Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-22

myself at club dinner"
''Who is hep
Capt. Bennydeck."
"In the army?"
"No; formerly in the navy"
"And you and he had long talk togeth-
er?''
Randals tones began to betray irritation.
NO" he said; eve were at opposite ends of
the table-and the captain went away early"
Mrs Presty's vigorous intellect discovered
an imprObability here. Then how came
you to feel interested in him?" she objected.
Even RandaPs patience gave way. Il can't
account or it," he said, sharply. II only
know took liking to Capt. Bennydeck."
He left Mrs. PreSty and sat down by his
brother. ''YOu know feel for you" he
said, taking Linley'S hand. 'Try to hope"
The bitterness of the fathers despair broke
out in his answer. Il can bear other troubles,
Randall, as well as most men. This affliction
reyoltS me. There's something so horribly
unnatural in the child being threatened by
death, while the parents (WhO should die
firsD are alive and we'll" He checked
himself. Il had better say no more, l shall
only shock you"
The misery in his face wrung the faithful
heart of his wife She forgot the concilia-
tory expressions which she had prepared her.
self to use. Hope, my dear, as Randall tells
yOu," she said, because there is hope"
His face flushed, his dim eyes frightened.
Has the doctor said it?' he asked.
Eyes"
"Why haven't been told of it befQre?'
when / sent for you heard that you had
gone out"
The explanation passed by him unnoticed
perhaps even unheard. Tell me what the
doctor said" he insisted; II want it exactly,
word for word"
She obeyed him to the letter.
The sinister change in his face, as the mar
rative proceeded, was observed BY both the
other persons present, as well as by his wife.
She waited for kind word of encourage
ment He only said, cOldly: What have
you done?'
Speaking coldly on her side, she answered:
II have sent the carriage to fetch Miss West
erfieId"
There was a pause. Mrs. Presty whisper
ed to Randall: II knew she would come
back again! The Evil Genius of the family
that's what call Miss Westertield. The
name exactly fits her!'
The idea in Randa's mind was that the
name exactly fitted Mrs. Presty. He made
no reply; his eyes rested in sympathy on his
sister-in-law. She saw, and felt, his kind
ness at time when kindness was doubly
precious. Her tones trembled little as she
spoke to her silent husband.
Don't you approve of what have done,
Herbert%'
His nerves were shattered by grief and sus-
penSe, but he made an effort this time to
I hot Ior
piled, ''if the poor child'S life depends on
Miss Westerfield? ask one favor-give me
time to leave the house before she comes
here"
Mrs. Linley looked at him in amaZement.
Her mother touched her arm; Randall tried
by sign to warn her to be careful Their
calmer minds had seen what the Wife's agi-
tation had prevented her from discovering.
In Linley'S position the return of the gov
erneSS was trial to his Self-contrOl which
he had reason to dread his look, his voice,
his manner, proclaimed it to persons capable
of quietly observing him. He had struggled
against his guilty paSsion-at what sacrifice
of his own feelings no one knew but himself
and here was the temptation, at the very
time when he was honorably resisting it,
brought back TO him by his wife! Her mo-
tive did unquestionably excuse, perhaps even
sanction, what she had done; but this was an
estimate of her conduct which commended
itself to others. From his point of view-mo-
tive or no motive-he saw the old struggle
against himself in danger of being renewed;
he felt the ground that he had gained Slip
ping from under him already.
In spite of the welEmeant efforts made by
her relatives to preyent it, Mrs. Linley COM
mitted the very error which it was most i'm
portant that she should avoid. She justified
herself, instead of leaving it to events to
justify her. Miss WeSterfeld comes here"
she argued, ION an GRAND that is beyond re-
proach-an errand Of mercy. Why should
you leave the house?"
''In justice to you,' Linley answered.
Mrs. Presty could restrain herself no long
er. Drop it, Catheriner' she said, IN
whisper.
Catherine refused to drop it; Linley'S short
and sharp reply had irritated her. After
my experience" she persisted, ''haye l no
reason to trust your
1T is part of your experience" he remind
ed her, that l promised not to see Miss
WeSterfield again."
Own it at oacer' she broke out, provoked
beyond endurance; though may be will
ing to trust you-you are afraid to trust your
self"
Unlucky Mrs. Presty interfered again.
you're quite right Herbert Keep out of
harms way, and you keep right"
She patted him on the shoulder, as if she
had been giving good advice to boy. He
expressed his sense of his mother-in-law'
friendly offices in language which astonished
her.
Hold your tongue!''
do you hear that?" Mrs. Presty asked,
appealing Indignantly to her daughter.
Linley took his hat. AT what time do
you expect Miss Westerfield to arrive?" he
said to his wife.
She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece
Before the half-hour strikes. Don't be
alarmed" she added, with an air of ironicaI
sympathy; you will have time 10 make your
escape"
He advanced to the door, and looked at
her.
"One thing beg you viii remember" he
said. Every half-hour while am away q
am going TO the FARM you are to send and
let ME know how Kitty is-and especially if
Miss Westertield justites the experiment
which ia doctor hoS aHy 10 try -