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

her Gamer meInOQ OF meeting the diff
ficulty had its soothing effect upon me,
but, nevertheless, it was with feeling of
Joy that one morning, among my letters, I
recognized the handwriting of Mr.. Will
mot. His letter, which 1 read with eager
ness and anxiety, was addressed from Nor.
way, and in it received the welcome in
telligence that we might expect his return
to England within three months from the
date of his writing This information en-
abled me to give q satisfactory answer to
Mr.. Clanronald, who, in the course of the
day, made an indirect reference to the I'M
completed business of my daughters set
Elements. 1t was not the first time that
he had made such reference, and hither-
to had always experienced a feeling of
awkwardness in meeting it. Now / was
quite at my ease.
81 have received letter." I said, ''from
Mr.. Wilmot, who is at present in Norway,
and within three months all will be ar
ranged"
Mr. Wilmot?" said Mr.. Clanronald, in
tone of inquiry; and it was only then it
struck me that 1 had never mentioned my
uncle's name before to him-there being,
indeed, no special reason for it,
MY mothers brother" said, "who has
made the most handsome promises in re-
spect of Eunice's future"
Eyes, yesp' said Mr.. Clanronald, and
seemed to ponder upon the name, and
not with pleasure, but nothing more was
SAID.
My uncle's letter contained something
which I then regarded as of small import
ance, but which, in the near future, was
destined to bring about the peril of my
life. 1t was included in the following
words:
Every soon after my return to England
1t is my intention to pay you a visit at
Boscombe Lodge, and to trespass upon
your hospitality for a few days. Mean
while, you can confer an obligation upon
me. l have given Mr.. Leonard Mortlock,
young gentleman in whom take deep
interest, and who for three months has
been my companion in my travels, letter
of introduction to you, which he will pre-
sent in person. wish him to become &C
quafnted with you and your family; wish
you to make friend of him. Any social
courtesies and kindness which you can
show him l shall regard as extended to
myself. You will find him an agreeable
and charming person, and it will afford
me pleasure to learn that the association
has been mutually pleasant"
The request, which could not have been
more distinctly conveyed, was to me and
my wife law, and we decided that when
Mr.. Leonard Mortlock made his appear
ance we would ask him to make our house
his home for awhile. Ny wife set about
at once making the necessary preparations
and sitting-room and a bedroom were
put in order for the expected visitor. We
had ample accommodation at our disposal,
there being at least half-a-dozen spare
rooms in our house. Eunice assisted to
make the preparations, and we were all
In state Of agreeable expectation, de-
lighted at the opportunity of doing some.
thing in return for Mr.. Wilmot's great
generosity. Two days after the receipt Of
my uncle's letter Mr.. Mortlock sent in his
card, and was warmly welcomed.
He was man of good education, agree
able manners, and smooth speech; and we
judged his age to be thirty. From the
conversation it was clear that he had seen
a great deal of the world; and when I in
vited him to stay with US as long as he
wished to remain in the neighborhood, he
accepted the invitation with cordiality.
Nothing, of course, was said by us as to
the duration of his visit. 1 looked upon
him as much my uncle's guest as ours,
and he was welcome to remain as long as
it suited his convenience and pleasure.
He was soon at his ease with u.s. and we
with him. My wife pronounced him to
be gentleman, and l concurred Mdlle.
Rosalie said that he was delightful"
and was not backward in showing him at
tentions.
HE has travelled everywhere" said
Mdlle. Rosalie; she knows everything"
And she ventured the remark that it did
a man good to travel and see the world
"before he settled down."
This. / perceived, did not meet with
| Eunfce's approval, whose thoughts were
instantly directed towards her lover, Harry
Clanronald. She was quite satisfied that
he should 'settle down" before he trav-
elled and saw the world. She said as much
to me.
eyes, my DEAR" said; "you are right in
your way, and perhaps Mdlle. Rosalie is
right in hers"
| She did not see this, however
"My way is the right way, papa" she
said, with tender smile. ut is SO much
better to travel and see the world .togeth-
er."
"And you and Harry will" remarked.
| She nodded, with bright eyes. "But you
| must not remain away from us too long,
Eunice You are all we have to love-"
"You shall take little trips with u.s."
she said-''you and mamma"
EYES," I said, fondly, my arm round her
| waist, "after the honeymoon"
Which caused her to run from the room,
blushing.
Mr.. Mortlock had much to tell us Of Mr..
Wilmot, whom he evidently knew better
than we did He dilated upon my uncle's
| uniform kindness and consideration for
| others, upon his sound opinion of men
! and things, upon his ripe judgment, and,
incidentally, upon his strength of char
acter.
"What admire In him." said Mr. Mort
lock, ''is, that once having taken a certain
view, once having resolved upon a certain
course, he is not to be turned from it by
any arguments that can be advanced
against it."
In my mind considered this character
istic of which Mr.. Mortlock approved as q
sign of dogmatic nature; but did not
discuss it with my guest. 1t was not for
me to cast even a shadow of disapprovaI
upon anything my uncle and benefactor
did, and certainly not to argue such sub
ject with comparative stranger. During
the week small matter somewhat ruff1ed
me. was taking the letters out of the
post-bag, preparatory to sending them to
the postoffice by the hands Of Samuel
Fleetwood, when Mr.. Mortlock said
81 beg your pardon. 1 have dropped .
letter by mistake into the bag"
There were not more than six or seven
in all, and Mr.. Mortlock, selecting the one
to which he referred took 1t from the Lit