Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-05-09

A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.
BY MINNIE DOUGLAS.

taken up MS aDOue at tHo Lang Han
this year. There is some pleasure IN
waiting on q gentleman who tips half
sovereign as freely as an Eaglls
man does a shilling.
Mr.. Jonathan Lee was evidently a
millionaire, and man who under
stood how TO enjoy himself. His
wife was a thin, oyerdresSed woman
of forty, whose face had once been
pretty, but that was long ago; and
whose aim in life, beng childless,
was the acquisition of new clothes
and jeweIry. She never tired Of
changing her dresses, and was rarely
seen wearing one second time in
public.
Mr.. Lee had passion for sending
kilograms. He seldom wrote letter,
but bombarded his friends with mes
sages on matters of no Importance
always, to do him justice, preparing
reply.
One day-it was one Of horrid
days, and an east wind was blowing
Mrs. Lee observed: II can't see
tho use of paying a shilling for tele-
gram that nobody cares to get.
'And what's the use of giving forty
guineas for dress that noboeI y cares
to see "Tetorted Mr.. Lee; which caused
his wife to nounce the one she was
wearing into the nearest armchair,
where she devoted herattention to the
last fashion book.
But one day there came a telegram
which had crossed the Atlantic, and
the news it contained, whether it were
good or bad, caused Mr.. Jonathan
Lee to take an atiectional leave of his
wife, previous to starting on a short
journey. The wording Of the message
was thus;
English gent has got the papers.
Amongst the woods and hills of
Surrey stands fine old stone man
sion belonging to Sir Andrew Cor
don. In the library of the house the
members OF the family were assem-
bled one evening, and the family
consisted of the old baronet and his
son Archibald, an antiquated aunt of
the latter, Miss Dorothy Gordon, and
Constance Gwyne, Sir Andrews
ward, n beautiful glrl Of nearly eight
cen.
"rhere will be a storm tonight.
Hank how the wind is rising" said
Miss Dorothy, with ashiyer. Its a
mercy your travels are over Andrew"
eyes" said the old man, holding
his hands toward the fire; I'm bet
ter pleased with the safety of my own
stone walls than the best mail steam
er that ever crossed the Atlantic. But
now I'll ring for lights; and Archie,
my boy, come over and try and under
stand some of the mysteries contain
cd in these yellow papers"
Archie, n handsome, fair haired
fellow of twenty three, had been rest
ing Mt full length and that was over
SIX feet-on comfortable sofa, watch
ing lazily the charming figure of his
fathers ward, who persistently look
ed every way but his
"rIl come; but don't suppose |
shall make anything out of them, J"
he answered, rising slowly.
My boy, it is most important
quite fortune for you. Your poor
mother never knew of it, were the
words Constance heard as she sat idly
in her low chair near the fire THE
papers are worth Two thousand n
year The rascal who has kept them
back would give something TO know
where they are now" chuckleI the
old baronct, as he spread out the
cracking letters and large sheet of
parchment on table, Sthe butler
meanwhile arranging ready lamp
to suit his ElaStc" in so leisurely a
manner as to call forth an impatient
exclamation of THAT will do, that
will do
Simmons respectfully took the hint,
and now busted himself with the
heavy curtains, having noiselessly
closed the shutters
There is a cold draught, " murmur.
cd Miss Dorothy. Don't you feel it
Coustance2N
Not bit, replied Constance, as
she rose to get her work basket; "but
the wind will get IN such night as
this
Simmons retired. and Archie OBJ
served:
Tn awfully glad that fellow is
leaving; no walks like a cat.
" Indeed, cried norothy, qucrlous-
ly. II think your R.other does wrong
to part with him; we have never had
so quiet a servant
Never mind the man attend to
met cried Sir Andrew. You must
particularly try to remember this
Archie, only outwardly listening,
was exhibiting some of those provok-
ing symptoms which lover shows
after there has been a cloud in the at
mosphere, and the lady has managed
to get the best of it.
Constance Gwynn seemed to re.
member something aud left the room,
When she returned after a quarter of
an hours absence, the butler had en-
tared with tray of glasses and the
requisites for Andrews ''night-cap"
of whisky toddy. The baronet folded
the papers into a neat bundle, and
locked them in an old fashioned cab
met
''rsey will be safe here to night; to-
morrow will take them to the law
yer's, he said, placing the key i'll his
pocket. Then turning to his ward he
inquired, How is Gelert, my fair
ladyR'
II don't think he is well, Sir An
drew, I've just been TO see HIM"
"ConStancew cried Miss Dorothy
scandalized, ''have you been out to the
dog kennel at this hour and on such
night3"
YES, Miss Dorothy-and it is much
too cold for the poor fellow to be left
out there"
Now, my love-" deprecated the old
lady, waving one delicate hand in
token that her will was law, never
mention the idea of bringing that
enormous dog into the house,
The ghost of pout came into Con
stances sweet face
There, there said Sir Andrew,
merrily; don't fret, Constance.
Gelert shall have skilled physician
tomorrow, if you think him i'll. 1
shouldn't mind his coming into the
house, but our tyrant here, you
see," aud he shrugged his shout
ders.
Archie" softly whispered the
girl, as he lit her candle for her,
twill you see Gelerti' and she raised
her beautiful grey eyes appealingly
to his. A merry look of triumph
passed over his face.
''Yes, if you promise not to play
chess with the curate tomorrow.