Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-27

CHAPTER XIX.-MR. HENLEY AT HOME
For month Mountjoy remained in his
cottage on the shores of the Solway Firth,
experimenting the repairs.
His correspondence with Iris was regu-
larly continued; and, for the first time in
his experience of her. was a cause of dis
appointment to him. His immediate sup
erintendence of the worknen at the cot
tage was no longer necessary. Leaving
there representative whom he could
trust, he resolved to answer his last letter,
received from Iris, in person.
The next day he was in London.
Calling at the house, he was informed
that Miss Henley was not at home: and
that it was impossible to say with certain
addressing his inquiries to the servant,
Mr.. Henley opened the library door is
that you. Mountjoy?" he asked. Come
in: want to speak to you"
Short and thick-set, with a thin-lipped
mouth, coarsely ford complexion and
furtive greenish eyes, hard in his manner,
and harsh in his voice, Mr.. Henley was
one of the few heartless men who are In
nocent of deception on the surface he was
externally person who inspired, at first
sight, feelings of doubt and dislike. His
manner failed to show even pretense of
being glad to see Hugh. What he had to
say, he said walking up and down the
room, and scratching his bristly iron gray
hair from time to time. These signs of
restlessness indicated to those who knew
him we'll that he had a selfish use to
make of fellow creature, aud failed 10
see Immediately how to reach the end in
view.
81 say, Mountjoy," he began, "have you
any idea what my daughter is about?"
81 don't even understand what you
mean," Hugh replied. For the last mouth
l have been in Scotland"
you and she write to each other, don't
you."
eyes"
Hasn't she told you"
Excuse me for I'M erruDting you, Mr..
Henley. she has told me nothing"
Mr.. Henley stared absently at the SUI
perbly bound books on his library shelves
(never degraded by the familiar act of
reading), and scratched his head more
restlesSly than ever
Look here, young man. When you
were staying with me in the country, I
rather hoped it might end in a marriage
engagement. You and Iris disappointed
me-nOt for the first time. But women
do change their minds. Suppose she had
changed her mind, after having twice re-
fused you? Suppose she had given you
an opportunity"
Hugh interrupted him again. "It's
needless to suppose anything of the sort,
sir; she would not have given me an OPP
portunity."
Don't fence with me, Mountjoy. rll
put it in a milder way, if you prefer being
humbugged. Do you feel any interest in
that perverse girl of mine?"
Hugh answered readily and warmly:
"The truest interest"
Even Mr.. Henley was human; his ugly
face looked uglier still 1t assumed the
self-satistied expression of a man who had
carried his point.
Nov l can go on, my friend, with what
had to say to you. | have been abroad
on business, and only came back the 9TH
er day. The moment saw Iris 1 noticed
something wrong about her. If / had
been a stranger should have said: That
young woman is not easy in her mind.
Perfectly useless to speak to her about it.
Quite happy and quite Well--there, Was
her own account of herself. l tried her
maid next, a white-livered, sulky creature,
one of the steadiest liars have ever met
with. L know of nothing amiSS with my
mistress, sir There was the maids way
of keeping the secret, whatever it may be!
l don't know whether you may have no.
ticed it in the course of your acquaintance
with mel hate to be beaten"
mo. Mr.. Henley, have not noticed it."
Then you are Informed of it now. Have
you seen my housekeeper?"
"Once or twice, sir"
"Come! you're improving; we shall make
something of you in course of time. Well,
the hOusekeeper was the next person I
spoke to about my daughter Had she
was away from home? There's dash of
malice in my housekeeper's composition;
| don't object to dash of malice? When
the old woman is pleased she shows her
yellow fangs. She had something to tell
me: The servants have been talking, sir,
about Miss Iris Out with it, ma'am!
what do they say?' They notice, sir, that