Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-18
T'lG Evil Genius.
A DOMESTIC STORY.
BY WILKIE COLLINS.

am afraid l must own that the advertisement
has produced a favorable impression on me-"
81 fail entirely to see why" Miss Wigger
remarked
''There is surely" Linley pleaded, "some
thing Straightforward might almost say
something innocenEin the manner in which
the writer expresses herself She seems to
be singularly modest on the subject of her
own attainments, and unusually considerate
of the interests of others. 1 hope you will
permit me-"
Before he could add ''to see the young
Lady, the door was opened; young lady en-
tered the room.
Was this the writer of the advertisement?
He felt sure of it, for no better reason than
this: The moment he looked at her she in
terested him. 1t was an interest new to Lin
ley in his experience of himself. There was
nothing to appeal to his admiration (by way
of his senses) in the pale, worn, young Great
ure who stood near the door, resigned before
hand to whatever reception she might meet
with. The poor teacher made him think Of
his happy young wife at home-of his pretty
little girl, the spoilt child of the household.
He looked at Sydney Westerfield with a
heartfelt compassion which did honor to
them both.
Wigger inquired.
She answered gently, but not timidly. The
tone in which the mistress had spoken had
evidently not shaken her resolution, so far.
81 wish to know" she said, ''if this gentle
man desires to see me on the subject Of my
advertisement"
your advertisements Miss Wigger re
peated. "Miss Westerfield, how dare you
ENaCr
asking my leave?'
II only waited to tell you what l had done
till l knew whether my advertisement would
be answered or not"
She spoke as calmly as before, still submit
ting to the insolent authority of the school
mistress with steady fortitude very remark
able in any girl, and especially in girl
whose face revealed a sensitive nature. Lin
}ey approached her and said his few kind
words before Miss Wigger could assert her.
self for the third time.
II am afraid have taken a liberty in an
swering you personally, when 1 ought to
nave answered you by letter. My only ex-
cuse is that have no time to arrange for an
interview, in London, by correspondence. I
live IN Scotland, and am obliged to return
by the mail tonight"
He paused. She was looking at him. Did
she understand him?
She understood him only too well. For the
hrst time, poor soul, in the miserable years
OF her school life, she saw eyes that rested
on her with the sympathy that is too truly
felt to be uttered in words. The admirable
resignation which had learnt its first hard
lesson under her mothers neglect-which
had endured, in after years, the daily perse-
cutlon that heartleSs companionship so well
knows how to infict-failed to sustain her,
when one kind look from a stranger poured
its balm into the girls sore heart. Her head
sank; her wasted figure trembled; a few
tears dropped slowly on the bosom of her
shabby dress. She tried, desperately tried,
to control herself. II beg your pardon, sir"
was all she could say; Il am not very WELL"
Miss Wigger tapped her on the shoulder
and pointed to the door, care you well
enough to see your way out?" she asked.
Linley turned on the wretch with a mind
divided between wonder and disgust. "Good
God, what has she done to deserve being
treated in that way?' he asked.
Miss Wigger's mouth widened; Miss Wig
gers forehead developed new wrinkles. To
own it plainly, the school-mistress smiled.
When it is of serious Importance to man
to become acquainted with woman's true
his one poor chance of arriving at right
conclusion is to find himself provoked by ex-
asperating circumstances and to fly into
passion. If the lady flies into passion on
her side, he may rely on it that her faults are
more than balanced by her good qualities.
If, on the other hand, she exhibits the most
admirable self-control, and sets him an ex-
ample which ought to make him ashamed of
himself, he has seen a bad sign, and he will
do well to remember it.
Miss Wigger's self-control put Herbert
Linley in the wrong before she took the
trouble of noticing what he had said.
IF you were not out of temper" she re-
piled, II might have told you that don't al
low my house to be made an office for the
engagement of governesses. AS it is, / mere
ly remind you that your carriage is at the
door,"
He took the only course that was open to
him; he took his hat.
Sydney turned away to leave the room.
Linley opened the door for her. Don't be
discouraged" he whispered as she passed
him; 'you shall hear from me-" Having
said this, he made his parting bow to the
school-mistress Miss Wigger held up a per-
emptory forefnger and stopped him on his
way out. He waited, wondering what she
Houu 10 HSAL one IdilS the Dell.
'You are in the house of gentlewoman,"
Miss Wigger explained. my servant at
tends visitors, when they leave me-" A
faint smell of soap made itself felt in the
room; the maid appeared, wiping her smok-
ing arms on herapron. Door wish you
good-morning the last words of Miss
Wigger.
Leaving the house, Linley slipped bride
into the servants hand. II am going to write
to Miss Westerfeld," he said. ''Will you
see that she gets my letter."
THAT willp'
He was surprised by the fervor with which
the girl answered him. Absolutely without
vanity, he had no suspicion of the value
which his winning manner, his bright blue
eyes, and his sunny smile had conferred on
his little gift of money. A. handsome man
was an eighth wonder of the world at Miss
Wigger's school.
At the first stationer's shop that he passed
he stopped the carriage and wrote his letter.
ST shall be glad, indeed, if I can offer you
ahappier life than the life you are leading
now 1t rests with Won to helm me to do this