Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-12-26
CHAPTER NH.

In tho house of Rodney there is
mourning and woe. Horror has fallen
upon it. and something that touches or
disgrace. Lady Rodney, leaning back
in her chair with her scented handker-
chief pressed close to her eyes, sobs
aloud and refuses to be cOmforted.
OH Nicholas, t can't be trueI it
really cant" she says, abiding to the
news contained in a letter Sir Nicholas
Is reading with puzzled brow.
He is a tall young man, about thirty
two, yet looking younger. with some
what sallOW complexion, large, dreamy
brown eyes, and very fine sleek black
hair.
just now his forehead is drawn up
into deep frown, as he reads the fatal
letter that has reduced his mother To
Nluhe. Another young man his broth
er, Captain Rodney. who is two or three
years Younger than hc. IS looking over
his shoulder, while slight. brown
haired, very MISUNDERSTANDING girl is
endeavoring, in a soft modulated voice.
to convey comfort to Lady Rodney.
Violet is growing rs nearly frightened
as good breeding Will permit at the pro-
tracted sobbGg, when Sir Nicholas
speaks.
1t is inconceivahle.' he saws to no
body in particular. "What on earth
does he mean?" He turns the letter
round and round between his fingers as
though II were aNOmhShell. though, in
deed, he need not. at this Stage of the
proceedings. have been at all afraid of
it, as il has gone oft long ago and re-
duCed Lady Rodney to atoms. Il
shouldn't have thought Godfrey was
th!t sort OF fellow
But what is it," asks Miss Mansergh
from behiud Lady ROdney'S chair, Just
little impatiently.
why, Geotfrey'S been and gone and
got married, says Jack Rodney, pEll-
ing his long fair mOuStaChe and speak
ing rather awkwardly. 1t has been Sey-
eral times limited to him. since his re-
turn from India, that. Violet ManSergh
being reserved for his brother Geotfrey.
any of his attentions III that quarter
will be eyed by the family with diSfavor.
And now to tell her of her quonlam
lovers detection is not pleasant. New
ertheleSs he watches her calmly as he
speaks.
lis that all?" says Violet. in a tone of
surprise. certainly, but rs certainly in
one OF relief,
NO, it is mo- all. F." breaks in Sir Mich
olaS. 1t appears from this, " touching
the homhShall. ''that no hos r,e'-,-;~.' :
---a--a young woman of very inferior
birth
OH that is really shocking" SAYS
Violet, with a curl of her very short up
per lip.
Il do hope she isn't the under-house-
maid, SAYS Jack. moodily.
1T is worse, says Lady Rodney. in a
Stltled tone, coming ont for a brief in
slant from behind the deluged handker-
chief. He has married a common
farmers nieCe,'
We'll, you know that's better than
farmers common niece" saws Jack,
CouSOlingly
What does he say about itg'' asks
Violet.
Sir Nicholas again applies himself to
the dociphering of the deteSted letter.
He would have written before. but
saw no good in making a fuss before
hand, he reads slowly.
Well, there's good deal of sense in
that. = says Jack.
"'Quite the lovelieSt girl in the world
with heavy stroke under the quite
That's always SO. you know: nothing
new or striking about that Sir Mich
olaS all through is speaking in a tone
uniformly moody and disguised.
1T is point in her favor. neverthe-
less" SAYS Jack, who is again looking
over ms shoulder at the letter.
"'She is charming at all points,"
goes on Sir Nicholas, deliberately screw
ing his glass into his eve. with mind
as sweet as her face Oh, it is abSurdi'
says Sir Nicholas, impatiently. HE is
evidently In the last stage Of imbecility.