Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15
t1emen had taken leave Of their rationale
ty and were talking the language of for

tlemen had taken leave Of their rationale
ty and were talking the language of for
elgnerS.
An hour later, when the dinner-table
had been cleared, the maids domestic du-
ties took her to Lady Harry's room to
make tea. She noticed the sad, carewOrn
look on her mistress face, and spoke Of it
at once in her own downright way.
Il thought it was only an excuse" she
said, when you gave me that message to
really i'll, my lady?"
Il am little out of Spirits" Iris re-
piled.
Fanny made the tea. Il can understand
that" she said to herself as she moved
away to leave the room; pm out of spirits
myself"
Iris called her back. 81 heard you say
just now, Fanny, that you were out. of
spirits yourself. If you were speaking of
some troubles of your own | am sorry for
you, and | won't say any more. But If
you know what my anxieties are, and
share them
Mine is the biggest share of the two"
Fanny broke ont abruptly. ut goes against
the grain with me to distress YOU. my
iady; but we are beginning Dadly, and you
ought to know it. The doctor has beaten
me already
Beaten you already?" Iris repeated.
Tell me plainly what you mean"
Here it is, if you Please, as plainly as
words can say it. Mr.. Vimpany has
omething-something wicked, of course
to say to my master; and he won't let it
pass his lips here. in the cottage"
why not?'
Because he suspects me of listening at
the door, and looking through the key
hole. l don't know, my lady. that he
doesn't even suspect you. 'Ive learnt
something in the course of my life,' he
says to my master: and it's a rule with me
to be careful of what talk about indoors,
when there are women in the house
what are you going to DO Tomorrow! ne
SAYS. My lord told him there was to be a
meeting at the newspaper office. The
doctor says: I'll 60 to Paris with yon.
The newspaper office isn't far from the
Luxembourg Gardens. When you have
done your business you will find me wait
ing at the gate What have to tell you
shall hear out-of-doors in the Gardens
and in an open part of them, too, where
there are no lurking places among the
trees My master seemed to get angry at
being put off in this way. What is it you
have got to tell me?' he says. is it any
thing like the proposal you made when
you were on your last visit hereT The
doctor laughed. Tomorrow won't be
lord, patience There was no getting
him to say a word more. Now, what am
l to do? How am to get chance of
listening to him, out in an open garden.
without being seen? There is what I
mean when | say he has beaten me. It's
you, my lady, it's you who will suffer in
the end"
You don't knouv that, Fanny"
"No. nv lady-but Pm certain OF it.
And here am, as helpless as yourself!
My temper has been quiet since my mis-
fortune; it would be quiet still but for
this" The one animating motive, the
eXasperating influence in that sad and Sc
creU lite was StIIl the mistress welfare
still the safety of the generous woman
who had befrieaded and forgiven her. She
turned aside from the table to hide her
CHASTITY face.
pray try to control yourself" AS Iris
spoke she pointed kindly to chair.
"There is something that l want to say
when you are composed again. | won't
hurry you; won't look at YOU Sit down,
Fanny."
She appeared to shrink from being seat
ed in her mistress presence. please to
let me go to the window" she said; the
air will help me-"
To the window she went, and struggled
with the passionate self so steadily kept
under at other times, so obstinately con-
quered now.
Nv hat did you wish to say to me?" she
asked.
picked me- Iris said. j am at loss to
understand how You discovered what
seems 10 nave paSSeu DetWeeu your uldS-
ter and Mr.. Vilnpany. You don't surely
mean to tell me that they talked of their
| private affairs while you were waiting at
| table"
Il don't tell lies, my lady" Fanny de-
! clared impulsively. They talked of moth
| ing else all through the dinner"
'aBefore vou?'' Iris exclaimed.
| There was a pause. Fear and shame
| confessed themselves furtively on the
| maids colorless face. Silently, swiftly,
| she turned to the door. Had slip of the
| tongue hurried her into the betrayal of
| something which it was her interest to
| conceal,
Don't he alarmed,' Iris said, compass
| siouatety:"i have 10 wish TO iutrude on
| your secrets"
| With her nand on the door, Fanny Mere
| closed it again, aud came back.
| Il AIN not so ungrateful," she said, "as
| to have any secrets from you. Its hard
| to confess what may lower me in your
| good opinion, but II must be done. l
| have deco veu your ladysaip-and l am
ashamed of it. L have deceived the doc
| tor-and l glory in it, My master and
| Mr.. Vimpany thought they were safe in
| speaking French. while | was waiting on
| them. | know French as we'll as they do"
Iris had scarcely recovered from the as
F.! constituent caused by the statements OF
| the nurse when Lord Harry entered the
| room with a letter he had received. AS a
| matter of cou Sc the maid retired. In his
| financial extremity he had written to his
| brother and, as on former occasion, had
| received a cold reply.
Iris put her arms round her hus band g