Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-10-31

She Will De after MIN Dy the next
train. Well, it can't be helped. All
I can do is to send a wire 10 warn
him"
Mr.. Parchment mechanically took
up telegraph form as he spoke, and
seized his pen. The next moment,
however, he was confronted by a fresh
difficulty. The letter having disap-
peared, be did not know where to
telegraph to. In vain he racked his
brains to endeavor to recall the ad-
dress. The fact was he had barely
glanced at it, and a moments retiec-
tion convinced him that for all he re-
membered the baronet might be lecat-
ed in any part of the kingdom. as
ill-luck would have it, the envelope
had also disappeared. :,
The lawyer felt doubly vexed with
himself for what had occurred now
that it appeared he was unable to put
his client on guard. 1t was not that
he cared so much about having sub
iectcd the baronet to the inconven-
fence of an interview with his wife,
for, though Sir Eector's father had
been a much.respected client. Mr..
Parchment felt completely inditfer-
ent to the sons good opinion. But se
was an extremely conscientious old
gentleman, and could not acqult
himself of being betrayed, thong "a IN
voluntarily, the confidence of client.
1t was this disquieting though which
fiually induced him, after delIberation,
to return to Lady Bannisters call, In
the hope, at all events, OF succeeding
in obtaining from her the baronets
address. That he could prevent her
from going in search of her hus-
band if she were so minded
did not seem the least prob
able. But he might, at all events,
place himself in a position to warn
Sir Hector of the pleasure In store for
him.
Accordingly Mr.. Parchment resum-
ed his ordinary professional appear
ance and drove straight to Lady Ban
nister's hotel. Lady Bannister always
lived at hotels, and this was another
bone of contention between her and
the lawyer, the latter having con
stantly to find fault with her extrava-
gance while representing her husband
in the capacity of paynaster. On
this occasion, however, it suited Mr..
Parchment to appear as cordial as
possible, and he even went so far as
to express admiration at the rare ex-
otics with which the room was pro
fusely decorated.
81 am glad you admire them, as l
am just about to send the bill into
you," remarked Lady Bannister, who
never attempted to conceal her aver
sion for the lawyer.
You called upon me just now, re-
turned Mr.. Parchment, Ignoring the
question of the flower bill.
Eyes you wero out, -" said Lady Ban
mister, tritely.
II happened to be passing. SO
thought [ would look in, said Mr..
Parchment, nervously.
you are very attentive all of a
sudden" said Lady Bannister with
undisguised irony. "You have
brought your check book with you, OF
course9"
81 shall be writing to Sir Hector,
and thought if you have anything
important to communicates
"Thank you," interrupted Lady
Bannister abruptly; II can make any
communication l wish to make to
my husband without your interven-
ton"
Mr.. Parchment thought he perfectly
understood this remark, ana coughed
uneasily behind his hand.
Had you any-any special reason
for calling upon me this mornlngT
he inquired, quite at loss how to pro
coed.
II called to inquire" said Lady
Bannister, steadying her voice and
speaking with usual earnestness, "if
their is any prospect of an alteration
in Sir Hector's conduct toward me,
am | still to remain the despised and
neglected wife that | have been for
years pasta"
The lady paused abruptly, as though
her speech was checked by suppressed
emotion. Mr.. Parchment shrugged
his shoulders and resigned himself to
listen to the lady's recital of her
wrongs, as he had often done before.
His demeanor appeared to irrltate
L9dy Bannister, for she proceeded
with great volubility to utter sweeping
denunciations of her husbands be-
havior, and was not particular about
hurting the feelings of his legal ad-
wiser.
When she had finished, Mr.. Parch-
ment said dryly: 81 am not aware of
any change in Sir Hector's domestic
arrangements.
Every well Remember that answer
when you next hear news concerning
me-"
The lawyer glanced Involuntary
at Lady Bannister as she uttered these
words She was handsome woman,
still under 80, with dark eyes and a
resolute chin. She met his gaze al
most defantly, and he noticed that her
lips We're firmly cleEched. The look
upon her face, in connection with her
words, made him feel vaguely uneasy,
and recalled to his mind that the i'm
mediate object of his visit was to seek
the means of putting Sir Hector on
his guard against being surprised by
his wife.
Are you going a Journey" he
hazarded, taking up his hat and point
ing with his stick to a bundle of
travelling wraps which reposed upon a
chair.
Eyes, Mr.. Parchment. | am going
a Journey" answered Lady Bannister,
still speaking in the hard defiant tone
which appeared SO significant to the
lawyer.
Mr.. Parchment confessed to him
self that he was no match for Lady
Bannister at the best of times, and to-
day she seemed more than usually
unapproachable He therefore rather
hastily took his departure, without
venturing even to allude to the letter
or to Sir Hector's address, but he was
nevertheless more than ever impressed
with the necessity of communicating
with the baronet
ats my belief she would murder
him as soon as look at him." he
thought to himself. as he took his seat
in the cab again. after telliag the
man to drive to Sir Hector'S club. IF
anything happened | should never
forgive myself. She is Just the sort
of woman to blow a lsan's brains
out, l positively must find out that
address somehow"
He was unable, however. to obtain
the information at either of the clubs
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