Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-05
I'lG Evil Genius.
A DOMESTIC STORY.
BY wILKIE COLLINS.
BEFORE THE STORY.

BY wILKIE COLLINS.
BEFORE THE STORY.
5.-The Landlord.
Mrs. Westerfeld's destination was the pub
lie house In which she had been once en-
ployed as barmaid. Entering the place
without hesitation, she sent In her card to
the landlord. He opened the parlor door
himself and invited her to walk in.
"YOu wear WE'LL" he said, admiring her.
"Have you come here to be my barmaid
againP
do you think am reduced to that?" she
answered.
'Well, my dear, more unlikely things have
happened. They tell me you depend for
your income on Lord le Basque-and his
lordshp's death was in the newspapers last
week"
"And his lordship's lawyers continue my
allowance"
Having smartly set the landlord right in
those words, she had not thought it necessary
TO add that Lady lie Basque, continuing the
allowance at her husbands request had also
IIvsIno- that it would cease if Mrs. Wester-
field married again.
YOU'RE lucky woman" the landlord re-
marked. well, I'm glad to see you. What
will you take to drink"
Nothing, thank you. / want to know if
you have heard anything lately Of James
Bellbridge."
The landlord was popular person In his
own circle; not accustomed 10 restrain him
self whom he saw his way TO joke. Here's
cOnstancYP' he said. "She's sweet on James,
after having Tilted him twelve years agop
Mrs. Westerfeld rose with dignity. 81
am accustomed TO be treated respectfully"
she replied. Il wish you gOod-mOming."
The easy landlord pressed her back into
her chair. Don't be u fool" he said. James
Is in London; James is staying in my house.
What do you think of that"'
Mrs. Westerfeld's bold gray eyes express
cd eager curiosity and interest. you don't
mean that he is going TO be barman here
sgainP'
mo such luck, my dear; he is a gentleman
ut large who patrOnizes my house"
Mrs Westerfield went on with her cues
tons.
Has he left America for goOd?'
"NOt he. James Bellbrdge is going back
10 New York, to open saloon (as they call
IT., in partnership with another map He's
In England, he says, on business. It's my
belief that he wants money for this new
venture, on bad security. They're smart peo-
pie In New York. His only chance Of get
ting his bills discounted Is TO humbug his re-
latlons down In the country"
when does he go TO the country?'
Hes there now"
when does lie como back?'
you're determined TO see him. II appearsi
He comes back Tomorrow"
as he married."
"Ahal now we're coming 10 the point
Make your mind easy. Plenty of women
have set the trap for him, but he has not
walked into 1t yet Shall / give him your
lOye?'
Yes" she said, coolly; "as much love as
you please"
Meaning marriage%' the landlord inquir-
eli.
And money" Mrs. Wcstctield added.
Lord 10 Basque's moneyW
Lord 10 Basque's money may 20 TO the
devilW
''liullol Your language reminds ME of
the time when you were barmaid. You don't
mean to say you have had fortune left you?"
81 dol VIII you give q message to james,"
"Ill do anything for a lady with a fort
une."
Tell him to come and drink tea with his
old sweetheart tomorrow at 6 O'clock"
''lio won't do it."
"Iie Will"
With that difference OF opinion they part
cd
o.-Ine brute
Tomorrow eamc-and Mrs. Westrrlield's
faithful James justified her confidence in
him.
"Oh, Jenny, how glad am to see you'll
You dear, dear fellow, am yours at last"
That depends my lady, on whether /
want you. Let 30 of my neck"
The man who entered this protest against
imprisonment In the arms of n iino woman
was one OF the human beings who are grown
TO perfection on English soil. lie had the
fat face, the pink complexion, the hard blue
eyes, the scauty yellow hair, the smile with
no meaning in 1t, the tremendous neck and
shoulders, the mighty fists and feet, which
are seen in complete combination in England
only. Men of this breed possess nervous
system without being aware CT it; suffer af-
Fiction without feeling it; exercise courage
without n sense of danger; marry without
love; eat and drink without limit; and sink
(big as they are) when disease attacks them
without an effort 10 live.
Mrs. WcSterlicld released her guests bull
neck ut the word of command. 1t was i'm.
possible not To submit to him-hc was so
brutal. impossible not to admire him-he
was SO big
"ilaye you no love left for mcP" was all
Sic vcnturcd 10 say.
lie took the remonStrancc good -humoredy,
Lover" he repeated. Gomez | like that
after throwing me over tor Il man with q
handle to his name. Which am to call you;
Mrs or My Lady p
Call me your own. What is there to laugh
a M II, b. fond of
would never have gone to America when l
married Westeried If hadn't been dear to
you. Oh, II I'm sure of anything I'm sure of
thati You wouldn't bear malice, dear, II
you only know how cruelty have been dis
appointed"
lie suddenly showed an interest In what
she was saying; the brute became CHEEKY
and confidential. $50 he made YOU q bad
husband, did he' Up with his fist and
knocked you down, / dare SAY, if the truth
was KNOWN
You're all in tho wrong, dear. lie would
have been a good husband If had cared
about him. l never cared about anybody but
you. /: wasn't WeSteriield who tempted me
20 say yes"
That's a lie
NO. indeed 1t isn't"
Then why the devil did you marry himP'
prospect--oh, how could resist itP Think
of being one of the lie BasQue Held in
honor, TO the end of my life by that noble
family, whether my husband lived or diedw
TO the barman's ears, this sounded like
sheer nonsense. His experience in the pub
lie house suggested an explanation. IL say
my girl, have you been drinking"
Mrs Westerfeid's first impulse led her TO
rise and point Indignantly to the door. lie
had only to look at her-and she sat down
again tanned woman. You don't under
stand how the chance tempted me" she an
swered, gently.
What chance do you mean?'
The chance, dear, of being = lords moth
err"
He was still puzzled, but he lowe ID his
tone. The trucborn Briton bowed by in
stinct before the woman who had Tilted him
when she presented herself in the character
OF n lord's mother. How do you make that
out, Maria?" he asked. politely.
She drew her chair nearer TO him when he
called her by her Christian name for the first
time
when WeStarfield was cnurtinC me - she