Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-06-29


threshold Of new effort and a new life
After all, she thought, it was she that
had made her dear old Gerry into q
time-server. She could have made him
into anything else if she had tried
She longed to tell him so. Perhaps he
would catch her and crush her in his
arms as Alan had done She laughed
at herself for wanting him to- She
rang for the butler. where's your
master, JOhn?"
L don't know, ma'am. Mr.. Gerry
hasn't come back since he went out
this morning" To John, Mr.. Lansing
was person who had been dead for
some time. His present overlCrds were
Mr.. and Mrs. Gerry and Mrs. Lansing
when she was in town.
Telephone to the club and if he is
there tell him 1 want to see him, -
said Alix and turned to her welcome
tea. The sandwiches seemed unusual.
~ small to her ravenous appetite.
Gerry was not at the club. Alix
dressed resplendently for dinner.
Never had she dressed for any other
man with the care that she dressed
for Gerry that night. But Gerry did
not come. At haIf-past nine Alix or
dered the table cleared. I'll not dine
tonight" she said to John. when
your master comes. show him in here
She sat on in the library listening
for Gerry's step in the hall.
From time to time John came into
the room to replenish the fire. On one
of these occasions Alix told him he
might go to bed but an hour later he
returned and stood in the door. Alix
looked very small, curled up in a great
leathern chair by the fire.
Its after one o'clock, ma'am," said
John. Mr.. Gerry won't be coming
in tonight" Alix made no answer.
John held his ground. Its time for
you to go to bed, ma'am. Shall l
call the maid?"
1t was long time since John had
taken any apparent interest in his mis-
tress. AliX had avoided him. She
had felt that the old servant disap-
proved of her. More than once she
had thought of discharging him but
he had never given her grounds that
would justify her before Gerry. Now
he was ordering her to bed and in
stead of being angry she was soothed
She wondered how she could ever have
thought of discharging him. He seemed
strong and restful, more like part of
the old house than q servant. Alix
got up, mo, don't call the maid.
won't need her." she said. Then she
added, Goodnight, john" as she
passed out.
John held wide the door and bowed
with Difference that was a touch more
sincere than usual. He answered,
''Good-night," as If he meant it.
Alix was exhausted but 1t was long
before she fell asleep. She cried soft
ly. She wanted to be comforted. She
had dressed so beautifully-she had
been SO beautiful-and Gerry had not
come home. AS she cried, her disap
pointment grew into great trouble.
She awoke early from a feverish
sleep. Immediately sense Of weight
assailed her. She rang and learned
that Gerry had not yet come home.
Then his words of yesterday suddenly
came to her. eff l dropped out of the
world today" AIix stared wide
eyed at the ceiling Why had she re-
membered those words? She lay for
long time thinking. Her breakfast
was brought to her but she did not
touch it. 1t was almost noon in the
cloudy Sunday morning when she
reused herself from apathy. She
sprang from the bed. She summoned
Judge Healey with note and Mrs.
Lansing with a telegram. The tele-
gram was carefully worded, please
come and stay for a while Gerry is
away"
The judge found Alix radiating the
freshness of a beautiful woman care
full of her person, but it was the fresh
ness of a pale flower Alix was grave
and her gravity had a sweetness that
made the judges heart bound. He
felt an awakening in her that he had
long watched for. She told him all
the story of the day before in a steady
monotone that omitted nothing and
gave the facts only their own weight
When she finished the judge patted
her hand. ''You would make a SPLEEN
did witness, my DEAR" he said. "Now,
what you want is for me to find Gerry
and bring him back, isn't it? Are you
sure Gerry knew nothing of your-er
excursion to the station?"
Alix shook her head 'From the
time he left my room and the house
he has not been back"
HAS he been to the club?''
Alix colored family. 81 see," said
the judge quickly. "PH ask there.
I'll go now" He went off and all
that day he sought in vain for trace
of Gerry. He went to all his haunts
in the city-he had telephoned to those
outside. At night he returned to AIix
but it was Mrs. Lansing that received
him in the library
The judge was tired and his buoy.
'ancy had deserted him. He told her
of his failure. Mrs. Lansing was
thoughtful but not greatly troubled.
Gerry" she said, ''has a level head.
He can take care of himself" She
went to tell Alix that there was no
news. When she came back the judge
turned to her. We'll" he asked, what
did she say?"