The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-08-22
CHAPTER X.-CoSr1NuEp.

tJOruon! gOOd-fIioTnlng, SIT LOU uuo
US in rather disturbed condition this
morning. am sorry did not think
of asking you to come to breakfast.
But, perhaps. under all the circum-
stances, it was better not That dread
full msn had put us sadly about. He is
the unfortupate husband of my hardly
less unfortunate housekeeper.
Yes. sir, he is my husband, that's
true" said Mrs. Baggett
I'm very much attached to my wife,
il YOU knew all about it, sir; 9nd |
wants her to come home with me.
Service amt no inheritance; nor vet
amt wages, when they never amounts
TO more than twenty pounds year.
Its thirty, you false, ungrateful
beast'' said Mrs. Baggett. But Mr..
Whittlestaff had led the way into the
garden. and John Gordon had followed
him. Before they reached the hall
door. Mary Lawiie had met them.
Lob, Mr.. Whittlestaf p she said. sis
it not annoying? that dreadful man
with the wooden leg is here, and co.,
Letting crowd round the place. Good
morning, Mr.. Gordon. Ii is the poor
womau's ne 'er-do-well husband. She is
herself so decent and respectable that
she viii be greatly harrassed. What
can we do, Mr.. Nhittlcstaff! Can't we
ret policeman" In this way the con-
SerSatien WIS led away to the affairs of
Sergeant and Mrs. Baggett, to the in
efa5le distress of John Gordon. When
we remember the kind of speeches
which Gordon intended to utter it must
he admitted that the interruption was
provoking. Even if Mary would leave
Them together. it would DC difficult to
!ali back upon the sub ect which Cor
aoa had at heart
Bat John Gordon could not postpone
Is moment. He could not go on resid-
ing indefinitely at the Claimants Arms
ill be could tnd proper opportunity
Tor assuring Mr.. Nhittlestaff that it
rould not be his duty to marry Mary
i.awrie He must rush 81 his subject,
let the result be what II might. He
lad no hopes as 20 a favorable result.
Was it natural that man should give
up his intended wife, simply because he
was asked? G0rdon's present feeling
was an anxious desire to be on board
the ship that should take him again to
the tiiamoad-fields, so that he might be
at peace, knowing then, as he would
know. that he had lett Mary Lawrie be-
bird forever At this moment he al
most repented that he had not left
Arlesford without any further attempt
Hut there he was on Mr.. Whittle>taff' $
ground. and the attempt must be made,
If only with the OBJ ect of justifying his
coming.
Miss Lawrie," he began. '.if YOU
would not mind leaving me and Mr..
WhiJtlestaf alone together for few
minutes, will be obliged to you.''
This he said with soiemnity, so that MIR.
Whittlestatf drew himself up, and looked
hard and stiff. rs though he were de-
termined to forget Sergeant Bagsett
and all his peecadilloes for the moment
Oh yes; certainly; but Mr..
Whitttestaff looked sternly at her, as
Though he Did her 90 ut once. You
must believe nothing as coming from
me unless it comes from out of M own
mouth" Then she put her hand upon
his arm. as though half embracing him.
You had better leave US, perhaps"
said Mr.. Whittlestatf And then she
went
Now the moment had come. and
John Gordon felt the difficulty. Il had
not been lessened by the assurance Civ
ea By Miss Mary herself that nothing
was to be taken as having come from
her unless It was known and heard to
have so come. And vet he was thor
oughlr convinced that he was altOgeth-
er loved BY her, and tar had he ap-
peared on the scene but day sooner,
She would have accepted him with al.
her heart ..Mr Whitttestaf. he said,
Il want to tell you what passed yester'
day between me and Miss Lawrie-"
lis it necessarily he asked.
Il think il Is.
AS far as am concerned. l doubt
the necessity. Miss Lawrie has said 8
word to me; as much l presume, as shC
feels to be necessary
IL do not think her feeling in the
matter should be guide for you or fol
me. What we have both of US to do |:
to think what may be best for her. anc
to effect that as far as may be within
our power. =
"Certainiv," said Mr.. Whittlestaff
But probably You and differ mate
rally as TO thinking what may be best
for her. As far as | understand tbs
matter you wish that she should b
,your wife. l wish that she should bs
mine l think that rs my wife she
would live happier life than she coult
do as YOURS: and as she thinks also
Here Mr. Whittlestaf paused.
.But does she think sos',
"You heard what she said .ust now.
Il heard nothing as TO her thought
of living said John Gordon. NO
in the interview which had with he
Yesterday did / hear q word fall from
her as TO herself We have got to form
our IDEAS as to that from circumstance:
which shall certainly not appear By he
osn speech When you speak agsins
ME
Il have not said word against you
SIR
--Perhaps you imply, said Gordon
not stopping to notice Mr. White
staff angry tone. perhaps you impl.
TINT NV lie may be that of rover. ane
as sub would not conduce to Mis-
Lagrie' happiness.
II have implied nothing"
TO suit her wishes would remain
altogether in England. WAS Yer,
lucky, and am not 4 man greedy o
great wealth. She can remain here
and [ will satisfy YOU that there shai
be enough for our Joint maintenance.
What do I care for your maiute
nance. or what does she2 Doyou know
sir. that you are talking to me about
lady whom intend to make my wife
who is engaged to marry me? Good
mass ,r-aci.T1s me -