Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-03-04

Randall tried to set his strange reply in the
right light. Il only mean," he explained,
that / want a little time to think"
Herbert gave up the dispute and appealed
to his wife. You have still got the Ameri-
can newspaper in your hand" he said.
"What do you mean to do with it?''
Quietly and firmly Mrs. LinIey answered: :
II mean to show it to Miss Westerfeld.''
against my opinion? Against your moth
er's opinion?" Herbert asked. ''Have we no
influence over you? Do as Randall does
take time, my dear, to think"
She answered this with her customary
calmness of manner and sweetness of tone.
II am afraid l must appear obstinate; but it
is indeed true that l want no time to think;
my duty is too plain to me-
Her husband ana ner moIner usGeneu 10
her in establishment. Too amiable and too
happy-and it must be added too indolent-
to assert herself in the ordinary emergencies
of family life, Mrs. Linley only showed of
what metal she was made on the very rare
occasions when the latent firmness in her
nature was stirred to its innermost depths.
The general experience of this sWeet-tem-
pered and delightful woman, ranging over
ence which remained in the memories of the
persons about her. In bygone days they
had been amazed when her unexpected read
mess and firmness of decision presented an
exception to a general rule-just as they
were amazed now.
Herbert tried last remonStrance. SIS it
possible, Catherine, that you don't see the
cruelty of showing that newspaper to Miss
Westerfeld?'
Even this appeal to Mrs. Linley's sympa-
thies failed to shake her resolution. ''You
may trust me to be careful" was all she said
in reply; 81 shall prepare her as tenderly for
the sad news from America as if she was a
daughter of my own"
Hearing this, Mrs. Presty showed sudden
interest in the proceedings. "When do you
mean to begin?" she asked.
Eat once, mamma"
Mrs. Presty broke up the meeting on the
spot "Wait till am out Of the way" she
stipulated. do you object to Herbert CIV
ing me his arm? Distressing scenes are not
in his way or in mine'
Mrs. Linley made no objection. Herbert
resigned himself (not at all unwilIingly) to
circumstances. Arm in arm he and his wife's
mother left the room.
Randall showed no intention of following
them; he had given himself time to think.
''We are all wrong, Catherine" he said;
''and you alone are right. What can do to
help youY'
She took his hand gratefully. always
kind! Never thinking of yourself! I will
see Miss Westertield in my own room. Wait
here, in case / want you.''
After much shorter absence than Randall
anticipated, Mrs. Linley returned. 'Has it
been very distressing|' he asked, seeing the
traces Of tears in her eyes.
'"There are noble qualities" she answered,
Gin that poor ill-used girl. Her one thought,
as soon as she began to understand my mo-
tive in speaking to her, was not for herself,
but for me. Even you, a man, must have
felt the tears in your eyes, if you had heard
her promise that should suffer no further
anxiety on her account. You shall see no
distressing change in me- she said, when
we meet Tomorrow All she asked was to
be left in her room for the rest Of the day. l
feel sure of her resolution to control herself;
and yet should like to encourage her if /
can. Her chief sorrow Gas it seems to me)
must be-nOt for the mother who has SO
shamefully neglected her-but for the poor
little brother, a castaway, lost in strange
Iand. Can we Go nothing to relieve her
anxiety?'
II can WRITE" Randall said, ''to man
whom know in New York; a lawyer in
large practice"
''The very person we want! Write-pray
write by to-day's postW
The letter was dispatched. 1t was decided
and wisely decided, as the result proved
to say nothing to Sydney until the answer
was received. RandaPS correspondent wrote
back with as little delay as possible. He had
made every inquiry, without success. Not a
trace of the boy had been found, or Gin the
opinion of the police was likely to be found.
The one event that had happened, since the
appearance of the paragraph in the New
York journal, was the confinement Of James
Bellhridge in an asylum as mailman under
restraint without hope of recovery.