Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-04-16
HRS LinIey laid the parasol back on tn,

She never once looked at her mother; her
face, white and rigid, was turned toward
Randall. To him, and to him only. she spoke.
what does my mothers horrible language
meang' she asked
Mrs. Presty triumphed inwardly; chance
had decided in her favor after all. Don't
you see," she said to her daughter, that
am here to answer for myself?'
Mrs LinIey still looked at Randall, and
still spoke to him. at is impossible for me
to insist on an explanation from my mother"
she proceeded. No matter what may feel
must remember that she i. my mother.
ask you again-you VITO have been listening
to her-what does she meant"
Mrs. Presty's sense Of her own Importance
refused to submit to being passed over in this
way.
However in;olently you may behave,
Catherine, you will not succeed in provoking
me. Your mother is bound to open your
eyes to the truth. You have a rival in your
husbands affections and that rival is your
governess. Take your own course now:
have no more to say" With her head high
in the air-looking the picture of conscious
virtue-the Old lady walked out.
At the same moment Randall seized his
first opportunity Of speaking.
He addressed himself gently and respect
fully to his sister-in-law. She refused to
hear him. The Indignation which Mrs.
PreSty had reused in her made no allow
ances, and was blind to all sense of right
Don't trouble yourself to account for your
silence" she said most unjustiy. You were
listening to my mother without word OF re-
monstrance when | came into the room
You are concerned in this vile SANDER, too"
Randall considerably RETAINED from pro.
voking her by attempting to defend himself,
while she was incapable OF understanding
him. you will be sorry when you find that
you have misjudged me" he SAIL and sighed
and left her.
She dropped into a chair. If there was
any one distinct thought in her at that mo-
ment it was the thought OF her husband. She
was eager to see him; she longed to say to
him: MY love, don't believe a word of
itr' lie was not in the garden when she re-
turned for the paraSo, and Sydney was not
In the garden. Wondering what had become
of her father and her govrrHpss Kitty had
asked the nurSem id to look for them. What
had happened since? Where had they been
found? After some hesitation Mrs. Liuley
sent for the nursemaid. She felt the strong
est reluctance. when the girl appeared, to APP
prOach the very inquiries which she was in
tereSted in making.
"llave you found Mr. LinIcy?" she said
with an effort.
Yes ma'am."
Where did you find him?
''ln the shrubbery."
Did your master say any thing?"
II slipped away, ma am, before he saw
me-"
"Why?''
with my master. | might have been mis-
taken" The girl paused and looked con-
fused.
Mrs. Luley tried to tell her to go on. The
words were in her mind, but the capacity of
giving expression to them failed her. She
mpatiently made sign. The sign WAS un-
derStood.
Il might have been mistaken" the maid
repeated-''but | thought Miss WeSteriield
was CRYING"
Having replied in those terms she seemed
To be anxious to get away. The paraSo
caught her eye. Miss Kitty wants this"
she said, "and wonders why You have not
gone EEK To her in the garden. May take
the prraSol?'
Take it?'
The tone of the mistress voice was com
plctely changed. The servant looked ut her
with va@tI.' m.SGivings. Are you not well.
una an?
Quite we'll.
The servant withdrew.
Mr.. Lin!r,'S chair happened to be near
one of the windows which commanded a
view of the drive leading to the main en-
trance OF the house. a carriage had Just ar
rived, bringing holiday travellers to visit that
part a. Mount Morvcn which was open TO
strangers. She watched them as they got
out, talking and laughing and looking about
them. Still shrinking inStnc:ivHly from the
first doubt of Herbert that had ever entered
her mind, she found a refuge from herself in
watching the ordinary events OF the day.
One by one the tourists disappeared under
the portico of the front door. The empty
carriage was driven away next. To water the
horses al the village inn. Solitude was all
She could see from the window; silence. hor
rIble silence, surround Il her out of doors and
in. The thoughts from which she recoiled
forced their way back Into her mind; the
narrative OF the uurscmaids discovery be-
cam" - burden an her memory once more.
She considered the circumstances. In spite
oI herself. she considered the circumstances
again. Her husband and Sydney WeSter-
ncsu together in the shrubDcry-and Sydney
crying. Had Mrs. PreStys abOminabe sus-
PiClun OF them reached their cars? or?-NO!
that second possibility might b. estimated at
It's right value by other women; not by Her
bert linley's wife.
She Snatched up the newspaper ana fixed
her eyes on it In the hope of fixing her mind
on 1t next OhStinately, desperately, she
read without knowing what she was read
lng. The lines of print were beginning to
nlngIe and grow dim when she was started
by the sudden opening of the door. She
looked round
Her husband entered the room.