Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-02-25


Mr.. Herbert LinIey arrived at his own
house in the forenoon of the next day. Mrs.
Linley, running out to the head Of the stairs
to meet her husband, saw him approaching
her without travelling companion. where
is the gOVernesS?" she asked-when the first
saluteS allowed her an opportunity Of speak
ing.
''On her way to bed, poor soul, under the
care of the housekeeper," LinIey answered.
Anything Infectious my dear HERBERT"
Mrs. Presty inquired, appearing at the break
faSt-rOOm door.
Linley addressed his reply to his wife.
Nothing more serious, Catherine, than
want Of strength. She was in such a state
of fatigue after our long night journey that
had to lift her out of the carriage"
Mrs. Presty listened with an appearance
of the deepest interest. 'Quite novelty in
the way of a goVerness," she said. MAY
ask what her name is?'
Sydney Westerfeld."
Mrs. Presty looked at her daughter and
smiled satiricalIy.
Mrs. Linley demonstrated.
Surely" she said, ''you don't object to the
young lady's name?'
L have no opinion 10 OISr, IaLneTlQ6.
don't believe in the name"
ooh mamma, do you suspect that it's an
assumed namep'
ask another question:" the old lady contin-
ued, turning to Linley. What references
did Miss Westerfield give you?"
mo references at ALL"
Mrs. Frosty rose with the aIacrity Of a
young woman, and hurried to the door. Fol
low my example," she said to her daughter,
on her way out. Lock up your jewel-box."
Linley drew deep breath of relief when
he was left alone with his wife. ''What
makes your mother so particularly disagree
able this mOrning?' he inquired.
"She doesn't approve, dear, OF my leaving
it to you to choose governess for Kitty"
"Where is KittyT'
"Out on her pony for a ride over the hills.
Why did you send a telegram, Herbert, to
prepare me for the gOveTneSS? Did YOU real
ly think might be jealous of Miss Wester-
field?'
Linley burst out laughing. NO such idea
entered my head" he answered. 1T isn't
IN you, my dear, to be Jealous"
Mrs. Linley was not quite satisfied with
this view of her character. Her husbands
Wellintended compliment reminded her that
there are occasions when any woman may be
Jealous no matter how generous and how
gentle she may be. 1--WE won't go quite So
far as that" she said to him, ''because-''
She stopped, unwilling to dwell. to- long on
delicate subject. He loosely finished the
sentence for her. Because we don't know
what may happen in the future?" he suggest
ed; making another mistake by making a
joke.
Mrs. Lnley returned to the subject Of the
governess.
Il don't at all say what my mother SAYS"
she resumed, ''but was it not just a little in
discreet to engage Miss WeSterieId without
any references"
Unless | am utterly mistaken, =" LinIey re-
piled, ''you would have been quite as indis-
Greet in ny place. If you had seen the hor-
rible woman who prosecuted and insulted
her.
His wife interrupted him. Glow did all
this happen, Herbert? Who first introduced
you to Miss Westerfeld?''
Llnley mentioned the advertisement, and
described his interview with the school-mis-
tresS. Having next acknowledged that he
had received visit from Miss Westerfeld
herself, he repeated all that she had been
able to tell him of her fathers wasted life
and melancholy end. Really interested by
this time, Mrs Linley was eager for more
information. Her husband hesitated. i
would rather you heard the rest Of it from
Miss Westertield," he said, ''in my absence"
''Why in your absence?"
Because she can speak to you more free
ly when am not present. Hear her tell her
own story, and then let me know whether
you think have made mistake l submit
to your decision beforehand, whichever way
it may incline.''
Mrs. Linley rewarded him with kiss. II
married stranger had seen them at that
moment he would have been reminded of
forgotten days-the days of his honeymoon.
And now" Linley resumed, suppose we
TAX little about ourselves. I haven't seen
my brother yet. Where is Randall"
Staying at the farm to look after your in
terests. We expect him to come back to-
day. All, Herbert, what do we not all owe
to that dear, good brother of yours? There
is really no end to his kindness. The last of
our poor highland families. who have emf
grated to America, have had their expenses
privately paid by Randall. The wife has
written to me, and has let out the secret.
There is an American newspaper among the
letters that are waiting your brothers return,
sent to him as little mark of attention by
these good, grateful people" Having allud-
ed to the neighbors who had left Scotland.
Mrs. Linley was reminded Of other neigh
hrr" VIII had remained She was still relat-
ing events of local interest, when the clock
interrupted her by striking the hour of the
nursery dinner. What had become of Kitty?
Mrs. Linley rose, and rang the bell to make
inquiries.
On the point OF answering, the servant