The Hartford herald., 1875-02-10

"Yes have seen much of her since
we came here" replied Mrs. Yorke.
"Do you think she would make good
wife"
IL think her very am liable, nice girl,
quite q lady Yes, 1 am sure she would.
] Who is going to marry herr
81 don't know yet whether any one is, /"
he answered with a smile. "But-peo-
pie tell me l must marry, or lose my
practice, for my patients say they will
have family man to attend them, not a
bachelor. So l have been looking round
about me, and begin to think that Lucy
Maskill would be suitable"
Mrs. Yorke laughed. "Oh, Mr.. JAN
sonl How cody you speak, As coolly
as you might if you were only going to
take on new surgery'boy. These af-
fairs should always be cased round with
romance."
He shook his head. Romance died
out for me years ago" For one moment
their eyes met perhaps unwittingly; and
then both looked determinedly at the fire
again,
"Ilike Lucy Maskill much" heresumed;
$50 far as liking goes. And-I believe"
"a smile hovered on his lips-"that she
likes me"
"Let it take place, then, Mr.. Janson.
And | earnestly hope you will be happy.
Believe ne, you both shall have my best
prayers and wishes for it" was Mrs.
Yorke's answer. She was pleased that
Mr.. Janson was going to be happy at last,
for she knew that she had once tried his
heart severely. In the earnestness of her
content, she put her hand into his, as she
spoke-put it as single-hearted, honest
woman would. And Mr.. Janson clasped
it, and leaned over towards her and
thanked her kindly.
What dark shadow was that outside
the window, with its face pressed against
the pane? A face whose expression just
then, was as the face of a demon, whose
They saw it not; but as their hands met,
and Mr.. Janson leaned nearer to his COM
panion, a noise, half savage growl, half
shrek of defiance, escaped it. They heard
that.
what is that sound2" exclaimed Mrs.
Yorke, turning towards the window.
Nothing was there then.
Somebody in the road come to grief
in the fog" suggested Mr.. Janson. "Or
a nj ght-bird, probably. Shall l see Leo
pold now?'
Mrs. Yorke opened the room door and
called to the child, who came running
in. Then Mr.. Janson left. IL hope l
shall get home," said he jokIngly.
Maria kept Leopold with her, and the
time passed more swiftly than she thought
| By-and-by, one of the servants came in
! to know if he should serve dinner.
"Why, what time is it2' inquired his
mistress.
"Ever so much past six, ma'am."
81 had no idea it was so late"
"It was striking five when Mr.. Janson
left" said the man.
Mrs. Yorke chose to wait; but when it
grew near seven, she ordered the dinner
to be served. She thought her husband
had stopped to dine with some sporting
acquaintance, or had lost his way in the
fog. Scarcely had she sat down to it
when she heard him enter, and go straight
up stairs; his step, as she fancied un usu-
ally quiet.
candle?" che wondered Perhaps he
thinks he can wash his hands in the dark,
and would not wait for one."
Maria" called out Mr.. Yorke, his
loud tones echoing through the house.
She rose and went to the door, YES"
Bring me up light, will your Bring
it yourself"
"What fad now?" thought Mrs. Yorke.
II take it upr' But she lighted cham>
Der candle, and went up stairs with it, the
servants, who were waiting at the table,
wondering. Her husband was standing
inside their bedroom door, which was all
but closed nothing to be seen of him but
his one hand stretched out for the light?
"Where have you been SO late? Did the
fog cause you to miss your wayY'
He did not reply, only took the light
from her. She pushed the door, wishing
to enter, but it resisted her efforts, "Let
me come in," she said; al have some news
for you. Olivia Hardisty's come"
Not word of reply was vouchsafed to
her. Only the door banged to in hel face,
and the key of it turned
"He is sulky again." thought Maria
come home while Mr.. Janson was here
Make haste" she eondescended to cal
out, as she retreated, IL have begun din
ner.
Mr.. Yorke soon came down, dressed
A mark of attention given to Miss Har
disty, Maria supposed; or, so late as that
he would scarcely have troubled to dress
He did not speak, and did not eat; but h
drank freely. He seemed also to have beef
drinking previously. A failing he was no
given to.
81 asked you why you were SO late,
said Maria.
You answered yourself" was the re
ply-"That | lost my way. The fog wa
dense"
"The fog seems to have taken ava
your appetitei and to have made yo
thirsty"
Luncheon did both. The meat wa
salt"
"Where did you take luncheon?"
"At Squire Hipgraves."
, "Have you had good sport?"
"Middling. Who can shoot in a fog?
"You have brought no birds homer"
81 left them at Hipgrave's."
, "Pheasants, suppose.
"Yes wish you would not keep u
this running fire of questions, Mari;
My head aches"
Mrs. Yorke ceased, and eat her dinner
l. AS the cloth was being removed, he
guest came in. Also Leopold NJ
Yorke was compelled to exert himself
little then. but he had partaken too freel
5 of wine, and Mrs. Yorke was vexed, f
> she believed it must be apparent to Mi
IIardisty.
"How we'll Leopold looks, considerir
i his long illnessl" remarked Miss Hardi
o ty.