Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-06-17
CHAPTER XXXV.

| Icy ltu COlltlup loI tiiG NIitSGS-ilafi -
peated what the judge had really said. as
| distinguished from Lady Myrie'S malicious
version of it-and had expressed her fnfen-
ton of giving Catherine a word of advice
when she was sufficiently composed to profit
by it. You have recovered your good locks
after that fit Of crying" Mrs Presty ,,tlYit-
ted, 'but not your good spirits What is
worrying you nOw?"
Il can't help thinking OF poor Kitty
My dear, the child wants nobody,s pity.
She's blowing away all her troubles by Tide
in the fresh air on the favorite donkey that
she feeds every morning. Yes yes. YOU
needn' tell me YOU are in false position
and nobody can deny that it's shameful 10
make the child feel it. Now listen to me.
Properly understood, those two spiteftil Ho-
men have done you a kindness. They have
as good as told you how 10 protect yourself
i'll time to come. Deceive the vile world
Catherine, as it deserves 10 be deceived.
Shelter yourself behind respectable char
acter that will spare you these insults in the
future" In the energy OF her conviction
Mrs. PreSty struck her fist on the table. and
finished in three audaciOUS words: Be a
widow"
1t was plainly said-and yet Catherine
seemed TO be at q loss TO understand what
her mother meant.
Don't doubt about it. Mrs. Presfy went
on; ''dO it. Think of Kitty if you won't
think Of yourself. In few years more Sic
will be young lady. She may have an Of
fer Of marriage, which may be everything
we desire. Suppose her SWeetheart's family
is a religious family; and suppose your di-
vorce, and the judges remarks on it. aye dis
covered. What will happen thenw
SIS it possible that YOU are in earnest. ,
Catherine asked. 'Uaye YOU seriously
thought OF the advice that you are giving
me? Setting aside the deceit, you know as
well as l Go that Kitty Woul;, ask questions.
Do you think that can tell my child that
her father is dead? A leland such a dread
full lie as thatr2
''NOnsenser said Mrs Presty.
'NOnSense?' Catherine repeated, indig-
nantIy
Rank nonsense" her mother persisted.
Hasn't your situation forced you to lie al
ready? When the child asks why her father
and her gOyerneSS have left us, haven't you
been obliged to invent excuses which are
lies? II the man who was once your huS-
band isn't as good as dead to yOU, [ should
like to know what your divorce means! My
poor child, do you think ycu can 90 on rs
you are going on now? How many thou
sands of people have read the newspaper ac-
count of the trial? How many hundreds Of
people, interested in handsome woman like
VOC, will wonder why they never see Mi.
Ormond? What? You will go abroad again?
Go where you may you will attract atten-
ton: you will make an enemy Of every ugly
woman who looks at you. Strain at a gnat,
my dear and swallow a camel. It's only
question of time. Sooner or later you will
find yourself driven to It; you will be a wild
Ow. Here's the waiter again. What does
the man want nOW?"
The waiter answered by announcing
Capt. Bennydeck."
GATHERINGS mother was nearer to the door
than Catherine; she attracted the captains
attention first. He addressed his apologies
to her: Pray excuse me for disturbing
yOu''
Mrs. PreSty had an eye for handsome
man, irrespective Of what his age might be.
In the language Of the cOnjurerS, a ''magc
change" appeared in her; she became bright
ly agreeable in a moment.
ooh, Capt. Bennydeck, you mustn't make
excuses for coming into your own roOmr'
Capt. Bennydeck went on with his excuses
nevertheless The Iandsdy tells me that
have mlucllily missed seeing Mr.. Randall
Linley, and that he has left message for
me. | shouldn't otherwise have yentured-"
Mrs. PreSty stopped him once more. The
captains claim to the captains rooms was
the principle OH which she took her stand.
She revived the irresistible smiles which had
conquered Mr.. OrmOnd and Mr.. PreSty. ''NO
ceremony, beg and pray! You are at home
here-taze the eaSy-ChairD'
Catherine advanced a few steps; it was
time to stop her mother, it the thing could
be done. She felt lust embarrassed enough
to heighten her color and to show her beauty
to the greatest advantage. 1t literally stag
gered the captain the moment he looked at
her. His customary cOmpOsure as a we'll
bred man deserted him; he bowed confused
ly; he had not q word to say. Mrs. Presty
seized her opportunity and introduced them
to each other. My daughter Mrs. OrmOnd
Capt. Bennydeck." COmpaSsOnatng him,
under the impression that he was a shy man,
Catherine tried to set him at ease. lam in
deed glad to have an opportunity Of thank
ing you," she said, inviting him by gesture
to be seated. In this delightful air | have
recovered my health, and l owe it to your
kindness"
The captain reganed his self-possession
Expressions of gratitude had been addressed
to him which, in his modest estimate OF HIM
self. he could not feel that he had deserved.
You little know" he replied, ''under
what interested motives l have acted. When
| established myself i'll this hotel l was fair
Iy driven out OF my yacht by a guest who
went sailing with me-"
Mrs. PTesty became deeply Interested
Dear me, what did he do?'
Capt. Bennydeck answered, grayeIy: He
snored."
Catherine was amused; Mrs. PreSty burst
out laughing; the captains dry humOr as
serted itself as quantity as ever This is no
laughing matter" he resumed looking at
Catherine My vessel is a small one. For
two nights the awful music Of my friends
nose Kept me sIeepless. When | woke him
and said Don't snore,' he apoIogizcd in 4le
sweetest manner and began. On the third
day anchored in the bay here, determined
to yet nights rest on shore. A dispute
about the price Of these rooms offered them
to me. I sent note OF apology on board
and slept peacefully. The next morning ny
safling-master Informed me that there had
been what he called a little swell in the
night lie reported the sounds made by my
friend on this occasion to have been the 5w-
full sounds OF seaSickneSS. The gentleman.