt's
proved his last sojOurn on earth.
He was carried to bedroom up
Stairs. From a window he could look
upon a height of land. on the crest
of which were forest trees. He would
lie looking up at these trees, watching
their topmost branches sway in the
wind Is there anything more sooth-
ing than a slow, monotOnOus motion
hither. thither: hither. thither: hither,
thither?
One morning Mrs. Westervelt brought
0H koIy nrfu Won PC,
before and showed it to him. 1t was
q dagnerreotype. The skirt of her
dress was covered with little flOunceS.
and on her head was bonnet. The
hair was parted In the middle Of her
head and smoothed down on each side.
The face was young, innocent, loving.
He asked who the girl was. Mrs.
Westervelt sighed. closed the case and
put the picture away
Again she asked him If he remem-
bered Agnes Lee. He pondered and
said no. Then she referred to several
Incidents that had occurred when he
had known her At last she touched
Upon one that he remembered. They |
lad been out together on horseback. |
Her horse had thrown her, and he had |
picked her up for dead. The impress !
sion stamped upon his brain by this
Incident served as a spark to kindle |
| flame. A succession of memories |
prang up in his mind.
II remember" he said. "She was
Agnes Lee, a beautiful girl, a lovely |
,irl! But I have no recollection Of |
Ter face or figure. Singular he add
ID musingly, ''how the past fades. I
emember one evening that l came
yery near making love to Agnes Lee. |
checked myself in time. was mid |
way between thirty and forty, while
he was not long out of short dresses.
rs more than quarter Of a century
ince the incident has occurred to me-
What life she would have had had
he married me with all my vicissi-
udes! And now that I'm broken old
are. What lucky escape for her!"
He felt a hand stealing over his.
Yes" said the woman beside him,
she would have been in my place."
One day, while he was looking out
pom the crest of the hill, he said to
is nurse:
II have a wish. dare say it can't
e gratified I would like when my
pirit goes outward that my body :
hould pass to resting place up there
nder those trees
"You can have your WISH" she re-
lied '"The hill is included within
~ grounds"
Letters came from the old mans
hildren thanking her for her kindness .
} their father. They would gladly
ave remunerate6 her, but surmised
nat such course would be out Of :
he question. a son was abroad and
daughter on the. Pacific coast.
either could come to him without |
eriously disarranging their plans.
heir mother was an invalid herself
nd unable to nurse him. s
The man died In the arms Of the (,
oman who had ministered to him.
he wrote his children that he had Is
wish to be buried on her !