Dodge City times., 1890-06-27

"Consider my situation" she went on.
sWhen / remembered how You tried (0h,
couscientiously triedD to prevent my mar
riaQe-how you predicted the miserable
results that would follow. If Harry's life
and my life became one-could l venture
to hope that you would come here, and
Judge for yourselfi Dear and good friend,
have nothing to fear from the result.
your presence was never more welcome to
me than it is now"
Whether it was attributable to preju-
dice on Mountjoy's part, or to keen or just
observation, he detected something artifl-
cial in the ring of her enthusiasm; there
was rot the steady light OF truth In her
ewes, which he remembered In the past
and better days of their companionship.
He was q little-just a little-irritated.
TIE temptation to remind her that his dis
trust of Lord Harry had once been her dis
trust, too. proved to be more than his
fraiIty could resist.
"Your memory is generally exact" he
said: but it hardly serves you now -
well as usual" 4.
"What have forgotten"
you have forgotten the time. my dear,
when your opinion was almost as strongly
against a marriage with Lord Harry as
mine"
Her answer was ready on the instant:
"Ah. didn't know him then as well as
know him nowr'
Some men. in Mountjoy's position, might
have been provoked into limiting that there
were sides to her husbands character
which she had probably not discovered
vet But Hugh's gentle temper-ruf1ed
for a moment only-had recovered its
serenity. Her friend was her true friend
still; he said no more on the subject OF her
marriage.
"Old habits are not easily set aside" he
reminded her. II have been 30 long &C
customed to advise you and help you, that
need for E1y services still. Isthere no way
In which might relieve you OF the hate
full presence OF Mr. Vimpany."
MY dear Hugh, wish you had not
mentioned Mr.. Vimpany."
Mountjoy concluded that the subject
was disagreeable to her. After the opin-
letter to me-" he said, "f ought not to
have spoken of the doctor. Pray forgive
me-"
Iris looked distressed.
oh, you are quite mistaken! The poor
doctor has been sadly misjudged: and ~
she shook her head, and sighed penitently
other people who have ignorantly wronged
him. Pray consult my husband. Hear
what he can tell you-and you will pity
Mr.. Vimpany. The newspaper makes
such large demands on our means that we
can do little to help him. With your re-
commentator he might find some en-
plOyment."
HE has already asked me to assist him,
Iris: and have refused. l can't agree
with your change of opinion about Mr..
Vimpany"
why not: Isl. because he has separ-
ated from his wife."
That is one reason among many 9TH
ers," MOuntjoy replied.
Indeed. indeed you are wrong! Lord
years, and he says-I am truly sorry to
hear it-that the separation is her fault"
Hugh changed the subject again. The
purpose which had mainly induced him
to leave England had not been mentioned
yet.
Abiding to the newspaper, and to the
heavy pecuniary demands made by the
preliminary expenses Of the new journal,
he reminded Iris that their long and init
mate friendship permitted him to feel
some interest in her affairs. 81 won't
venture to express an opinion" he added;
'let me only ask il Lord Harry's invest
ments in this speculation have compelled
him to make some use of your little for
tune?"
MY husband refused to touch my for
tune" Iris answered. But" She paused
there. do you know how honOrably,
how nobly, he has behaved" she abruptly
resumed. He has insured his life; he
has burdened himself with the payment
OF large sum Of money every year. And
all for me, ii am SO unfortunate (which
God forbidD as to survive him. When q
large share in the newspaper was for sale
do you think could be ungrateful enough
to let him lose the chance of making our
fortune, when the profits begin to come
in. I insisted on advancing the money
know how sweet he is. Isaid: Don't dis
tress me- and the dearest of men let me
have my own way"
Mountjoy listened in silence. To have
what he felt would have been
only to mortify and offend Iris. Old habit
voting himself to her interests the upper
most idea in his mind. He asked if the
money had all been spent Hearing that
some of it was still left he resolved OF
making the attempt to secure the remains
of her fortune to herself.
''Tell me-" he said, shave you ever
heard Of such thing as buying an an
nuity?"
She knew nothing about it He careful
ly explained the method by which mod
crate sum of money might be made to
purchase a sufficient income for life. She
Onered no Objection, when he proposed to I
write to his lawyer in London for tho ne
particulars. But when he asked |
her to tell him what the sum was Of which |
she might be still able to dispose, Iris hes |
itated, and made NO reply.
This time, Hugh arrived at the right |
conclusion.
1t was only too plain to him that what |
remained Of her money represented an !
amount so trifling that she was ashamed |
10 mention It. OF the need for helping her |
here could be no doubt now; and, as for |
he means. no difficulties presented them I
selves to MountjOy-alwayse exec pting the |
,ne obstacle likely to be offered by the |
woman herself. Experience warned him
% approach her delicately, by the indirect
way.
You know me well enough" he said,
to feel sure that / am incapable Of saying |
which can sembarrass You, or
;ause n moments misunderstanding b.
ween two old friends. Won't you look
It me, Iris, when I am speaking to youf"
She still looked away from him. 81 am
afraid of what you are going to say to me-"
she answered, coldly.
9Th an lot me- cav IL Af 0Nce In 0pA Of