Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-05-27
CHAPTER XVIII.

| Although in less than a week summer would
! begin with the 1st Of June Mr.. Sarrazin was
! glad to find his office warmed by a fire when
he arrived to open the letters of the day.
| The correspondence in general related ex-
| clu5iVely to proceedings connected with the
law. Two letters only presented an eXcep-
| ton to the general rule. The first was adj
| dressed in Mrs. Liney's handwriting and
| bore the p0stmark of Hanover Kitty'S moth
er had not only succeeded in getting to the
| safe side of the lake-she and her child had
| crossed the German ocean as well. In one
respect her letter was a remarkable compost
| ton. Although it was written by a lady, it
was short enough to be read in less than
minute:
my Oar Mr. Sdrrdzin: [ have just time
| to write by this evenings post Our excel
| lent courier has satisfied himself that the
| danger OF discovery has passed away. The
| WretcheS have been so completely deceived
| that they are already on their way back to
| England, to lie in wait for us at FOlkeStOne
| and Dover. Tomorrow morning we leave
this charming place-oh, how unWillingly! !
| for Bremen, to catch the steamer to Hull.
You shall hear from me again on our ar
rival. Gratefully yours,
CATHERINE LINLEY."
Mr.. SarraZn put this letter into private
drawer, and smiled as he turned the key.
''Has she made up her mind at last?" he ask
ed himself. "But for the courier, | shouldn't
| feel sure Of Ter, even nOwT'
The second letter agreeably surprised him.
1t announced that the writer had just return
ed from the United States, it invited him to
dinner that evening, and it was signed Ran.
dial Linley." In Mr.. Sarrazin's estimation
Randall occupied higher place than his
brother Il
ley before her marriage, and had been pr
vately inclined to think that she would have
done wisely if she had given her hand to the
younger brother instead of the elder. His
acquaintance with Randall ripened rapidly
into friendship: But his relations with Her.
bert made no advance toward intimacy; there
was a gentleman-lke cordiality between
them, and nothing more.
At Z o'clock the two friends sat at snug
little table in the private room of hotel,
with an intinitenumber of questions to ask
OF each other, and with nothing to interrupt
them but dinner Of such extraordinary
merit that it insisted on being noticed from
the first course to the last
Randall began. Before we talk of any.
thing elSe," he said, tell me about Cathe-
rine and the child. Where are they?"
''On their way to England, alter resi-
dence III Germany"
And the old laGy?''
'MrS. Presty has been staying with friends
in London"
What! have they parted company? Has
there been a quameI?'
Nothing of the sort; friendly SeDara-
ton, in the Strictest sense Of the word. Oh
Randall, what are you about? Don't put
pepper into this perfect soup. It's as good
as the gras double at the Cafe AngIais in
Paris"
80 it is; wasn't paying the proper atten-
ton to it. But am anxious about Cathe-
rine. Why did she go abroad?'
Haven't you heard from her?'
Not for SIX months or more. [ innocent
ly veXed her by writing little too hopefully
about Herbert. Mrs. Presty answered my
letter, and recommended me not to write
again. 1t isn't like Catherine to bear NAL.
ice."
Don't even think such a thing possibew
the lawyer answered, earnestly. ''Attribute
her silence to the right cause. Terrible aux.
ieties have been weighing on her mind since
you went to America"
''AnxietieS caused by my brother? Oh,
hope not"
Caused entirely by your brother-if !
must tell the truth. Can't you guess how?"
rs it the child? You dom mean to tell
me that Herbert has taken Kitty away f.;:in
her mOtherr'
''While [ am Ter mothers lawyer, my
friend, your brother won't do that. Wei
come back to England in the first glass of
sherry: good wine, but little too dry for
my taste. No, we Won't talk of domestic
troubles, just yet. You shall hear all about
it after dinner What made you 90 to Ameri-
ca? You haven't been delivering lectures
have YOU?
Certainly not. [ have been enjoying my
self among the most hospltable people in the
world. What is there left for me to do but
to try change OF scene, and go roaming about
the world, a restless creature without all OBJ
ject in life?
Remember what my life used to be when
| was in Scotiand-and look at my life now!
No Mount MOryen; no model farm to look
after; no pleasant highland neighbours; /
can't go to my brother while he is leading
his present life; have hurt GATHERINGS feel
ings; | have lost dear little. Kitty; | am not
obliged to earn my living (mOra'S the PITY;
l don't care about politics: | have pleasure
in eating harmless creatures, but 10 pleasure
in shooting them. Have | done something
wrong again? It isn't the pepper this time
and yet you're looking at me as if | was t!.T.
ing your temper
The French side of Mr.. Sarrazin's nature
had got the better of him once more. lie
pointed Indignantly to a supreme prepara-
ton Of fowl on his friends plate. DO !
actually see you picking out our truffieS and
putting them on one side?' he asked.
well" Randall acknowledged, Il don't
care about trutfleS.'
Mr.. SarraZin rose, with his plate in his
hand and his fork ready for action He
walked round the table to his friends side,
and reverently transferred the neglected
Tuttles to his own plate. Randall. YOU will
live to repent this" he said. Solemnly In
the meantime l am the gamer" Until he
had finished the truffleS no word fell from
his lips. II think | should have endowed
them more" he remarked IF | had concen-
uated my attention by closing my eyes; but
you would have thought I was going to
Sleep" lie recovered his English Hationali-
ty after this, until the dessert iIad been
placed on the table ana the waiter WIS ready