Dodge City times., 1890-05-16

CHAPTER yrII.-rER FATHERS MESSAGE.
Lacking ont of the drawing z room WIN
dow, for the tenth time at least, MonntJoy
ut last saw Iris in the street, returning 10
the house - .
She brought the maid with her into
the DRAWN groom. in the caves, OF gooa
spirits and presented Rhoda TO NountJoy;
.sWhat a blessing good long walk Is II
xve only knew it,' she exclaimed Look
at nv little maids c0lorl Who would
suppose that she came mere with heaVy
ewes and pale cheekss Except That sne
loses her way in the town whenever she
goes out alone, we have every reason 10
Congratulate ourselves on our residence at
HoneybuZZard The doctor is Rhoda's
GOOD genius and the doctors wife IS her
fairy god-mother.
Mountioy's courtesy having offered the
customary congratulations. the maid was
permitted to retire and Iris was free to
express her astonishment at the friendly
relations established (by means OF the
dinper-table) between the two most dis
similar men ON the face Of creation.
There is suD.ething overwhelming,
she declared 'in the bare idea OF your
having asked him to dine with you-on
such short acquaintance, and being such
a mani | should like TO have peeped IN
and seen you entertaining your guest with
the Inquiries of the hotel larder. Serious
Iy. Hugh, your social sympathieS have
taken a range lDT WHICH 4 WIS PAU-
pared After the example that you have
set me. feel ashamed of having doubted
whether Mr.. Nimpany was worthy OF his
charming wife. Don't suppose that am
ungrateful to the Doctor! He has found
his way to my regard. after what he mas
done for Rhoda. / only fail to understand
how he has possessed himself OF your
sympathies."
So she ran on, enjoying the exercise OF
her own sense of humor in innocent lgnor-
ance of the serious interests which she
was deriding.
Mountjoy tried to stop her, and tried in
vain.
mo, no." she persisted, as mischievous-
ly as ever: 1.-THE subject is too interesting
TO be dismissed. l am dying to know how
YOU and your guest got through the din
per Did he take more wine than was
good for him. And, when he forgot his
good manners, did he set IL all right again
by saying, No offense,' and passing the
bottle"
Hugh could endure it no longer. pray
control your high spirits for a moment"
he said. Il have news for you from
home"
Those words put an end to her outbreak
Of Raiety in an instant
"News from my fathers she asked
"Yes."
SIS he coming here"
"No: have heard from him"
"a letter."
"a telegram" ;" Mountjoy explained, ''in
answer to letter from me- | did my best
to press your claims on him, and am glad
to say have not failed"
''Hugh, dear Hugh. have you succeeded
in reconciling u.s."
Mountjoy produced the telegram. Il
asked Mr.. Henley" he said, ito let me
know at once whether he would receive
you, and to answer plainly Yes or No.
The message might have been more kind
ly expressed-but, at any rate, 1t Is fav-
orable reply"
Iris read the telegram.
rs there another father in the world.
she said sadly. "who would tell his daugh-
ter when she asks to come home, that he
will receive her on trial?'
'Surely, you are not offended with him,
Iriss"
She shook her head. 81 am like you,"
she said. 81 know him too well to be Of
Tended. He shall find me dutiful, he shall
find me patient. / am afraid | must not
expect you to wait for me in Honeybuz-
card. VIII you tell my father that hope
to return to him in a weeks timer"
Pardon me, Iris, see no reason why
YOU should waste a week ia this town.
On the contrary, the more eager you sheW
yourself TO return to your father, the more
likely YOU are to recover your place in his
estimation. 1 had planned to take you
home by the next train"
It possible that you mean what you say?"
she asked.
MY dear, do most assuredly mean
what say. Why should you hesitate?
What possible reason can there be for
staying here any longer?'
''Oh. Hugh. how you disappoint mel
What has become of your kind feeling,
your sense of justice, your consideration
for others? Poor Mrs. Vimpanyr'
"What has Mrs. Nimpany to do with it"
Iris was indignant.
"What has Mrs. Nimpany to do with
ite" she repeated. after all that | owe
to that good creatures kindness; after
have promised to accompany her-she has
so few happy days. poor soul!-On excur-
sions TO places of interest in the neighbor-
hood. do you expect me TO leave her-no!
it's worse than that-do you expect me to
throw her aside like an old dress that l
have worn outs And this after have SO
unjustly. SO ungratefully suspected her
in my own thoughts! Shameful! shame
fulv'
With some difficulty. Mountjoy con-
trolled himself After what she had just
said, his lips Were sealed on the subject of
Mrs. Vimpany' true character, He could
only persist in appealing 10 her duty to
her father
'You are allowing your quick temper to
carry you to strange eXtremities," he an
swered. "If think it of more Importance
10 udStcu u Will YOUR ldlutE
than to encourage You to make excursions
with lady whom You have only known
for week or two, what have | done to
deserve such an outbreak of anger? Hush!
Not word alore now. Here is the lady
herself"
AS he spoke, Mrs vimpany Joined them:
returning from her interview with her
husband at the inn. She looked first at
Iris. and at once perceived signs OF dis
tufbance in the young lady's face.
Concealing her anxiety under that won
derful stage smile. which affords a refuge
to 80 many secrets, Mrs. Ninipany said a
few words excusing her absence. Miss
Henley answered, without the slightest
, change in her friendly manner to the doc
tors wife. The signs of disturbance were
evidently attributable to some entirely un-
important cause. from Mrs. Vimpany's
point of view Mr. Mountjoy's discoveries
had not been communicated yet.
In Hugh's state of mind there was some
Irritating influence in the presence Of the
mistress of the house which applied the
spur to his wits. He mischievOusly pro-
posed submitting to her the question in
dispute between Iris and himself.
1T is very simple matter" he said to
Mrs. Nimpany. Miss Henley's father is
anxious tnat she should return to him,
after an estrangement between them which
is happily at an end. Do you think she
ought to allow any accidental arrange
oncee If she requests your indulgence.
under the circumstances. has she any rea-
son to anticipate refusal?"
Mrs. Nimpany's expressive eyes looked
mp, with sanity resignation, at the dirty
ceiling-aud asked in dumb show what
she had done to deserve the injury implied
by doubt!
"Mr. Mountjoy," she said sternly, "you
insult me by asking the question. Dear
Miss Henley" she continued, turning to
Iris, you will do me justice, l am sure.
Am capable of allowing my own feelings
to stand in the way, when your filial duty
fs concerned. Leave me, nv sweet friend.
Go! l entreat you, go homer
She retired up the stage-no. no; abe
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