Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-13

My wife and 1 being IN our pedroom, 1
said that was not inclined for bed, and
that [ would take stroll in the garden
and smoke cigar. There was nothing
unusual in this; had often done the like.
DO not be long" said my wife, "and
do not worry yourself over what I said
this morning. We shall soon know the
worst; and, after ALL 1 may be mistaken u
What harnesses me-" replied, sis, what
we shall do if you are not mistaken, and if
we fail to reconcile Mr.. Wilmot to Eunice's
engagement We shall be thrown upon
the world absolutely beggared."
Even if it comes to that" said my
sweet wife, 1--WE must meet it braVely.
There are worse misfortunes, Richard"
81 cannot imagine them," l said, with
an impatient frown.
Disgrace is worse" my wife said, press
ing me to her heart. "Our good name
will be left to US; and Harry will be true
to Eunice."
81 doubt it," I said.
'RichardP' cried my wife. 'You are
wrong-you are wrong! Harry is the
soul of faithfulness. 1t would break my
heart if I thought otherwisel And Eu-
nice-our dear child-what would become
of her?"
cat all hazards" I said, scarcely con
scious of the words I was uttering, sat all
risks, her happiness must be insured. It
I shall bet shall be! I swear it!''
''It viii not" said my wife; Harry will
be true to our dear child. Her sweet ma.
ture. our honored nam"
''Will count for very little'' l interrupt
ed, Gin Mr.. Clanronald's eyes without g
proper dOwry. l know the world
1t was an idle boast knew but little
of the world, and was i'll able to cope with
its difficulties. Ny wife made no further
attempt to dispel my gloom, deeming it
best-as it often is when man is sorely
wrought-to allow it to work its own
cure. She babe me go and smoke my
cigar, and handed me my cigar-case, which
I should have forgotten in my perturba-
ton. The case was one which she had
presented to me in former years, and on
its cover was my monogram, ''R. p" in
raised letters of silver.
Before you CO. Richard" she said, 81
must say word upon another matter. I
will not detain you minute. 1t is about
Mdlle. Rosalie'
I started at the name. The incident
had witnessed in Iyybush Lane required
to me.
eve must not do her an injustice" con-
tinued my wife. ''She fears you do not
regard her favorably, and has made con-
fession to me which has caused me to feel
very grateful towards her. It concerns
her and Mr.. MOrtlock. She told me this
evening that she was convinced she had
excited in you suspicious of her conduct
respecting Mr.. Mortlock."
'In what way?" [ asked.
Gin this, Richard. Some time ago she
noticed that he was attracted to Eunice,
and that his attentions were distasteful to
our dear child What did she do? She
made endeavors to draw him away from
her; and frequently, when Eunice and
Harry were together, and she knew they
did not wish to be disturbed, she took Mr..
Mortlock in hand-it is her own phrase,
Richard-and did her best to entertain
him. Her liveliness and vivacity, when
you met them-as she says you have done
on several occasions-were all simulated
in our dear Eunice's interests. l hardly
know whether to approve or disapprove,
but it was certainly most kind On her part
to undertake a task so repugnant to her.
1t has saved Eunice great deal of pain,
between Harry and Mr.. Mortlock. Poor
Mdlle. Rosalie! Her lot cannot be happy
one; she seems to have something weigh
ing on her mind which she dare not speak
Of Were we free from anxiety ourselves,
l should insist upon her confiding in me;
might in some way be a help to her. I
am sure we owe her much"
| made no comment on this revelation,
which took me by surprise, and l left my
house in a state of doubt respecting Mdlle.
ROsalie. What right had I, with the con-
flcting evidence which had been presented
to me, to judge and condemn her? There
were secrets in her life which she had not
confided to us. But were there not secrets
in most lives? Was there not secret in
mine? Had l not been living, as it were,
under false pretences! Had not practiced
a certain deceit towards Mr.. Clanronald
for which, if the worst happened, he
might justly condemn me? These refec-
tions inclined me to mercy and gentleness
in my opinion of Mdile. Rosalie's doings;
and it was in this mood that [ lit my cigar
and strolled through the grounds, at
sufficient distance from my wife's bed
room, the windows of which looked out
upon the garden, not to disturb her by my
footsteps. On the floor above was stu
ated the bedroom of Mdlle. Rosalie, the
windows of which also looked out upon
the garden.