Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-29
A FAMILY AFFAIR
BY HUGH CONW AY,
Author Of Called Backs and Ozark Days.
CHAPTER-NIX CONTINUED

Whats the matter now, Joe" asked the
Loness, rather anxiously, as her spouse -
turned.
Say the last cask o beer ran out two
days before its time, so couldn't have h,N.a
full. They look after trifes, they do"
oh NONSENSE said the Lioness, tossing
her head. Some one must have got st l.
Their servants are no better than others
who are theyT asked Hervey.
The Mr.. Talberts of Hazlewood House"
replied the landlady, with that smile on her
face which seemed to come involuntarily On
the faces of many people when they men
toned or heard the name of our gentle HoT-
ace and Herbert.
Hervey went hastily to the window and
looked after the wagonette, which, however,
was by now out OF sight
erich men, l supposeE' he said, reSeatiag
himself.
They're rich enough; but oh, that part:c-
ularp' said the Lioness, with another toss OF
her head The accusation Of short rnsaSUre
ranked in her breast
''Close-fstedT' asked Hervey.
well, yes, they're close said the Lion.
THAT is, they like to get a shil!ing's WORTH
for shilling
Two brandies-one for you and one for ne "
1hC AAOA& lsiOSASSl dliIl A44co hbC
Hervey adroitly piled him with questions
about the Talberts, and soon learnt almost
as much as we know. He laughed with The
landlord at their amiable peculiarities. Il
was well our friends did not hear the Red
| Lion, or Hazelwood House might have zone
elsewhere for its beer
They are funny gents" said the Lion
/ YOU'D never believe; but a day or two
ago l was walking along the road. 1t was
drilling with rain. The Mr.. Talberts they
passed me, driving. All of a sudden they
pull up at the hedge round their paddock
/ Mr.. Herbert he jumps down; he takes the
whip and with the handle begins poking
furiously in the hedge l ran up thinking
something was the matter. Law no! not it.
/ He was a poking at a bit of white paper
which had blown in there. Poke and poke
he did till he got it out-and Mr.. Horace
the while holding the horses and sitting and
| looking on as if it meant life or death getting
out that paper. Rum thing TO be 50 part leu
| lar, amt it?'
Hervey protested himself much amused
and continued his questions. He heard all
about Miss Clauson, the niece who had been
staying at Oakbury for SO long. He even
| learned the name Of every member Of the
Hazlewood House establishment, from that
of the Oldest retainer, Whitaker, to that of
the latest arrival, Mrs. Miller the nurse. Es
heard, of course the whole history, with ad.
ditions, of the mysteriously-sent boy. And
when he was told this, in spite of his self
control, a look of utter amazement spread
over his face. He rose, and babe the Red
Lion good day. The story he had heard
must have engrossed his mind to an tmpre-
cedented extent, for he actually forgot to
finish his brandy and water, fattering
a listener.
After leaving the inn Hervey took the first
turning out of the main road 1t was a
little by-way leading to nowhere in particu-
lar. Here as no onloolers were about, he
gave vent to delight by sundry actions CON-
mon to most men as soon as they find them
selves alone after having received the best
possible news. He smacked his thigh; he
rubbed his hands together; he seemed to hug
himself in his joy. He laughed aloud but
there was a cruel ring in his laugh, and there
was cruel look on his laughing mouth. His
eyes frightened with the blended lights Of
malice and anticipated triumph.
"What luckr' he CALCULATED. What luck
see it all from the very beginning. Con
found It'll it was a clever stroke. By c.
I've got her nowl I've got her now!n
He Gained himself, returned to the mar
road and inquired the way to Hazlewooc
House. He stood for some time in front o
the entrance gates but finding that only tn,
chimneys of the house could be seen from
this point he walked round until he could ge
better idea of the building. sit all mean
money! Pots of money!" he said, with glee
After this he returned to the gates, and i
seemed as if he meant to favor our friend
with a call However, if SO, he changed hi
mind
''No," he said turning away. There's
new element in the case which must be con
sidered. No need to be in hurry. III g
Back home and think it all out over a pipe.
So he faced about, and, in a thoughtful
way, sauntered down the lane, or road, who's
mission in this world is to give access to Ha
zewood House and two or three other equally
desirable residences.
1t was glorious winters day. The SUI
was shining brightly; so brightly that on The
bare twigs Of the hedges the boar frost Of
The night had resolved itself into crysta
lrops which shone like jewels, and then, as i
alarmed at their Protean nature, trembleC
and fell. Although silvery haze hung rount
The horizon there was nofog. The air was
sharp and crisp, but not camp. The wind il
cold was quiet. 1t was cay of thousand
8 day, in fact, on which, if she knows hel
business, a woman who has charge OF a child
iakeS it out for good long walk.
Mrs Miller knew her business, so it wa.
quite in order that as Maurice Hervey wa:
walking down the lane the nurse and the boy
, III their way home to early dinner, should
! lie walking up. Hervey, whilst deep in hi:
rleditations heard voice, and looking III
saw the dark clad woman and the golden
/, haired child within few PAGES of him. Hi
| short ond locLa1 or thhn1
Hervey to-day presented an appearance Sc
different from that of the Gagged creature seer
10y Mrs. Miller at Portland that she would
probably have passed him without recogni
ton He was now fashionably dressed and
had it suited his purpose, might have brushed
elbows with the woman and yet left he
ignorant of his release. This not being hi
purpose he stopped short and waited. Natur
ally shs raised her eyes aud at once knew tn
truth.
! Had Sarah Miller followed the impuls
= which seized her when she saw that face
full Of knocking triumph, she would hav
uttered cry of anguish Only the fear O
alarming the child prevented her from s.
. doing. As it was she gave quick gasp, anc
| for a moment gazed at the man as if she say
! a ghost. Then she STOPPED and said to th
loy: Run on, my pretty, run as fast a
YOU can" The boy obeved. Hervey mad
70 effort to stop him, but be turned and fol
owed him with his eyes. Then once more h
laced Mrs. Miller.
= She had by now recovered from the frs
shock. and looked at him not SO much wit
fear as with hatred and defiance. She too
Il few steps, passed him, and placed herself q
+ to bar the way to Hazlewood House.
What you doing hereT she as<e
a tiercely.
lg MY dear Sarah" said the man in mock
ing tones, what a strange question to ask
r, Considering your anxiety to appoint tn
, earliest day possible for our meeting, is
any wonder that l come at once to find YOU
Now you've found me, what do 20
vantF'
My poor Sarah, can't you guess. Whe
\ you paid me that friendly visit last surnme
!. 7 told You what 1 pinned for. l have com
% you in order to find some once else"
T She IS hundreds Of miles from here. YOU
never see her again.
Even as she told the lie her heart sanl
The CLEAN in Hervey's eyes showed her st
i-Gd lied in vain, He laughed like one enjoI
ing the situation. Never see her again
lie echoed. Il am inconsolable. But chanC
meetings do something's occur. You don
mean TO give CT sell ne any information,
s1Ippose.n
I'D cut my tongue out first
.'Oh, true and faithful servant, Then it
- "a, sroc1 aSkir,- RJIr aTtofir yOurSalf s