Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-03-18
ThG EVIL Genius.
ADOMESTIC STORY.
BY WILKIE COLLINS.

reproach.
Arrived at the limits of the lawn, two paths
opened before him. One led into quantity
pretty Enclosure, cultivated on the plan of
the old gardens at Versailles, and called the
French garden. The other path led to a
grassy walk, winding It's way capriciously
through thick shrubbery. Careless in what
direction he turned his steps, Linley entered
the shrubbery because it happened to be
nearest to him.
Except at certain points, where the moon
light found It's way through open spaces in
the verdure, the grassy path which he was
now following wound onward in shadow.
How far he had advanced he had not noticed
when he heard a mOmentary rustling of
leaves at some little distance in advance of
him. The faint breeze had died away; the
movement among the leaves had been no
doubt produced by the creeping or the flying
of some creature of the night Looking up
at the moment when he was disturbed by
this trffling incident he noticed a bright patch
of moonlight ahead as he advanced to new
turn in the path.
The instant afterward he was startled by
the appearance Of figure emerging into the
moonlight from the farther end of the shrub
berry and rapidly approaching him. He was
near enough to see that it was the figure of a
woman. Was it one of the female servants
hurrying back to the house after an inter
view with a sweetheart? In his black even
ing dress he was, in all probability, complete
ly hidden by the deep shadow in which he
stood. Would he be less likely to brighten
the woman if he called to her than if he al
lowed her to come close up to him in the
dark? He decided on calling to her.
WHO is out SO Iate"' he asked.
a cry Of alarm answered him. The figure
stood still for a moment, and then turned
back as if to escape him by flight.
Don't be frightened" he said. Surely
you know my vOice%'
The figure stood still again. He showed
himself in the moonlight, and discovered
Sydney Westerfield
Your he exclaimed.
She trembled; the words in which she an
Swered him were words in fragments
''The garden was so quiet and pretty
thought there would be no harm-please let
me go back-Pm afraid l shall be shut out"
She tried to pass him. My poor child"
he said, what is there to be frightened
about? l have been tempted out by the love-
ly night like you. Take my arm. 1t is so
close in here among the trees. If we go back
to the lawn the air will come to YOU freely"
She took his arm; he could feel her heart
thrObbing against it. Kindly silent, he led
her back to the open space. Some garden
chairs were placed here and there; he sug-
gested that she should rest for awhile.
Ppm afraid [ shall be shut out" she re-
peated. pray let me get back"
He yielded at once to the wish that she ex-
pressed. "YOu must let me take you back"
he exclaimed. 'They are all asleep at the
house by this time NO!noI don't be fright
ened again. l have got the key Of the door,
The moment have opened it you shall go in
by yourself"
She looked at him gratefully. ''You are
not offended with me now, Mr.. Linley," she
said. 'You are like your kind self again."
They assembled the steps which led to the
door. Linley took the key from his pocket
1t acted perfectly in drawing back the lock,
but the door, when he pushed it, resisted
him. He put his shoulder against it, and ex-
erted his strength, helped by his weight. The
door remained immOVable
Had one of the servants-sitting up later
than usual after the party, and not aware
that Mr.. Linley had gone into the garden
noticed the door, and carefully fastened the
bolts on the inner side? That was exactly
what had happened.
circumstances. LinIey led the way down
the steps again. 1--WE are shut out, he said
Sydney listened in silent dismay. He
seemed to be merely amused; he treated their
common misfortune as lightly as if it had
been joke.
There's nothing so very terrible in our
situation" he reminded her. THE serv-
ants offices will be opened between and Z
+loo iS md no
mer house in the French garden has one
easy-chair in it to my certain knowledge, in
which you may rest and sleep. I'm sure you
must be tired-let me take you there"
She drew back and looked up at the house.
Cant we make them hear us?" she asked.
''Quite impossible. Besides" He was
about to remind her of the evil construction
which might be placed on their appearance
together, returning from the garden at an
advanced hour of the night; but her innocence
pleaded with him to be silent. He only said
You forget that we all sleep at the top of
our old castle. There is no knocker to the
door and no bell that rings upstairs. Come
to the summer house. In an hour or two
more we shall see the sun rise"
She took his arm in silence. They reached
the French garden without another word
having passed between them.
The summer house had been designed, in
harmony with the French taste of the last
century, from a classical model. 1t was a
rough copy in wood of the temple of Vesta
at Rome. Opening the door for his cOmpan-
ion, Linley paused before he followed her in.
A girl brought up by a careful mother would
have understood and appreciated his hesita-
ton; she would have concealed any little
feeling of embarrassment that might have
troubled her at the moment, and would have
asked him to come back and let her know
when the rising of the sun began. Neglect
ed by her mother, worse than neglected by
her aunt, Sydney fearless ignorance put q
question which would have lowered the pool
girl cruelty in the estimation of stranger
Are you going to leave me here by myself?'
she asked. why don't you come in?'
Linley thought of his visit to the school
and remembered the detestable mistress. IL
eN-Hsed Sydney; he felt for her. She held
the door open for him. Sure of himself, ht
entered the summer house.
As mark of respect on her part, she of
fered the armchair to him; it was the one
L II