Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-04
The Evil CGliuS.
ADOMESTEC STORY.
by WILKIE COLLINS.
BEFORE THE STORY.
5.-The Landlord.

without hesitation, she sent in her card to
the landlord. He opened the parlor door
himself and invited her to walk in.
''You wear WE'LL" ne said, admiring her.
''Have you come here to be my barmaid
again?"
do you think am reduced to that?" she
answered.
"Well, my dear, more unlikely things have
happened. They tell me you depend for
your income on Lord Ie Basque-and his
lOrdshp'S death was in the newspapers last
week"
And his lordship's lawyers continue my
allowance"
Having smartIy set the landlord right in
those words, she had not thought it necessary
to add that Lady lie Basque, continuing the
allowance at her husbands request had also
notified that it would cease il Mrs. WeSter-
field married again.
'You're lucky woman" the landlord re-
marked ''WeU, I'm glad to see you. What
viii you take to drink"
Nothing, thank you. | want to know if
you rave heard anything lately of James
Bellbridge"
The landlord was popular person IN his
own circle; not accustomed to restrain him
cOnstancyp' he said "She's sweet0n James,
after having Tilted him twelve years agor'
Mrs. Westerlield rose with dignity. II
am accustomed to be treated respectfully"
she replied. II wish you gOod-morning
The easy landlord pressed her back into
her chair. Don't be fool, - he said. James
is in London; James is staying in my house.
What do you think of that?"
Mrs. Westerfeld's bold gray eyes express
ed eager curiosity and interest. you don't
mean that he is going to be barman here
again?"
mo such luck, my dear; he is gentleman
at large, VINO patronizes my house."
Mrs. Westertield went on with her CUES
tons.
HAS he left America for good?''
Not he! James BelIbridge is going back
to New York, to open saloon Gas they call
i0, in partnership with another man. He's
in England, he says, on business. It's my
belief that he wants money for this new
venture, ON bad security. They're smart peo-
pie in New York. His only chance of get
ting his bills discounted is to humbug his re-
lations down in the country"
'When does he go to the contry?"
'He'S there now"
''When does he come back?"
YOU'RE determined to see him, it appears!
He comes back Tomorrow"
rs he married."
''Ahal now we're coming to the point.
Make your mind easy. Plenty of women
have set the trap for him, but he has not
walked into it yet. Shall [ give him your
lover"
YES" she said, coolIy; "as much love as
you please"
Meaning MARRIAGE" the landlord inquir-
Cd
"And money!" Mrs. Westerfeld added.
Lord lie Basque's money!"
Lord lie BasQue's money may go to the
deyiIp'
"HulIo! Your language reminds me Of
the time when you were barmaid. You don't
mean to say you have had fortune Ieftyou?''
L do! VIII you give message to James,"
'Pll do anything for a lady with fort
une."
'"Tell him to come and drink tea with his
old sweetheart tomorrow at 6 o'clock"
HE won't do it,
He will"
With that difference of opinion they part
cd.
6.-Ihe Brute.
Tomorrow came-and Mrs. Westerfelds
him.
"Oh, Jenny, how glad I am to see you!
You dear, dear fellow, I am yours at last"
THAT depends my lady, on whether I
want you. Let go OF my neck"
The man who entered this protest against
imprisonment in the arms of a fine woman
was one of the human beings who are grown
to perfection on English soil. He had the
fat face, the pink complexion, the hard blue
eyes, the scanty yellow hair, the smile with
nc meaning in it, the tremendous neck and
shoulders, the mighty fists and feet, which
are seen III complete combination in England
only. Men Of this breed possess a nervous
system without being aware Of it; suffer af-
Fiction without feeling it; exercise courage
without sense of danger; marry without
love; eat and drink without limit; and sink
(big as they are) when disease attacks them,
without an effort to live.
Mrs. Westerfield released her guests bull
neck at the word Of command. It was i'm
possible not to submit to him-he was SO
brutal. Impossible not to admire him-he
was so big
! "Have you no love left for me?" was all
Sic ventured to say.
lie took the remOnStrance good-humoredIv.
after throwing me over for a man with
handle to his name. Which am to call you;
Mrs ? OF My Lady ?''
Call me your own. What is there to laugh
atJemmy? You used to be fond of me; you
would never have gone to America when I
married Westerfeld if [ hadn't been dear to
you. oh, If Pm sure of anything Pm sure of
that! You wouldn't bear malice dear, if
you only knew how cruelty have been dis
appointed
He suddenly showed an interest in what
she was saying; the brute became CHEEKY
and confidential. $50 he made you a bad
husband, did he? Up with his fist and
knocked you down, dare say, if the truth
was known?'
YOU'RE all in the wrong, dear. He would
have been a good husband if had cared
about him. never cared about anybody but
you. Itwasn't WesterfieId who tempted HE
to say yes"
That's a lie."
No, indeed it isn't''
Then why the devil did you marry him?'
when married him, Jenny, there was
a prospect-oh, how could resist it? Think
lgNnHN