Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-07-23
I'lG Evil Genius.
A DOMESTIC STORY.

In spite of Mrs. Presty. in spite of himself,
his heart softened toward the man who had
behaved SO badly to him. Instead OF read.
Ing the letter he was now trying % discover
n connection between his brothers visit 10
the club and bis brothers angry HaFsnge.
Had Herbert heard something said, aniBiig
gossiping members in tic smoking room,
which might account for hi! conduct? If
Randall had belonged to the club lie would
have gone there to make inquiries. How
could he get the information that lie wanted
In some other way?
After considering for while lie remem-
bered the dinner that he had given to his
friend Sarrazin on his return from the y hited
States, and the departure OF the lawyer 10
his club with a purpose III view which inter
este.l them both Il was the same club to
which Herbert belonged Randall wrote at
once to Mr.. Sarrazin, mentioning what had
happened and acknowledging the anxiety
that weighed on his mind.
Having Instructed Malcolm to take the let
ter to the lawyers house, and, If he was not
at home, to inquire where he might be found,
Randall adopted the rcadcst means OF COIN
posing himself, in the servants absence, by
lighting his pipe.
He was enyeloped in clouds of tobacco
smoke-the only clouds which we can trust
never 10 prove unworthy OF our confidence
In thcm-when Mrs. Presty's letter caught
his attention. II the month had been Janu-
arg instead OF July, he would have thrown
1t into the fire. Under present circumstances
he took 1t up and read it.
II bear no malice, dear Randall and |
write 10 you as aifectiOnately as If you had
kept your temper on the occasion when we
last met
you will be pleased to hear that Gather
Inc was as thoroughly distressed as you cduld
wish her to be, when ii became my disagree
able duty to mention what had passed be-
tween us. by way of accounting for your alb
scnce She was quite unable to rally her
spirits. even with dear Capt Bennydeck
present To encourage her.
- i am not receiving you as j ought she
sasi 10 him, when we began dinner. but
there H. perhaps, some excuse for me- i have
lost the regard and esteem of an old friend,
who Has cruelty wronged ne From mo-
tves " delicacy (Which ! don't expect you
10 nIderstand) she RETAINED from mention
ing your name. You still keep your place,
your unmcrited place, ia the captains csti-
nation. lie asked no embarrassing queS
tons: he was too cXquisltely polite To at
tempt 10 insinuate himself into GATHERINGS
confidence. The prettiest answer that | ever
heard was the answer that he addressed 70
her. Let the true friend, he said, take the
place In your heart which the false friend
has lost
"iIc kissed her hand. II you had seen how
he did IT, and how she looked at him, you
would have felt that you had done more to-
ward prrsuading my daughter 10 marry the
captain than any other person about her,
ryself included. You had deserted her;
y,iu had thrown her back on the one friend
left. Thank you, Randall In our best i'll
tercsts, thank You
1T is needless to add that | got out of the
nd I'll,
81 ;,ortunity- and left them 10y themselves
al bed time | went into GATHERINGS room.
Our interview began and cnu,d IN less than
minute. ii was useless Ia ask II the cap
tain had proposed marriage; her agitation
sufficiently informed me Of what had hap
pcned. My one question was: Dearest
Catherine, have you said yes? She turned
slIockingly pale, and answered: i have not
said no Could anything b. more cmcOur-
aging? God bless ou good-by for the pres
"nt Ardbciid PreStY'
Randall Laid down the letter ami filled his
pipe again. lie was not In the least cxas-
pcratcd; he was only anxious to hear from
Mr Sarrazin. II Mrs. Prc<ly had seen him
at thai moment shr would have said to her
self: II forgot the wretch was Il smoker"
In half an hour more the door WAS opened
by Malcolm. and Mr. Surrazin entered the
room.
There ar, no such incUrTigibIc goSsius,"
lie said, las men in the smoking room of n
club. Those ponular newspapers began the
mischief and the cditorof one of them com
plctcd 1t. How he got his information am
not able to SAY The Small-tak turned on
that report about the charming widow and
the editor congratulated himself on the deli
cacy of his conduct when the paragraph
reached me, he said, the writer mentioned
that Mrs. DfmOnd was that Wcll-knoWn
lady the divorced Mrs Herbert Linlcy. |
thpIght this rather too bad, aud | cut il out
Your brother appears Ia have been present
but he seldom goes to the club and none of
the members knew him even 10y sight Shall
give you light? Your pipes out"
Ia.udaI's feelings at that moment were not
within reach of the comforting influence of
tobacco.