Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-01-03
CHAPTER VII.

The weeks which followed were time
which neither Godfrey nor Freda ever
cared to recall Miss Percival, as well as
Nest, lay at deaths door, and Freda only
passed from one invalid's room to an
other. The worn frame of the elder
woman grew yet more emaciated as the.
days went by.
Upon one occasion she sent for Geof-
frey as if she had some secret to impart
She held his hand and looked dumbly at
him with great, hollow eyes.
"Wait until you are BETTER Miss Per-
cival," he said kindly "We think there
is an improvement in Nest today, and
please Heaven, there are better times in
store fer US all. IF there is anything you
would like to say then we will hear it
Freda and [. You are not fit for any
thing yet"
Miss Percival sank back on her pillow
and seemed satisfied. The doctor had no
hope of her ultimate recovery, but he
thought she might rally and live for
some time with care Freda busted her
self in the service of one patient as free
ly as in that of the other, until her
cheeks began to grow hollow and her
bloom to vanish. She loved the woman
who had given her home, and her
young heart overlooked with pity as she
looked at the wreck of health and hopes
before her.
'We must not let you get i'll too"
Godfrey said as they stood together one
afternoon. "Nessie is a little better, is
she not? Leave her with the nurse, and
come out with me-"
What becomes of your work, Geoff,
while you stay here with us? she asked
as they left the house.
Whatever it likes. can pick it up
again when Nest gets letter"
What should we do without your
said Freda. "The 6octor il sure there is
a shade o. improvement today. Did he
say so to your
Her eyes sought his wistfully.
Yes he replied heartily; certainly
shade. ] hope we have turned the cor
mel. and that poor Miss Percival-Fre-
da, did you ever speculate on the mys-
terry that surrounds herr"
~0ften. Whatever it is it has totally
changed her. / came here expecting a
hard post and uneongenial surroundings.
and found her gentle. timid, rairFuiiy
anxious to please. Whatever may have
been her motive in denying Nest admit
lance? 1t was something forced on her. !"
I'm fact return to herself as you
hav; heard of herr"
Something like that. Geoff, you have
some suspicion or theory, / know"
1T is such a vague thing that l coulG
not put it into words Tell me, how did
Nine. st. ALBERT receive you when you
went to London that day?"
she was thoroughly frightened. She
must have treated Nest cruelty"
and Nurse Williams z"
She was dreadfully alarmed when she
found Nest was gone. Your telegram
was waiting for me there, and she was
greatly relieved to hear that Nest was
safe in Cornwall. Nurse Williams said
she expected her illness. She has Nests
watch. The pawnbroker was uneasy
abu1It it, and consulted the very police
man who recommended you to take her
to Nurse Williams. Poor Nest, cannot
bear to think of lit"
Nor !" he said shortly. Il wish now
had let her know that it was / who
found her. not Volkmarr, as she evident
ly thought. But when she ran away
from Mime. St. Aubert's to escape me
was afraid she would do the same again
II she knew / was hunting all day for
her. 1t was quite a sudden thought to
hurry here and send you to her. / near
" missed the train in London, little
dreaming that she was close beside me
al the time"
They had come to the thickct where