The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-15
Storm.
PETERS DISCOVERY.
III GRACE TERRY.


oily tones of Peter Catkin; regard for the name
tina, is so closely allied to mine. 1t is impossible
for Inc to tell you how disagreeable duty find
it"
at is unnecessary; I can imagine it."
There was covert irony in these words
which, though quite lost upon the seli-compla-
cent individual TO whom they were addressed
Was plainly understood by the sharp-featured
woman, who, seated by window, appeared to
be watching furtiyely through the blinds the
house opposite.
''And We thought, too" she said in voice as
acid as her husbands was bland and soft, THAT
il you was foolish enough 10 marry giddv girl
Of less than half your years, you ought TO be wise
enough to look little after her.
Mark Wayland WINGED little at this thrust
lie mas evidently past the prime of life. There
were faint lines across the ample brow, while
among the jetty rings of hair that clustered
above it, were threads of silver. But his
one OF those faces that never grow old, while
there was Il mingled dignity and goodness in his
bearing, far more attractive than the bloom Of
youth.
But as Mark glanced involuntarily toward
the mirror opposite, he saw only those traces up
on the brow, the CLEAN Of silver among the hair ;
and, as he contrasted them with the light, the
bloom, the youthful grace of his fair, grlish
wife, the poisoned arrow aimed at his peace
ranked deep-far deeper than he would have
r'ic eyes that were watching him suspect
g He will be out in just five minutes" remark
ed Mrs. Catkin, glancngat her watch. lie in
vari;bly goes in at precisely half-past two stay
ing just half an hour"
- " Which you will observe, cousin, il Just at the
time when you arc least likely to be ut home,
insnuatcd Mr.. Catkn. with the Aes;tsting air Of
one who regrets TO allude TO such disa.rseabe
circumstance, but whose sense IT duty will not
allow him to be silent.
4 faint flush crossed Mr. Wayland's brow; the
office of spy repugnant to his honorable
nature, and he grew half indignant with himself
for listening to these a.persons Of the fair fame
Of her who had committed her honor to his
keeping. Bat before he could give expression to
this feeling, Mrs. Catkin exclaimed, in a tone of
triumph
There hc is ust exactly as l told You"
Mr.. Waylanl's eyes, following her, fell ypon
man who was just descending the steps Of the
Mouse opposite. He could see that he Was young,
guod.looking, and with rather Frenchfed air;
bat il being common, now-a-davs. for Americans
10 ape the way of foreigners it WIS impossible
for him to tell, al that distance, whether natural
ar acquired.
From one OF the upper windows a fair young
face glanced out, a, if to watch his progress ap.
parently satisfied when he disappeared around
corner
Pous Peter Cutkin croaned and shook his
head.
Dear, dear me to think that ono 30 young
should be capable Of so much deceit-such base
ingratitudc toward her benctactor who has been
n father to her almost from her earlies. r0mem-
brance"
It's Just as | expected said his wife, short
ly, who, with all her malice and ill-nature, had,
1T least, the merit OF sincerity.
~ hope you are now satisfied" she added,
turning TO Mark, who, however troubled he
might be at heart still retained his cheerful
rsnity Of countenance.
Satisfied Of what, cousin Jane That d
strange gentleman has just left my house:
nm satisfied of that because have it, But
surely there is nothing 80 very remarkable in
that circumstance. That Lois may be giddy
and iRconsiderate, | grant you unmindfu of
the jealous eyes that are watching her, eager to
notice and report the slightest youthful indiscrs
ton, but criminal, never, l feel that l have
~roNged both myself and her by listening ~ such
base and groundless susricion. aadifyou value,
you say, my friendship, warn you not to
peat them"
Indignant look that seldom visited the calm,
kind face of their wealthy relative, and whose
favor they valued too highly u lose.
Mrs. Catkn shut her lips together grimly.
the door closed sitter him.
There's none so blind as them that won't see"
she mut,ered. " But, whatever happens, I've
dove my duty and no thanks for it, either
Here, making merit of necessity Mrs. Catkin
vrtuously retired to the recesscs OF tho large
chair in the corner, which she had abandoned to
watch what she was pleased to term 1.-THE scan
dalous proceedings Of Lois Wayland.'
But Mr.. Cat>in did not relinquish the idea SO
easily 1t had been a sore point with him when
his cousin Mark, instead of remaining u bache-
Tor, for the benefit OF his relatives, married and
he never forgave the gentle girl whose sweet
face and win,ome ways had been the cause of
this calamity.
His yrovelng mind was incapable of compre-
hcnding pure disinterestcd Affection that Lois
married his cousin simply because he was u rich
man. was fixed fact with him, and that she
would be false to him at the first opportunity,
was Just as evident. So he taxed his inventive
skill to the utmost to jure up plan by which
she could be surprised into some overt act which
would make it just as clear to her husband.
In the meantime, Mark Wayland crossed over
to his own house. lie entered quietly, by means
OF his latch-key, proceeding directly up stairs to
the room, at the window of which he had seen
his wife a few minutes before.
1t opened out OF Lois dressing-roon, and tho
nominally hers, he had always had free access to
it; it being a favoritc place Of resort to them
both.
Finding it fastened, no gave tho usual number
At taps, donoting his presence; but there was
some little delay and bustis within before it was
opened.
Lois received her husband with the same APP
pearance Of JOY and fondness with which she al.
ways welcomed him; but it did not escape his
watchful eyes, that she was not only SURPRISED,
but embarrassed by his unexpected return.
Mr.. Wayland threw himself down upon a seat