The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-16
THE BASILISK-
A STORY OFTO-DAY.
CHAPTER XIII.
Is SHE JEALOUSY

Is SHE JEALOUSY
The conversation AT dinner on this
eyentful evening was again delightful.
Plowitz was charming. All my suspi-
cion and dislike, intensified now by
bitter and grudging jealousy. remained
in full force Yet was obliged to be
interested and amused in spite Of my
self.
Under the influence Of the versatile
German, Mr.. Beaufoy showed himself
in q Il UGH more sympathetic light than
usual, and INDUCED in vein OF caustic
though somewhat pompous humor,
which made him much more of an &C.
QUESTION at his own dinner-table than
he generally cared to be. Giulia Beau
Toy was in unusually high spirits, and
she devoted herself, l could not help
thinking, to drawing me out in . rath-
er marked manner. She seemed to
have placed me on footing OF secure
and confidential intimacy, which was
different from her attitude, even at her
friendliest moments, during the pre-
yious period of my sojourn at Hanover
Lodge.
Plowi,z maintained towards me
manner of suave Difference, which was
not only personally friendly, but en-
dorsed Miss Beaufoy's action in consti-
tuting me trusted depository Of tho
family secrets. Under other circum-
stances should have keenly enjoyed
this state Of affairs. MY social light,
such as it was. had been so long hid
den under a bushel of seclusion and des-
poniency. that the transference to .
circle which was. tonight at least, lit
tie less than brilliant. to . recognized
and trusted position in friendly house,
hold. should have been strong and
abiding delight But the confidence
which was At once sign and cause
of this advanced intimacy, had for mo
q two-fold horror. While strove, and
apparently with success, to take my
par, III the tourney of talk, two terrible
thoughts were ringing an unending
mufiied peal in my brain:
do You think that she is perfectly
sane?" ..Dr. PioWitz is the affian0ed
husband of Mary Fortescue."
Aud this man at the head of the to
ble--this perfect type of the cultivated,
comfortable. commonplace man Of bus
mess; this sample of the innumerable
hosts of notwithstanding whose
daily exodus brings an atmosphere Of
wealthy rrpose even to the sordid bus
lie III !. Is terminus-this man had
seen. not quarter of an hour before.
emerging. like an evil djinn of modern
days through mysterious aperture
while the staircase of his house revolv.
ed like that Of medieval stronghold
OF romance.
What had seen was SO strangely a
variance with the character Of our din
inertia Die talk that it required no sligh
effort of will to enable me to subdue
myself to the exigencies Of the occa'
sion.
Somehow l got through the ordea
Ct dinner, encouraged by the hope of al
early retirement afterwards, and I
calm review of recent events in tn,
solitude of my room in the tower. Blu
prolonged trial was in store for me
DR.. PlOwitz would not hear of ny
leaving them. and Mr.. Beaufoy joined
his guest IN pressing me to remain
with such urgency, that felt it only
prudent. under the circumstances, t.
avoid any shadow of suspicion, by yield
ing with all the grace could assum,
10 their solicitations.
20
AMPLE said Plowitz. 1T is perhaps
barbarous to enjoy our wine after tn
ladies have gone, but Miss Beaufoy vii
excuse us while she goes to visit he
cousin
You might, perhaps, have your own
affairs to talk about with MIR. Beaufoy,
answered disingenuously.
My dear Coplestone. said Mr.. Beau
foy with fine approach to bonhomie
II hope you do not think that we would
be 50 wanting in courtesy. We have
no. made stranger of you hitherto.
1t might have been fancy, but
thought there was look of mockery il
Plowitz's eyes as accepted the situa
ton. which made me long to brain him
with a decanter; but caution was
burned into mind.
What I had already seen convinced
me that my safety depended upon my
prudence, and higher and NOR
powerful motive than mere self-preserv
alton counselled extreme circumspec
ton. Whatever might be the natur
Of tho mystery OF Hanover Lodge
whatever the character Of the compul
sion brought to bear upon Mary For
tcscue, there could be 70 doubt that sh
was unhappy. There were stron,
grounds for believing thar she was i
danger. This was enough-more tina
enough-to impose the utmost cautiO
upon me. 1t was in my power, If !
an:one's. to protect her, and throug
no folly or forgetiulness of mine shout
she be deprived Of the aid that alon
could be in a position to give her.
When at last we left the table an
joined Miss Beaufoy. q further perio
Of enforced general interest was j
store for me. Miss Beaufoy was seatc
in q low chair beside the hearth, an
looked singularly winning and hant
some as she saw us entering. | hope
that in some shaded corner l migi
catch sight of Mary. but I was 500
satisfied that she had not come dow
s'And how is the invalid now?
asked Plowltz in an unctuous, purriu
tone, assuming. evidently, the Chi
right to take an interest in her.
''She is not well enough to cou
down tonight said tho Basilisk d
cidedly.
II hope it is nothing serious"
said in as unconcerned q tone as
could adopt
Nothing at ala little cold al
headache"
As she said this she raised her ey
brows and smiled at Plowitz, wi
pursed up his lips and slightly shru
ged his shoulders IN reply.