Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-06-07
AUNT AND Niece,
The Mistress Of
Hardwood.
BY GERALD CARLTON.
CHAPTER yIII-contlnued.

your own interests-you are darkenine
your own prospects. said the banker.
am sorry that you think so, Sir
Landy replied Will. "But cannot ac-
cept your offer.
Mr.. Tryfoil although I condemn your
folly in refusing" went on Sir Landy, Il
am ready still to effect the desired result
in another way. Finish the pictures you
have on hand--you have some time to
spare and l will purchase them, or pro-
cure their being purchased at high price.
"Once more thank you, but once more
must refuse" Will firmly answered.
This is sheer childishness, cried the
banker, losing temper "As there is no
obligation in tho matter, will accept no
refusal. Being man of wealth and posi-
tion.' he haughtlly added Il propose TO
employ the interest possess insuch affairs
toward obtaining good market for your
IN weeks time, Mr.. 1ryfoil, on this sub
ject. By then / hope to have your recon-
sidered decision. For the present let the
subject be closed"
In due time they arrived at the railway
station.
Consider well on what / have been say
ing" Sir Landy observed just as the train
came in sight, "and do not rely too much
on remaining at Hazelwood House for a
year. Miss Wentworth is changeable, and
thousand unexpected events may happen
before the year Is out For instance" he
added, uneasily, with his eyes fixed on the
approaching train, "my interview with Miss
Bentley last night may lead to change in
Hazelwood House, which would possibly
result in your departure from it. l say
possibly, because one change invariably
leads to others. l therefore strongly urge
you to accept one of my offers, and to make
yourself tirmer footing in life.
1t seemed to Will that Sir Landy was
trying vainly to drag into his words certain
ones which would not fall in naturally, and
he was right. Seeing that the train was
only hundred yards from the platform,
the banker spoke the certain words the
effect Of which was very sudden and some
what startling.
1T is likely that Miss Wentworth mean
that Miss Bentley may marry before the
year is out.
oh, indeed" said Will. II hope you
~ill have pleasant journey to London,
sir.
"Yes, said Sir Landy, taking no notice Of
the young mans expressed hope; 1T is very
indeed" said Will again, not knowing
what else to say under the circumstances.
Yes, said the banker.
Two minutes after which yes" he and
his man were journeying to Edinburgh to
change trains for London. while Will Try
foil walked back at brisk pace to Hazel
wood House.
So briskly, indeed, did he walk, and so
busily did his late conversation with the
banker set his thoughts to work, that when he
deemed himself half way to his destination,
he found that he was more than half mile
PAST it.
Accordingly he retraced his steps, and
when he arrived at Hazelwood House the
hall clock silently intimated to him that the
hour was ten minutes to seven.
He hurried to his room, and quickly
dressed for dinner.
While he was giving the last touch to his
necktie, Miss Bentley knocked at his bed
room door.
Are you there, Mr.. Tryfoils" she in
CURED
He opened it Immediately.
Il beg your pardon. he said. Il hope
have not kept you waiting have only just
returned from the station.
She pnt her arm through his, and they
walked down the stairs together.
When they reached the hall, Miss Bent
ley laughed lightly, and said:
AWell?"
Well what is the matter. Miss Bentley"
1t had Just occurred to Will at that mo-
"What is the matter with your memory,
Mr.. Tryfoil?' she asked, playfully.
"Good gracious!' he exclaimed. Mr..
Graham--has he arrived"
"Yes. He is in the dining room"
And do you like him?."
sYou want my opinion, of course?"
Will bowed
"No!" she replied. "He is not gentle
man. He is dreadfully vulgar, dreadfully
soc1. - =:
to come; but shall be really more obliged
to him when he has gone.
Will instantly thought of that sketch Of
Ada's which he had destroyed in the
library. Perhaps" he ruminated, Il
should not have risked his coming. She
may be struck with the resemblance. as
was. For the instant.
Entering the dining room, the group by
the fireplace, of Mrs. Harcourt Ada, and
Jack Graham caused them TO laugh very
heartily.
The whole thing was so eminently UNI
like Hardwood House!
Mrs. Harconrt. had lately purchased some
fine pomegrtnates, which were placed on {
side-table rs curiosites. Jack had pos
sessed himself of three of these, and. aftel
the manner of street iugglers, was hurlins
them ono after another into the air, ani
Z catching them as they fell most dexterious-
u, only 10 threw them high into the all
again.
His two auditors we're laughing glcefully
It bis efforts.
During diuner the annuity business
which had brought him TO Hazelwood
House was in q few words settled; and on
that subject. at least, it was evident that
Jack Graham was d valuable authority. He
advised Mrs. Harcour. to invest her money
for the benefit Of her Madras grandson, in
3 way that no one had thought of before;
giving her his reasons, and telling her ex-
actly what had to be done. and how she
VAS TO do it; and altogether satisfying her
1 on That momentous matter which had puz-
xIed her brains so much.
His advice was good-clearly. cleverly,
and quickly expressed; and Mrs. Harcourt
resolved 10 follow it.
When the ladies' had retired, and the two
Young men wero left alone together, Wills
hret words were:
Well, jack, how was Emily when you
Int SAW herr
Splendid, replied Jack. by Jove!
though. have forgotten something"
WHAT"
r bad few lines from her this morn
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