The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-11-25
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER K.
A NEW ARRIVAL.

CHAPTER K.
ANEW ARRIVAL.
No! Whatever it was, / was safe
from Hardy. His manner showed
plainly enough that he stood in con-
siderable awe of Mr.. Beaufoy, and that
his having left the door of the secret
room unguarded was much more Of .
care to his mind than the very vague
possibility that might have discovered
anything of compromising nature.
As | sat on the garden-seat, and re-
volyed. composedly enough, what |
had seen, heard q heavy step crunch
ing on the gravel. turned my head
and beheld Hardy. He had rather
anxious look on his face, and stopped
beside me evidently wishing to have
some conversation. / was about to
put some question by way Of identify
ing the bystander, when he took the
lead out of my hands.
Nice and warm here in the sun,
SIR he said.
A very ordinary remark for anyone
to make by way of starting little con-
versation, or even as passing civility.
But it was not Hardy's wont to in
dulge in stray civilities, and there
was an unusual touch of Difference
in his voice, which aroused my inter-
est. There are certain rough
natures Of the meaner sort, who show
at once in their voices when they wish
to conciliate. The humility which they
assume is as offensive as the presump-
ton of their ruling hours. Aud Mr..
Hardy's wheedling tone set me more
against him than any of his previous
ronghness had done. 1t was evidently
the politene IS begotten of fear, and
felt a stronger dislike to the man than
ever; still his remark demanded civil.
answer; and We got into sort of con-
versation.
you have . pretty light time of it
here, l suppose Hardy?" l observed.
''Pretty well, sir. there's plenty to
do sometimes"
mir. Beaufoy spends . lot of his
time in the house? Arc you anything
Of chemist, Hardy?"
ME? No, sir" said Hardy quickly.
Il am, ittle,' said, '.at least I
used to be. Mr.. Beaufoy has labora-
tory. am toldp'
Hardy looked very uncomfortable.
Masters very particular about no
one getting into his rooms The
began.
s'But I could not possibly do any
harm. might tell him that even
when got in there by accident,
through the door being left open"
Look here, sir" Hardy broke in
very earnestly, that door oughtn't to
have been left open. And what
wanted to ask you was that you would
be so good as to say nothing about it.
It don make no difference" he add
ed with grin, "but masters . won
der for having his orders obeyed, and
Miss Beaufoy, she's wuss."
well, Hardy," said I slowly, II
don't know that ought to put myself
on the side of slackness, and you are
now deliberately asking me to screen
your fault. 1t is nothing to me, GER
talnly, one way or the other, but will
say nothing about it on condition that
you keep out of my way, and interfere
with me as little as possible"
"All right, sir,' said he, dropping
magically from his respectful and even
cringing tone, directly he found he
had obtained the assurance he request
ed. 1t occurred to me. very strongly,
that having almost committed myself
| to q course of investigation which
might be anything but safe. even the
most partial alliance of such q man az
Hardy, under the influence OF nothing
but fear, might have its value, and
would certainly be better than nothing
at all, SO checked his confident tone
by saying significantly:
1T rests with you whether / forget
it or not
As said this, and as Hardy, with 3
still more familiar but this time conf
dental ''All right, SIR" moved of te
the back premises, the figures OF the
two ladies came in sight from tn,
shaded drive, and moved slowly across
the lawn. had much to do to restrain
my self from advancing to meet them
or rather one of them, for Mary For
tescue was the only portion
of wholesome and straightforward
humanity about the place. But | wait
ed until their voices sounded, and thel
rose and went towards them. Where
upon they quickened their steps AM
met me. talking upon Indifferent topics
In the most melodramatic circum
stan es, as in the most humdrum, il
the presence Of tragedies, domestic 0
national, as in the times when ever
man is living at peace under his Ow
vine and under his own fig-tree, i'm
agine that the ordinary observances {
domestic life and the ordinary canon
Of household decorum are regarded
When people are shaken. out Of thei
ordinary ways at home, they realiz
that strange things are como upo
them. But the battle that decides tn
fate Of an empire, or the constitutions
| quarrel of centuries, will leave les
impression on household With
sound Of the firing, than the mistak
in the peaceful hunting-field,o or the GU
accident which turns the profoun
contentment of autumn into vOiceles
despair.
| So. however strange tho surrounding
at Hanover Lodge, however irreconci
able with life in its Straightforward
aspects, as hitherto known to me, an
whatever might be the secret thought
Of our hearts toward the outside worlt
or towards one another. the gener,
course Of life, was outwardly, vel
much that of hundreds of similar hOus
holds within a radius Of not man
miles. We strolled round the garde
pleasantly enough, for Miss Beaufo
was in one of her best moods. and Maj
Fortescue was much more cheerful an
at ease than she generally seemed
be in the company of her cousin.
1T seems as if the summer woul
/ -