Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-07-09
CHAPT. Il MINK.

Not having heard from Capt Bcnnydeck
for some little Time Randall thought it de
sirahlc in Syducy'S interests to make in
quirjrN at his club. Nothing was known Of
the captain NIHrN"meutS there. On the chance
OF getting the nuurmaton that he wanted,
k1ndal wrote To the hotel at SandySeal.
The landlords reply little surprised him.
Some days since the yacht had again APP
rrarrd in the bay. Ctpt Bcnnydrck had
landed, to all appearance in fairly good
health, and had left by an early train for
London. The sailing announced that
he had orders to take the vessel back to her
pott-with no other explanation than that
the cruise was over. This alteration in the
captains plans terminating the VOYAGE a
month earlier than his arrangements had
contemplated puzzled Randall. He called
Mt his friends private residence, only to hear
from the servants that they had seen nothing
oi their master Randall waited awhile in
London on the chance that Bennydecll might
pay him a visit.
During this interval his patience was re-
waried III an unexpected manner. lie dis
covered the captain address by means of Il
letter from Catherine, dated Bucks Hotel,
Sydenham.' Having gently reproached him
Tor not writing to her or calling ON her, She
invited him 10 dinner at the hotel. Her let
ter concluded in these words:
You Will only meet one person besides
ourSclNeS-yOur friend and tSluce we last
metz our friend too. Capt. Bcnnydcck has
got tired OF the sea. He is STAYING ut our
hotel to try the air of Sydenham, and he
finds that it agrees with him.
These lines set Randall thinking seriously.
To represent Bennydeck as being tired of
the sea, and rs being willing to Try. in place
of the breezy channel, the air of 4 suburb of
London, was To make excuses too perfectly
futile and absurd To deceive any one who
knew the captain. In spite of the appear
anCe of Innocence which pervaded Cath
crimes letter, the true motive for breaking
of his cruise aIight be found, as Randall con-
Guided, in Catherine herself. Her residence
at the seaside, helped by the lapse of time,
had restored 10 her personal attractions al
most all that they had lost under the deteri-
Grating influences of care and grief; and her
change of name had evidently protected her
from discovery of the divorce which must
have shocked 4 man SO sincerely religious as
Rennydeck. Had her beauty fascinated him?
Was she aware OF the interest Tia. he felt IN
her? and was it secretly understood and re-
turnedE Randall wrote 10 accept the invita-
ton, determining 10 present himself before
the appointed hour, and To question Cath
crime privately without giving her the adj
vantage over hIm of preparing herself for
the interview.
In the short time that passed before the
day OF the dinner distressing circumstances
Strengthened his resolution. After months
of separation he received a visit from Her
bert.
Was this man-haggard. pallid, shabby,
looking at him pteouSly with bloodShot ewes
the handsome pleasant prosperous brother
whom he remembered? Randall was so
gricNed that he was for a moment unable to
utter word. He could only point 10 a seat.
Herbert dropped into the chair as il he was
reduced TO the last extremity OF fatigue. He
spoke roughly; he looked like an angry man
brought 10 bay.
Il seem u brighten you," he said
You distress me, Herbert, more than
wortiS can say
Give me 4 glass of wine I've been walk
ing-t don't know where. \ long distance:
I'm dead beat"
lie drank the wine greedily Whatever
reviying effect it might otherwise have pro-
duced ON him. it made no change in the
threatening gloom of his manner In man
morally weak, calamity Suffered without
resisting power breaks its way through the
surface which exhibits a gentleman and
shows the naked nature which claims kin
dred with our ancestor, the savage.
DO you feel better, Herbeftg'