Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-06
MRS. WILLOWS GUESTS.

MRS. WILLOWS GUESTS.
II have made the acquaintance of q
most charming man," said pretty Mrs.
Wilton to her husband; and then glancing
at handsome girl who was longing in
low chair toying with a Japanese hand
screen, she added: Il am going to ask
him to dinner"
evil he do for me" asked the young
lady languidly. 81 presume he is bach
elor, as I know how you dislike married
men. Has ne stacks and sheaves of
money? Or are you selfish, and do you
want him all to yourself?"
'sTo tell the TRUTH" replied Ida Wilton,
81 rather have my eye on him for you. [
have not discovered yet whether he is
rich, but fancy he must be well off. He
spoke inc1dently of a moor and yacht"
"Then I accept him with my eyes shut"
said HiIde Gordoa. 81 shall be 81 the
day after tomorrow, and, having been
idiot enough to miss what chances have
come in my way hitherto by being too
fastidious, am now prepared to accept
any man with money, even if he squints,
or has red hair or red nose"
Here, looking up, she meets deeply
uuG IA SioaSO hiOAi
Wilson's husband, Ida having for the mo-
ment sat down to her writing table.
Hilda gives him a little nod, which says,
81 am not joking; ! mean it,
"What day shall I ask him." said Ida,
referring to her husband.
"Any day you like that we're disengag-
ed" he replied obligingly.
To-day is Monday" muses. Ida. eve
are doing nothing on Thursday or Friday
I will write and give him the choice. Go
and put on your bonnet, Hiida; the vic
toria will be round in ten minutes, and
you take twice as long as I do"
Captain Kildare selected Friday on
which to accept Mrs. Wilson's invitation.
He was punctual by habit, and intended
to arrive promptly at eight, the hour for
which he was invited, but as the horse in
the hanson that conveyed him was so
smart and swift it landed him at his des-
tination five minut IS before the appoint
ed time. Mrs. Wilson was in the drawing
room ready to receive him. She greeted
him with a pretty cordiality, which en-
HANGED the good opinion he had already
formed of he-; and, for her part, she was
glad to and that he was quite as nice as
she had previously thought him.
Geo Kildare was tall, good looking
man, with a quiet manner, be had plenty
to say for himself, and was absolutely
devoid of swagger and affectatiOn, which
is more than quite true of all the young
men of the present day even of those who
are fairly good fellows.
81 want you to know my husband"
said Ida beamingly. "You are sure to
get on, as you are both sportsmen, and
you are to meet my bosom friend, Hilda
Gordon, charming girl and SO handsom.
We shall be only four. [ thought you
would not mind a small party"
Captain Kildare, with friendly smile
in his blue eyes, declared that he liked
nothing SO much.
81 knew he was nice man." was Ida's
self-congratulatory thought; "and how
we'll dressed he isl" For, though the
evening dress of most all men is appar-
entity alike, it is wonderful what var1a-
tions of fit and wear it is capable of.
The clock chimed 8.
81 must apologize for my husband be-
ing late" said Ida; "but he is not the
most punctual of men, and Hilda is al.
ways late.''
Captain Kildare, of course, declared
til a. the fault lay with him in being too
early, and descanted on the differences
between hansoms. Then they had five
minutes more pleasant chat, becoming
every moment better disposed toward
each other.
The door opened. Hilda came tripping
in, followed by Algy. The girl was ad-
vancing effusively to kiss her hostess and
apologize for her lateness, when catching
sight of Captain Kildare, who had risen,
she stopped and turned CHASTITY white.
Ida saw something was wrong, and wish
ing to divert the two mems notice, said
hurriedly:
s'Algy, this is Captain Kildare. Captain
Kildare, my husband"
Bot, 10! Algy had turned crimson and
looked daggers> and Captain kildare wore
the appearance of a stone or marble
statue.
George Kildare was man who pos
sessed presence of mind. One moment
of rapid reflection convinced him that
under the circumstances, there was only
one thing to be done, and he did it. He
walked quickly to the door, opened it
without haste and closed it again behind
him. The butler was in the hall.
sect me my coat and hat, will you? '
said Kildare. "I'm taken suddenly IN
WE'LL"
The butler deeply concerned, was pro-
fuse in offers of assistance, as it never
dawned on him that anything could have
gone wrong upstairs. But Kildare de-
clined, averring that nothing was any
good for him except air. AS he walked
away, however, his gait was extremely
erect. and there was nothing of the inval-
id about him.
"This," he reflected, sis a very remark
able occurrence, and strange and alb
ru pit finale to the pleasant evening l ex-
pected. Poor little woman! Well, must
dine all the same!" And, hailing pass
ing hanson, he jumped in, and told the
man to drive to a certain club.
Meantime in the drawing room, which
he was swiftly leaving behind, confusion
reigned. Hilda had sunk listlessly into q
chair. Ida vas looking half angry, half
frightened, and Algy was strutting about
like an enraged turkey cock.
"What on earth does all this N ean?"
exclaimed Ida, ready to cry.
It occurred to Algy, who was not clever,
and did not possess cool head like Kill
ness was bluster.
"This comes of your inviting strange
men into the house." he said. angrily.
Glow can woman tell whether man is
snob or a blackguard?"
81 am sure" cried Ida, reddenipg, that
he is neither one nor the other, if he were,
is it likely he would have been at the
Fiemings?"
"Well," retorted Algy, you saw the way
he sueaked cut. [ don't suppose man