Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-05
CHAPTER Ii.


herself in the waiting-room. He's gomez
she announced; I looked out of my window
and saw him leaving the hotel" She paused,
struck by the deep detection expressed in her
daughters attitude. "Catheriner' she ex
claimed. 81 tell you Herbert has gone, and
you look as if you regretted it! Is there any.
thing wrong? Did my messenger fail to
bring him here?''
mo"
''He was bent Oh mischief when l saw
him last. Has he told Bennydeci OF the di.
v0rce?'
No"
THANK heaven for that! There is no one
to be afraid Of now Where is the captain"'
Gle is still in the sltting-room."
''Why don't you 90 to him?"
81 daren'tT'
'Shall go?"
"Yes-and give him this"
Mrs. Presty took the letter ''Y0u mean
tear 1t up" she said, land quite right, too''
mo; mean what I say"
My dear child, if you have any regard for
yourself, if you have any regard for me,
don't ask me to give Bennydeck this mad
letter! You won't hear reason? You still
insist on it??'
Il do"
eff Kitty ever behaves to you, Catherine,
as you have behaved to me-y0u will have
richly deserved it. On, if you were only a
child again, I'd beat it out of you'll would v'
With that Outburst Of temper she took the
letter to Bennydeck. In less than minute
she returned, q tanned woman. ''IIe fright
ems me, she said
us he angryY'
'No-and that's the worst of it. When
men are angry ain never afraid Of them.
He's quiet, too quiet He said: Pm wait
Ing for Nj. Herbert Linley; where is hep
| said: He has left the hotel He said:
What does that mean? | handed the letter
to him. "PerhapS this will eNplan,' l said.
He looked at the address, and at once recog-
nized your handwriting. Why does she
write to me when we are both in the sama
house? Why doesn't she speak to me"
pointed to the letter. lie wouldn't look at
it; he looked straight at me. There's some
mystery here he said. 'Pm plain mnn :;
L don't like mysteries. Mr.. Linley had
something to say to me when the message in
terrupted him. Who sent the message? Do
you know" II there is a woman, living
Catherine, who Would have told the truth in
SUCH position as mine was at that moment,
should like to have her photograph. |
said L didn't know, and [ saw he suspected
me Of deceiving him. Those kind eyes of
his-you wouldn't believe it Of them look
ed me through and through. I won't detain
you any longer he said. I'm not easily
daunted as you knGW-the relief it was to me
TO get away from him is not to be told in
words. What do you think heard when
got into the passage? / heard him turn the
key Of the door. He's locked in, my dear,
he's locked in. We are too near him here
Come up stairs
Catherine refused. Il ought to be near
him." she said, hopefully; 'he may wish to
see me-"
Her mother reminded her that the waiting
room was a public room, and might be want
ed. She proposed going into the garden
and telling the servant who usually attended
on them where they might be found.
Catherine yielded. Mrs. Presty's excite
ment found its overflow in talking perpetu-
ually. Her daughter had nothing to say, and
cared nothing where they went; all outward
manifestation of life in her seemed to be
suspended at that terrible time Of eXpecta-
ton. They wandered here and there in the
quietest part of her grounds. Half an hour
passed-and no message was received. The
hotel clock struck the hour-and still moth
ing happened.
Il can walk no longer" Catherine said.
She dropped on one of the garden chairs,
holding by her mothers hand go to him,
for Gods sake!' she entreated. 81 can en-
dure it no longer"
Mrs. Presty-even bold Mrs. Presty-was
afraid to face him again. Hes fond of the
child" she suggested lets send Kitty
Some little girls were at play close by who
know Iyhara K ittv XyoS To foupJ Tn n
few minutes more they brought her back
with them. Mrs Presty gave the child her
instructions, and sent her away proud of her
Grand and delighted at the prospect of visit
ing the captain by herself, as if she was a
grOwn-up lady,"
This time the period of suspense was soon
at an end. Kittie came running back. Its
lucky you sent me-" she declared. ''He
wouldn't have opened the door to anybody
else-ha said 50 himself"
Did you knock softly, as l told you?'
Mrs. Presty asked.
mo, grandnamma, / forgot that. | tried
to open the door; he called out not to disturb
him. l said It's only me- and he opened
the door directly. What makes hiIa look so
pale mamma? Is he ill?'
perhaps he feels the heat" Mrs. Prestv
suggested, judiciously.
He said Dear little Kitty and he caught
me up in his arms and kissed me- When he
sat down again he took me on his knee and
he asked me if l was fond of him, and said
Yes, [ am and he kissed me again, and he
asked il had come to keep him company. l
forgot what you wanted me to saw Kitty
acknowledged, addressing MIS-. Presty. sc
l made it up out of my own head"
''What did You say"
Il told him mamma was as fond of him as
[ was. nd l said i mean to bring her with
mer He put me down on the floor, and he
got Up and went To the window and looked
out. / told him that wasn't III " : to find
her, and l said; I know where size is: III
go and fetch her He's an obstinate man.
our nice captain. He wouldn't come away
from the win'tow. Isaid: You want to SCI
mamma. dou,t y0u?' And he said: Yes.
'You musta lock TIE door again I tod