Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15

| the longest time there. L shall invite
some more people to join US, and we
viii have a regular big party in honor
of the suspicious event"
The scheme was further mooted at
breakfasttime on the following day.
Unfortunately for Mr.. komnev-Rom-
ney's idea of "a regular big party it
appeared that large portion of the
company, consisting of Mr.. and Mrs.
iBoxalI and their three children, had
already arranged to 60 to canterbury
| by coach On Thursday. The Rev.
Septimus Macrory, with his wife and
sister, were going with them, and their
places on the coach were already
booked. Miss Herncastle, however,
after some little persuasion, coneented
on behalf of herself and sister to
honor the party, always provided the
weather and the sea were propitious.
The last two visitors-Mr Huntley, a
middle-aged bachelor of iovial dispos.
ition, and Mr. Octavius Prout, a vacu-
Gus youth from the stock exchange,
at present bopelessly victimized by
Mabel WILLIAMSBURG missed to join the
excursion as a matter of course.
This was the second day since Bart
lett bad written to his partner. No
answer awaited him, however; and as
time went on, and he found himself
under the influence Of Kate, more and
more interested in the happiness of
the Williams family, he began to hope
devoutly that he would hear no more
Of Mr.. Romney Romney's portrait.
GA the Thursday morning, which
dawned bright and calm, and every
thing desirable, the Boulogue party
were on the move early. The Louise
Dagmar, which was to carry them for
their trip, started at $50, and it was
desirable to be on board in coed time,
in order to secure places before the
arrival of the tidal train from London.
Consequently, there was rather a
scamper over breakfast. Frank Bart
lett came in late from his morning
SWIM. A note for him lay on the
table. He recognized his partners
hand writing, but IN his hurry was
obliged to slip the envelope into his
pocket unopen ed. Before he had done
breakfast carriages came to take them
down to the harbor, and In the hustle
Of getting away, and anxiety of look
ing after Kate Williams cloak and
parasoI and other small belongings,
his letter for the moment slipped his
memory.
They found themselves in capital
time. When they reached the boat,
and comfortable places had been Sc
cured for the ladies on deck, it still
wanted twenty minutes to the time of
starting. Mr.. Romney- Romney was
then seen whispering something to
Bertha, and presently he hurried of:
on shore.
! Where has he gone too" asked Mrs.
Williams.
''To get some flowers" answered
Bertha. II told him not to go, but ne
said there was plenty Of time, Oh, I
hope he won't be late! Mr.. Bartlett,
do you think he will?"
HE need not" said Bartlett.
''There is shop just across the har-
Dor. He could go there and back in
ten minutes if he chose to run"
Shortly after the train from London
came in, and for the next ten minutes
they were all busy watching the con-
tinental tourists swarn1ing on board.
When, however, at the end of a quar-
ter of an hour Mr. Romney- R0mney
had not returned, the ladies manifest
ed considerable uneasiness. The pas
sengers were all on board: the pile of
luggage on the quay was being rapidly
reduced; and yet he did not appear
AS the harbor clock struck the half
hour, and the steamer-whistle roared
out Justly, Bertha Williams stood up
ovo1 1oC7-oI bo
her lips nerveusly. Then the last
pOrtmanteau came laundering down
on deck, and the gang-way was drawn
up. There was an interchange Of
signals between the captain
and theI shore, shout Or two,
and splash as the cables were cast
off, and then waiver ran through the
beat, and the quay suddenly appeared
to move away, and Bertha dropped
back in her chair with a sob which
would not be repressed, for they were
Off, and Mr.. Romncy-Romney was
left behind.
''Don't be frightened" said Bartlete
to the ladies generally. Perhaps h.
has slipped on board and gone below
will &c and look"
He had not much faith in his own
theory, but he moved away as ne
spoke, and looked through every part
of the steamer. He was soon CON
WINGED that their friend was not on
board. At this point he suddenly
remembered the letter in his pocket.
He hurriedly broke the seal, and read
as follows:
DEAR BARTLETT: I was playing
truant yesterday, or should have
answered yours sooner. The portrait
you send looks uncommonly like our
OLD friend Harris, alias ''R9many, of
the Southeastern bank case, I have
sent the picture on to scotland yard
for further inquiry, and will Let you
know the result. Meanwhile keep
your eyes open, and don't let Mr..
Romney- Romney give you the slip.
He is pretty sure to know you.
Yours truly,