The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-07-13
CHAPTER XIV.
Mr.. QUESTS DISCOVERIES.


Mr.. QUESTS DISCOVERIES.
The morrow came, wild and stormy,
much too disagreeable for a man welded
to his own comfort, as Mr. Killuth was,
to brave the weather. He had glimpses
through the blurred windows of the toss
ing. dull gray sea, of yacht riding ut
anchor in the cove, of draggled-looking
! trees and rain-washed cottages, and an
occasional umbrella covered pedestrian
splashing over the muddy road. He
had yawned over the yesterday papers,
had been bored by the conversational
landlord, and with the clock pointing
to the hour of two, was reduced to the
last resource of staring blanklv into the
suffering wood fire which had been
lighted on the hearth as relief from
staring out at the down-driving rain.
And this was the reward for his sacri.
flee, in tardily keeping his promise to
Launt.
g 1t wasn't necessary to come all this
distance to pay my respects to the
madame" thought he. 1T was my
interest in the young fellow himself
which brought me down. Much thanks
/ have for it, too. Five minutes call
and shake-hands last evening will ex-
cuse him from any such duty to-day,
though he must know l am shut in by
this confoundedly miserable rain in the
most utterly stupid hole it was ever my
fortune to drop into. He wouldn't run
the risk of being laid up by two weeks
rheumatism if he was to venture out.
l never went out of my way to do a
a int tod hat II
greet it, SO it follows in the natural
course that l must regret this
He got up to walk about the room,
and some moving object on the road
without caught his eye. 1t was
carriage which drew up before the ho-
tel, the driver on the box presenting a
glistening surface of rubber coat and
cap, the horses stepping uneasily as if
unused to Drawing such weather, and
Launt Harrington, holding an umbrella.
springing lightly to the sidewalk, and
turning to assist some second person
from the vehicle. Mr.. Killuth had but
fitting glimpse of the shrouded fig
ure, then both entered, and a moment
after Launt's step could be heard on the
stairs, and he burst impetuously into
the room.
down in the doldrums, Killuth?
/ felt sure that you would be, so have
not only come myself to cheer you up,
but have brought you visitor; one
who is treating you with more consid-
Grafton than you deserve ut her hands.
She is waiting below, but with your per-
mission l will bring herup. She wants
to speak few words with you in pri-
vate, and very important they must be
to brig her out on day like this"
''Is it Madame Farrington9''
1T is Mrs. Oliphant. She heard me
say something about walking over, and
insisted upon having the carriage out
and coming along. want to bespeak
your kindness, my friend, if her mission
has reference to me-"
He was sure that it must. Mr.. Oil
plant and Madame Harrington had
been won to his side; the date Of the
wedding was under discussion; it was
conceded that it should take place in
September, yet Launt felt that Mrs. Oil
plant was far from being reconciled.
at isn't in nature for a man to love
his mother-in-law, / suppose, and rice
ttfSd. hc Sdll W Dul IuN
mother-in-law-elect outdoes her type
Mr.. Kiliuth faced the door rs it
opened. 1t was his first meeting with
his old friends daughter, face to face,
and he looked in vain for any resem-
blance to the slip of a girl whom he
vaguely remembered as q rose-fair,
dark-eyed blonde. The dark eyes were
here, larger, darker, if that might be;
the glitter of the golden hair was the
same, yet time had not dealt lightly |
with her. What struck upon him most |
was the fixed, pale, wax-like color of |
the handsome face, almost the color of |
a corpse.
al would have known you." she said,
giving him her hand. .'You have |
changed so little But l hardly think |
you woc,i recognize me-
what vas it made Mr.. Killuth |
shrink away from her touch? Horror,
amazement, incredulity, all were de-
picted upon his countenance.
"You are-not Mrs. Oliphant-
Il am Mrs. Oliphant."
No change in the soft, low tone; no |
change in the face turned steadily to his
regard.
..You are like many others who find |
it impossible to reconcile the woman
of to-day with the girl of eighteen or
twenty years ago. dare say am !
sadly changed. have not come to |
talk of that old time, Mr.. Killuth, so far |
as it concerns me, but to ask She |
hesitated. The great difficulty of her