Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-22

10 church every Sunday and Kept new Tesla
ment, bound in excellent taste, on her toilet
table. The occasion suggested reflection on
the system which produces average Chris
tians at the present time. Nothing more was
said by Mrs. Presty. Mrs. Linley remained
absorbed in her own bitter thoughts. In ST.
lence they waited for the return of the car
riage and the appearance OF the goyerness.
H XVIII.
Pale, worn, haggard with anxiety, Sydney
Westerfield entered the room, and looked
once more on the faces which she had resign
ed herself never to see again. She appeared
to be hardly conscious of the kind reception
which did its best to set her at her ease.
''Am L in timeT' were the first words that
escaped her on entering the room. Reassured
by the answer, she turned back to the door;
eager to hurry upstairs to Kitty's bedside.
Mrs. Linley's gentle hand detained her.
The doctor had left certain instructions,
warning the mother to guard against any &C
cident that might remind Kitty of the day on
which Sydney had left her. At the time of
that bitter parting the child had seen her gov
erness in the same walking dress which she
wore now. Mrs. Linley removed the hat and
cloak and laid them on a chair.
must observe" she said; Il must ask you to
wait in my room until l find that you may
show yourself safely. Now come with me"
Mrs. Presty followed them, and begged
earnestly for leave to wait the result of the
momentouS experiment at the door of Kitty
bedroom. Her self-asserting manner had
vanished; she was quiet, she was even hum
BILE. While the last chance for the child's
70 Foe rofx ,4nc
only. the grandmother better nature show
ed itself On the surface. Randall opened the
door for them as the three went out together.
He was in that state of maddening anxiety
about his poor little niece in which men Of
his imaginative temperament become morbid
and say strangely inappropriate things. In
the same breath with which he implored his
sister-in-Iaw to let him hear what had hap
pened. without an instant of delay, he start
led Mrs. Presty by one of his familiar re-
marks on the inconsistencies in her character.
"You disagreeable old woman" he whisper
ed as she passed him, "you have got heart
after all"
Left alone, he was never for one moment
in repose, while the slow minutes followed
each other in the silent house.
He walked about the room, he listened at
the door, he arranged and disaITanged the
furniture. When the nursemaid descended
from the upper regions with her mistress
message for him, he ran out to meet her, saw
the good news in her smiling face, and, for
the first and last time in his life, kissed one
of his brothers female servants. Susan-a
well-bred young person, thoroughly capable
in ordinary cases Of saying For shame, sir p
and looking as if she expected to feeaan arm
under that astounding salute. Her masters
brother, a pattern of propriety up to that
time, man declared by her fellow-servants
to be incapable Of kissing woman unless
she had right to insist on it in the licensed
character of his wife, had evidently taken
leave of his senses. Would he bite her next?
No; he only looked confused, and said chow
very extraordinary that he would never do
it again. Susan gave her message gravely.
Here was an unintelligible man; she felt the
necessity Of being careful in her choice of
words.
miss Kitty stared at Miss Westerfield-
only Tor moment, Sir-aS it she didn't quite
understand, and then knew her again direct
ly. The doctor has just called. He drew up
the blind to let the light in, and he looked,
and he says: 'Only be careful" Ten
der-hearted Susan broke down and began to
cry. Il can't help it. sir; we are all so fond
of Miss Kitty, and we are SO happy. Only
be careful chose were the exact words, if
you please, and l answer for her life Oh,
dear! what have [ said to make him run
away from me?'
Randall had left her abruptly and had shut
himself into the drawing-room. Susan's eX-
perience of men had not yet informed her
4ho% %,-,o b Io
seen with the tears in los eyes.
He had barely succeeded in composing
himself when another servant appeared (thiS
time man) with something to say to him.
II don't know whether l have done right,
sir" Malcolm began. There's a stranger
downstairs among the tourists who are look
ing at the rooms and the pictures. He said
he knew you. And he asked if you were not
related to the gentleman who allowed travel
erS to see his interesting old house,
"WelI?'
''Well, sir, l said Yes And then he
at the present time"
Randall cut the mans story short. And
you said Yes again, and he gave you his
card. Let me look at it."
Malcolm produced the card and instantly
received instructions to show the gentleman
up. The name recalled the dinner at the
London club-Capt Bennydeck.
XIX.
The fair complexion of the captains youth
full days had been darkened by exposure to
hard weather and extreme climates. His
smooth face of twenty years since was scored
by the telltale marks of care; his dark beard
was beginning to present variety of color by
means of streaks of gray, and his hair was in
course of undisguised retreat from his strong,
broad forehead. Not rising above the middle
height, the captains spare figure was well
preserved. 1t revealed power and activity,
severely tested perhaps at some former time,