The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-10-24
CHAPTER XXI.
THE GREEN PARK.


CHAPTER XXI.
THE GREEN PARK.
He asked whether Mr.. John Gordon
was within, and in two minutes found
himself standing in the hall with that
hero of romance. Mr.. Whittlestaff told
himself, as he looked at the man, that
he was such hero as ought to be hap
py in his love. Whereas of himself
he was conscious of personal appear
ance which no girl could be expected
to adore. He thought too much of his
personal appearance generally, COM
planning to himself that it was mean;
whereas in regard to Mary Lawrie, it
may be said that no such idea had ever
entered her mind at was just be-
cause be had come first" she would
have said if asked. And the "he"
alluded to would have been John Cor
don. "He had come first, and there
fore L had learned to love him." 1t
was thus that Mary Lawrie would have
spoken. But Mr.. Whittestaff. as he
looked up into John Gordon's face, felt
that he himself was mean.
"You got my letter, Mr.. GordoaP"
"Yes, got it last night"
81 have come up to London because
there is something that want to say to
you. 1t is something that l can't very
well put up into letter, and therefore
/ have takea the trouble TO come to
town" AS he said this he endeavored, no
doubt, to assert his own dignity by the
look which he assumed. Nor did he
intend that Mr. Gordon should know
anything of the struggle which he had
endured.
But MIR. Gordon knew as well what
Mr. Whittlestaf had to say as did Mr..
Whittlestaff himself. He had turned
the matter over in his own mind since
the letter had reached him, and was
aware that there could be no other
cause for seeing him which could bring
Mr.. Whittlestaff up to London. But a
few days since he had made an appeal
to Mr.. Whittlestaff-a appeal which
certainly might require much thought
for its answer-and here was MIR. Whit
tlestaff with his reply. 1t could not
have been made quicker. 1t was thus
that John Gordon had thought of it as
he had turned Mr.. Whittlestaff7s letter
over in his mind. The appeal had
been made readily enough. The max
ing of it had been easy; the words to
be spoken had come quickly, and with
out the necessity for a moments pre-
meditation. He had known It all, and
from full heart the mouth speaks.
But was 1t TO have been expected that
a man so placed as had been Mr.. Whit
tlestaa, should be able to give his reply
with equal celebrity? He, John Cor
don, had seen at once, on reaching
Cookers Hall, the state in which things
were. Almost hopelessly he had made
his appeal to the man who had her
promise Then he had met the man at
Mr.. Halls house. and hardly a word
had passed between them. What word
could have been expected? Montagu
Blake, with all his folly, had Judged
rightly in bringing them together.
When he received the letter John Cor
don had remembered that last word
which Mr.. Whittlestatf had spoken to
him in the squire's hall. He had
thought of the appeal, and had resolved
TO give an answer to it. 1t was an ap-
peal which required an answer. He
had turned it over in his mind, and had
at last told himself what the answer
should be. John Gordon had discov-
cred all that when he received the let
ter, and it need hardly be said that his
feelings in regard to Mr.. Whittlestaf
were very much kinder than those o.
Mr.. Whittlestatf to him.
Perhaps you wouldn't mind coming
out into the street," said MIR. Whittle
staff. Il can't say very well what I've
got to say in here"
Certainly" said Gordon; 81 will q
anywhere"
.'Let us go into the Park. 1t i:
green there, and there is some shade
among the trets." Then they went Out
of the club into Pail Mali, and Mr.
Whittlestatf walked on ahead without 5
word. NO; we will not go dowr
there he said, as he passed the en-
trance into st. James Park by Marl
borough House, and led the way
through st. James Palace into the
Green Park. well 90 on till we
come to the trees; there are seats there
unless the people have occupied them
all One can't talk here under the
blazing sun at least, l can't" Their
he walked on at rapid pace, wipins
his brows as he did so. ayes, there's s
seat! FL be hanged if thst man ISM
going to sit down upon it, What beasl
that another man is occupying. l DOM
want any one to hear what I've got te
say. There! Two women have gone
a little farther on" Then he hurried
to the vacant bench and took possession
of it, 1t was placed among the thics
trees, which give perfect shade on the
north side of the Park, and had Mr.
Whittlestaff searched all London
through, he could not have found 8
more pleasant spot in which to make
his communication. 'This will do
said he
Every nicely, indeed" said John Cor.
don.
Il couldn't talk about absolutely pri-
vate business in the hall o. the club, you
know"
81 could have taken you into pri-
vate room, MIR. Whittlestatf, had you
wished it,
with everybody coming in and out,
Just as they pleased. l dom. believe
in private rooms in London clubs. What
I've goi tQ,Sav can be said better sab dio.
suppose You know what it is that I've
got to talk about"
Hardly said John Gordon. "But
that is not exactly true. think l know.
but am not quite sure Of it. On such
a subject should not ike TO make q
surmise unless were confident"
Its about Miss Lawrie."
al suppose So"
''What makes You suppose that?' said
WhIttiaStaH sbarplx