Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-04-30


who is hep"
Capt Bennydeck."
'In the army?"
mo; formerly in the navy"
"And you and he had long talk togeth-
er?''
RandaPs tones began to betray irritation.
NO" he said; "we were at opposite ends of
the table-and the captain went away early"
Mrs. Presty's vigorous intellect discovered
an improbability here. Then how came
you to feel interested In him?" she objected.
Even Randars patience gave way. Il can't
account or it." he said, sharply. Il only
know took liking to Capt Bennydeck."
lie left Mrs. Presty and sat down by his
brother. "YOu know feel for you" he
said, taking Linley's hand. TRY to hope"
The bitterness of the fathers despair broke
out in his answer. Il can bear other troubles,
Randall, as well as most men. This affiicton
reyolts me. There's something so horribly
unnatural in the child being threatened by
DEATH while the parents (whO should die
hrsU are alive and we'll" He checked
himself. Il had better say no more, shal!
only.shock you"
The misery In his face wnlng the faithful
heart OF his wife. She forgot the cOncilia-
tory expressions which She had prepared her
self to use. Hope my dear, as Randall tells
you" she said, because there is hope"
His face flushed, his dim eyes frightened.
Has the doctor said it?' he asked.
Yes"
why haven't been told Of it bclore?'
when sent for you | heard that you had
gone out"
The explanation passed by him unnotced
perhaps even unheard. Tell me what the
doctor said" he insisted; II want it exactly,
word for word"
She obcyed him to the letter.
The sinister change in his face, as the mar
rative proceeded was observed ~ both the
other persons present as well as by ls wife.
She waited for Il kind word Of encourage
ment. He only said, coldIy: What have
you done?'
Speaking codIy on her Side, She answered:
II have sent the carriage 10 fetch Miss West
eriield."
There was pause. Mrs. Prcsty whisper
ed to Randall: Il knew she would come
back againl The Evil Genius Of the family
that's what call Miss WestcriicId. The
name exactly fits her"
The idea in Randals mind was that the
name exactly fitted Mrs. prcaty. lie made
no reply; his eyes rested ia sympathy ON his
sstcr-in-aw. She saw, and felt, his kind
ness at u time when kindness was doubly
precious Her tones tremblcd a little as She
spoke to her silent husband.
Don't you approve Of what have done,
HERBERT
His nerves were shattered by grief and SrlS-
pcnse, but he mrdc AN effort this time to
speak gently. How can say that" he re-
piled, III the poor chId'S life depends on
Miss Wcstcricld? | ask one favor give me
time to leave the house before she comes
here"
Mrs. LinIcy looked at him in amazcmcnt
Her mother touched her arm; Randall tried
by sign to warn her to be careful. Their
calmer minds had seen what the wife's agi-
tatlon had prevented her from discovering
In Ilney'S position the return of the gov
ernoSS was trial to his sclf-CGntrOl which
he had reason to dread; his look his voice.
his manner, proclaimed il to persons capable
of quietly observing hlm. He had struggled
against his guilty passion-at what sacrifice
of his own feelings no one knew but himself
and here was the temptation, at the very
time when lie was hOnoraby resisting it.
brought back to him 10y his wfc Her mo-
tive did unqucstionabIy excuse, perhaps even
sanction, what She had done; hut this was an
estimate of her conduct which commended
itself To others. From his point of ycw-no-
against himself in danger of being renewed;
he felt the ground that lie had gained Slip
ping from under him already
In spite OF the wclmcant efforts made by
her relatives to prcvcnt it, Mrs. Linlcy com
rnittcG the very crS'r which IL was most i'm
portant that she should avoid. She justified
herself, instead Of leaving 1t to events to
Justify her Miss Wcstcrhcld comes here"
She argued, ION an crrlnd that is beyond re
preach an crrand at mercy. Why should
you leave the house"
"In Justice to You" Linlcy answered
Mrs prraty cuud restrain herself no long
e.. "Dtop it, Catherine" she said IN a
whisper.
Catherine refused to drop it; Linley'a short
and sharp roply had iuilatcd her. After
INV experience sho persisted, "hayo | 10
reason 10 trust YOU
1T Is part of your experience" he remind
eel her, that | promised not TO see Miss
Wcstcrticld again"
own It at orceg she broke ont, provoked
beyond endurance; though may Ice will
ing To trust you you are afraid To trust Your
self"
Uulucky Mrs. presty iutcrlrrcd again
YOU'RE quite right. Herbert Keep out OF
harms way, and You keep right"
She rattcd him on the shoulder, as If She
had been giving good advIrc to boy lie
expressed his sense OF his mother n-law's
friendly offices IN lap,uagc which astuuished
her
Hold your tougucI'
DO you hear that Mrs PreSty asked,
appealing Indignantly 10 her daughter.
I4iuley took his hat AT what time do
YOU expect Miss WeSterlicld To anivr?" he
said to his wife.
She looh,7l at the clock on the ntantr!pircc
Before the haIl-hour strikes. Don't be
alarmed she added, Wiz an air of irouical
sympathy; you will have time to make your
escape"
lie advanced to the door, aud looked at
her
One thing beg You vii rememhcr.' he
said. Every halt-hour while ana away q
am going Ia the farm you are to sent and
let me know how KITTY iS-and especially if
Miss WcSterticld juStiGcs the experiment
which the doctor has advised It's to trv.'
Having given hose instructions
out
The sofa was near Mrs. Lulcy. She sank
ON II, ovcrpowcrd by the utter destruction
OF the hopes that She had founded on the
separation of Herbert aud the goycrnesS,
hNNAtl WIS SUI III IhhStNNltiA VI
her husbands heart,
Her mother was surely the right person To
say a eupt ot comfort to her. Randall made
the Suggestion with the worst possible NJ
suit Mrs. PuNty had not forgotten that she
had been told-at her age, in her position as
the widow OF u cabinet minister 10 hold her
tongue. Your brother has usulted me-
She said 10 Randall. lie was weak enough to
attempt TO make an explanation. IL was
spea6in. of my brothers wife, he said.
Your brothers wife has allowed me 10 be
mSulted.' Having received that reply RAN
dial could only wonder. This woman went
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
tnns 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
riagc and the appearance OF the goycrneSs.
XVIII.
Pale, worn, haggard with anxiety, Sydney
WeSterheld entered the room, and looked
once moro on the faces which she had resign
Ell herself never 10 see again. She appeared
TO be hardly conscious OF the kind reception