Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-20

VIA ! LIS NJ.
As Fancourt left Mrs DaltOn's gate,
he found himself suddenly face to face
with person who was just about to
ring for admittance.
This was q small Wiry man with a
clean shavCn face, shreWd gray eyes,
bushy eyebrows. and thin lips slightly
upturned at the corners. giving an eX-
preston to the face rs of a perpetual
smile. He was dressed in plain suit
or black, neither very new nor very
faShIOnably cut, and carried in his hand
blue bag. FancoUt would have passed
him without notice, but for the fact
of running against him at Mrs DaltOn's
gate; he took him for lawyers clerk.
and wondered what his business might
be. lie was not aware that with
sharp glance the man had photographed
his exterior on his brain for any future
occasion that might arise.
FanCourt had little attention to spare
for SO insignificant person. His
thoughts reverted to the house he had
just left, and to what he had heard and
seen there. lie did not doubt for
moment that it was Julie Lemont who
had personatCd the widow lady and got
possession of the ring. lie ground his
teeth sayagclv as his determination be-
came more fixed to get rid of this wOm-
an who was SO dangerously mixed up
with his affairs. To get rid of her-he
did not vet tell himself ny what means.
lie had been struck with Lena Dal-
tons beauty when he had met her by
chance in Alphington Park. Now that
he had seen her again, she had taken
complete hold of his sensuOus magma
ton; and he then and there made a firm
resolve To win Lena Dalton and to mar
V-kgl tAs ,s.I -.
whisper to him that with her the heir
to an earldom need not despair: nor did
he suppose the consent of the mother
would be difficult To obtain. The young
er sister, ne perceived, would he his
enemy-hut what of that? What could
she do against 4 determined will such
as hiS2 He ClCnChCd his hand in his
delicate lcmon-colored kid glove, as he
swore To himself to clear all obstacles
from his path. and to crush all that
stood III the way of the attainment of
his desires.
Sarah had not closed the gate when
the newcomer appeared. Sarah felt
that life at Ivy Cottage passed in more
secluded manner than quite suited her
taste; SO She generally took the oppor-
tunity, when she conducted the visitor
to the gate, of Iudulgiug at a peep at
the outer world Sometimes the milk
man might be passing. or Il neighbours
servant visible, and thus few min
uteS chat b, obtained with some one
moro lively than old Martha. So. stand
ing with the gate open in her hand, she
also found herself face To face with the
little man with The blue bag.
lis Your mistress Mt home, my dear?"
said he. slipping in through the gate rs
he spoke.
What may please to be your bust
neSS?' Sarah inquired, not over well
pleased with the familiarity Of the adj
dress.
Just you tell Mrs. Dalton that Mr..
Riggs wishes To see her. She won't
know my name, but Won may tell her |
come on Lord Alphingtous business"
said the man.
At this name Sarah dropped a cour-
teSy, and begging Mr.. Riggs to proceed
toward the house, She FASTENED forward
10 deliver the message
"0n Lord Alphmgton'S husiuessr'
Mrs. Dalton repeated, in surprise. "Oh,
l do believe it's about that horrid ring
againl | suppose he must come in"
She appealed 20 Bertha.
Yes, mamma-why not?n said Ber-
tina.
Ask him in. Sarah. Oh, dear, dear,
we shall never hear the last of il, do
believed" Mrs Dalton lamented. II do
wish, Bertha, you would cut that heavy
fringe off your shawl; it viii be carry
ing off somebody's purse, or watch. or
no one knows what some day. Pray
come in"
This was in answer to Mr. Riggs's
Servant, ladies' as he stood IN the
doorway, his hat in his hand.
Now that his hat was removed, it was
seen that he had shiny bald head, with
a fringe of close-cut, ight-colored hair.
He carried a blue cotton pocket hand
kerchief in the crown of his hat. This
he took out, polishing his head as he
stood.
You come from Lord Alphingtonp
Pray sit down." said Mrs. Dalton.
Mr.. Riggs took a seat near the door,
placing his hat under the chair and TAX
ing a rapid survey of the room, in the
course of WHICH every article in it was