Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-26
I'lG Evil Genius.
DOMESTIC STORY.
BY wILKIE COLLINS.
".

INeleSS RTedtly LII PERSONAL
appearance. His features were in no way
remarkable for manly beauty. In stature he
hardly reached the middle height, and, young
as he was, either bad habit or physical weak
ness had SO affected the upper part Of his
figure that he stopped. But, with these and
other disadvantages, there was something in
his eyes and in his smile-the outward ex-
preston perhaps Of all that was modestIy
noble In his nature-so irresistible in its at
tractiye influence that men, women, and
children felt the charm alike. Inside of the
house and outside of the house everybody
was fond of Randal-eYen Mrs. Presty in
eluded.
'Uave you seen a new face among US since
you returnedP' were his sister-in-law's first
words. Randall answered that he had seen
Miss Westerfield. The inevitable question
followed. What did he think of her2 ''Pll
tell you in a week or two more" he replied.
mol tell me at once"
81 don't like trusting my first impression.
have bad habit Of jumping 10 conclu-
si0as."
Jump to conclusion now, to please me"
Randall smiled and gave away. Your
geverness." he replied, 'lOoks out Of health,
and (perhaps for that reasonl strikes me as
being Insignificant and ugly. Let us see
what our fine air and our easy life here will
do for her. ln-so young woman as she is
am prepared for any sort of transformation.
We may be ali admiring pretty Miss Wester-
field before another month is over our heads.
Have any letters come for me while / have
been away"
He went into the library and returned with
his letters. This will amuse Kitty" he
said, handing to his sister-in-law the Illus
trafpf NatU Vpfy Ia which she
had already referred in speaking to her hus-
band.
Mrs. LinIey examined the engrayings-
turned back again TO look once more at an
illustration which had interested her. A
paragraph on tho same page caught her at
tcntion. She had hardly glanced at the first
words before cry of alarm escaped her.
dreadful news for Miss Westerfieldw she
exclaimed. "Read 1t, Randall"
lie read these words:
''fhe weeks list OF insolvent traders in
cludes an EnglIshman named James Bell
bridge, formerly connected with a diSreputa-
bic saloon in this city. Bellbrldge Is under
suspicion or having caused the death or his
wife in fit of delirium trcmens. The I'M
fortunate woman had been married, for the
first time, TO one of the English aristOcracy-
the Hon ROderick Observation-Disclosures trial
for casting away n ship under his command
excited considerable interest in London some
years since. Tho melancholy circumstances
OF the case are complicated by the disap-
pcarance, on the day OF the murder, of the
w0man's young son by her first husband.
The poor boy is supposed 10 have run away
In terror from his miserable home, and the
police are endeavOrng to discover some trace
OF him. IL Is reported that another child of
the first marriage daughter, is living in
England, but nothing is known about her"
"llas your governess any relations in En-
glandW Randall asked.
Only an aunt, who has treated her in the
most inhuman manner"
'Serious news for Miss Westeriield, as you
say" Randall resumed. "And, as | think,
serious news for us. Here is a mere girl-a
poor friendless creature absolutely Deepen
dent on our protection. What are we to do
If anything happens In the future TO alter
our present opinion of herH'
Nothing of the sort is likely to happen"
Mrs. Linlcy declared.
Let ms hope not" Randall said, gravcly.
V.
Tho members OF the family at Mount Nor
ven consulted together, before Sydney West
ereld was informed OF her brothers disap-
pcarlnce and OF her mothers death.
Speaking first, rs master of the house, Her
bert Lnlcy offered his opinion without hesi-
tatlon. Ills impulsive kindness shrank from
the prospect OF reviying the melancholy rec
objections associated with Sydney's domestic
life. why distress the poor child, just as
she is beginning TO feel happy among us?'
lie asked. Give me the newspaper; shant
feel easy till have torn it up"
Ills wife drew the newspaper out OF his
reach. ''Nait A little" she said. quietly:
"somc of us may feel that it il no part of our
duty to conceal the truth"
Mrs. rrcsty smoke next To the SURPRISE
of the family council She agreed with her
son lin law.
"Somcbodv must sncok ont ~ the old I,dv
hegon "nrd moan to cot thn evomnIa ToIi
Inc thc trnth - shn declared t,rning sovara-
10 ~. her d,n,htor "is a ,,,o,o onn,,,Iio,tod
or,ir ,hor ,,,,, .,,,,,, q, ,I,i,,t ~, = 80
,,o,, ~ ,,,,,,J,Ii,, 30 ,,,,,','. i,,t =, , 1t
49,, .., 80 -; ~ - -,
,,s 10y uo' 1oo'' :. qIoS,v ~
-, ." ~ ~ WV "
ny hl''',' u','h JUS 40
o'. - ,'''',','E vi 1', ~" uu'ic', ooi.'in,y
"''' """u heavens! "i''' uots IL i''''''i W
my young iIi'i'd oydhey "ietner hef uiIat-
ui'i '''ot'cl iiIeS Oh "leS' iie'pc't' srcohu
so"' P'"i'p''' 10 tr'H uP 'no paper VIII" 'iio
$500 i,''''ulo'
~" Suing n'Nt W iti'"a'' i''u MS
haho aiectlohately on ms brother shoulder.
arg you on our SIDE no asked. hahdai
neS''a'ea' Always inc same SAID good
n''''"'c' iitroert h'hdal never KNOWS
MS -, own mint
nus was inc view geheral'y taken OF tl'e
younger prother S character Relatives ana
nal'i,us neStl ulseoVelou lillt i1',ual L'lcy
was one Oh IhoSe rare persons VINO possess
IN evenly oa'alced nina. sensitive man
III "tnptIanehN .lo impulses 10 Whlcn ne
was subject were heiu haoliualiy IN checR by
ule sense Oh Justice' when was the predohll-
nant sense In his moral nature. The result
LOOKING nj the surface only, produced an ap-
pearance OF indeciston, which was false APP
pearance in the strictcst sense of the word.
u feel inclined to agree with you, he said
To Herbert 1t does seem hard to recall Miss
NeS'erieid TO inc miserable life that she has
ha, anu 10 90 !. IN inc way OF All DINERS
Mnich must .ty het iortltuuo most cruelty
a. vi" sa'''S 'iirc
ol' uon sPoi' WHAT you nave Sa'o oS
S''n's ulo o'',e, sue Oh INC question:! cliea
ms prother: GU nave put IL ao'hirapis'
ea'o /. aS IL Is
~ tl.e same TIME, hahdh gehtly Der
sisted L nave heard no reasons when sat
isiy me 'ha' We nave right 10 Keep MISS
N'S'S,i'olu III ignorance OIL what mas nap
pelleu'
This serious Wow NJ tho nunst ion In dnha 70