Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-15
1lG Evil Genius.
A DOMESTIC STORY.

In spite of Mrs. Presty, in spite of himself,
his heart softened toward the man who had
behaved so badly to him. Instead of read
ing the letter he WAS now trying to discover
a connection between his brothers visit to
the club and hi. brothers angry message.
Had Herbert heard something said among
gosSiping members in the smoking-room
which might account for his conduct? If
Randall had belonged to the club he would
have gone there to make inquiries How
could lie get the information that he wanted
in some ether way?
After considering for while he remem-
bered the dinner that he had given to his
friend Sarrazin on his return from the United
States, ana the departure of the lawyer to
his club with purpose in view which inter
ested them both. 1t was the same club to
which Herbert belonged, Randall wrote at
once to Mr. Sarrazin, mentioning what had
happened and acknowledging the anxiety
that weighed on his mind.
Having instructed Malcolm to take the let
ter to the lawyers house, and, if he WAS not
at home, to inquire where he might be found,
Randall adopted the readieSt means of com
posing himself, in the servants absence, by
lighting his pipe.
He was envcloped in clouds of tobacco
smOke-the only clouds which we can trust
never to prove unworthy of our confidence
in them-When Mrs. Presty's letter caught
his attention. If the month had been .Janu-
airy instead of July, he would have thrown
it into the fire. Under present circumstances
he took it up and read it.
II bear no malice, dear Randall, and |
write TO you as atfectOnately as if you had
kept your temper on the occasion when we
last met.
you will be pleased to hear that Gather
inc was as thoroughly distressed as you could
wish her to be- when it became my Disagree
able duty to mention what had passed be-
tween u.s. by way Of accounting for your alb
sence. She was quite unable to rally her
spirits, even with dear Capt BennyCleck
present to encourage her,
am not receiving you as | ought she
said to him, when we began dinner but
there is, perhaps, some excuse for me. L have
lost the regard and esteem of an old friend,
who has cruelty wrOngGd me- From mo-
tIveS OF dellcacy (Which | don't expect you
to UnderStand) she refrained from mention
ing your name. You still keep your place.
your unmerlted place, in the captains eSti-
nation. He asked no embarrassing CUES
lions; he was too eXquSitey polite to at
tempt to lnSlnuate himself into GATHERINGS
confidence. The pTcttiest answer that | ever
heard was the answer that lie addressed to
her. Let the true friend he said, take the
has lost
He kissed her hand. If you had seen how
lie d.ti 1t, and how she looked at him. YOU
would have felt that you had done more to-
ward perSuauing my daughter to marry the
captain than any other person about her,
myself included. You had deserted her;
You had thrown her back on the one friend
left. Thank you, Randall. Ii our best in
terpSts, thank YOU.
1t is needless to add that [ got out of the
way, and took Kitty with me. at tie earliest
Oppnrtunity-and left them by themselves
AT bedtime | went INFO Catheril 5 room.
Our interview began ana c3nGd in IraS than
Il minute. 1t was useless II ask ii the cap
tain had proposed marriage; her agitation
sufficiently Informed me OF what had hap
pened. My one question was: Dearest
Catherine have you said yes?' She turned
ShOckingly pale and answered: Il have not
said no. Could anything be- more encOur-
aging? God bless you; gOod-by for the pres
ent ArdbeLLn PrcSty.'
Randall laid down the letter and filled his
pipe again. He was not in the least exaS-
perated; he was only anxious to hear from
Mr.. Sarrazin. II Mrs. Presty had seen him
at that moment she would have said to her
self: Il forgot the wretch was smoker"
In half an hour more the door WAS opened
by Malcolm, and Mr.. SarraZin entered the
room.
''There are no such incoTigibe gossips,"
he said, las men in the SmOking-rOom of a
club. IaGsa E'lnuiar newspapers began the
mischief-and the editor of 0ne Of them com
pleted it. How he got his information l am
not able to say. The sinall-talk turned on
that report about the charming widow; and
the editor congratulated himself on the deli
cacy OF his conduct. when the paragraph
reached me- he said, the writer mentioned
that Mrs. Ormond was that well-known
lady the divorced Mrs. Herbert Linley.
thought this rather too bad, and [ cut it out ,
Your brother appears to have been present
but he seldom goes to the club, and none Of
the members knew him even by sight Shall
[ give you light? Your pipes out"
Randal'S feelings at that moment were not
within reach of the comforting influence of
tobacco.