Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-20

Then he looked at Eunice, who was
blushing and i'll at ease, and at Harry
again, who was nervous and awkward in
the presence of stranger who seemed to
be criticising i'm, and not favorably: and
then he turned his sharp eyes upon Mr..
Mortlock, who met them smilingly, where
at Mr. Wilmot smiled, and nodded and
nodded with great vivacity. These two
appeared 80 understand each other with
out speaking. When his fit of nodding
was over, my uncle, undoubtedly with
malice prepense, claimed Harry's sole at
tention, leaving Mr.. Mortlock the task of
entertaining Eunice. I am sorry to say
that this made Harry sullen, and his be-
havior was certainly not calculated to i'm
press Mr.. Wilmot favorably However,
this did not appear to displease my uncle,
who took Harry as his partner in a rubber
of whist, and even when Harry revoked it
did not ruff1e him. After the rubber nv
uncle proposed a game OF chess, and check
mated poor Harry in twelve moves Then
my uncle called upon Mr.. Mortlock to
furnish entertainment, and this gentle
man, with great willingness, applied him
self to the task, and surprised US with
display of accomplishments of which he
had hitherto made no parade. He related
story after story; he gave limitations of
singular people he had met in his travels;
he sang in French, German, and Italian,
and accompanied himself with the skill of
master. My wife, as | observed disap-
proved of some of these songs, but Mr.
WilmOt shook with laughter Mdlle.
Rosalie was called upon to contribute to
the entertainment, and she sang admira-
bly,, and with great spirit. At length, to
our relief, the evening came to an end.
Harry had said goodnight and had gone
home unhappy, Eunice was miserable,
and my wife and I were filed with dis
quieting reflections. Only Mr.. Wilmot
and Mr.. Mortlock seemed to have enjoyed
! themselves and to have passed a pleasant
time. My uncle babe Eunice and her
mother goodnight, and said that he fore
saw that his visit would be eminently
agreeable.
81 breakfast late" he said. Nephew
Richard, you Will see me to my room"
Fleetwood was there when we reached
it, arranging Mr.. Wilmot's things for the
night. Upon our entrance he retired,
through a communicating door, into his
own adjoining bedroom.
Tomorrow, nephew Richard" said Mr..
Wilmot, 1--WE will speak of matters of
| business, upon which have no doubt we
shall agree. There is a small task I wish
you to assist me in tonight. Lift my
! despatch-box on the table. Thank you.
Here is the key. Unlock it. Always on
| the first night of my arrival in a new
| place l see that my money and valuables
are safe You will see cash-bOX there.
Yes, that is it. This key, with piece OF
blue ribbon round it, will open it Now,
let US count"
| Together we counted the money In the
| cash-box There were exactly five thous-
and pounds-fige hundred soyereigns, and
! four thousand five hundred in Bank of
| England notes. The cash-b0X contained
also several articles of jewelry of consid-
| cradle value, one Of which, a single-stoned
! diamond ring, the jewel in it being of ex-
| traordinary brilliancy, although not large
he put on his finger. Before the money
and jewels were replaced in the box Mr..
Wilmot called Fleetwood into the room,
| and he saw them spread out on the table,
When they were all safely packed away,
| my uncle said:
"Do not let me be disturbed in the morn
| ing, nephew Richard. I never allow my
self to be called or disturbed. Nature in
| forms me when have had sufficient rest.
| Tell your good lady that [ shall not par
ticipate in the family breakfast. Some
where about one o'clock in the day we
will have our chat. Goodnight"
On my way to my bedroom | encoun-
tered Mdlle. Rosalie, and babe her good
night.
Goodnight, sir,' she said what
charming gentleman Mr.. Wilmot is, and
what delightful evening we have passed"
| Then she whispered, II ought to tell you,
sir, that have not had the courage yet to
tell Mrs. Pardon my secret. I am writing
| out my life, which I shall give her to read
| and then she will know all. -
nodded, and left her. had matters Of
| greater Importance to think of than Mdlle
| Rosalie's small family secrets.