Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-08

In earnest conversation.
pounds. This seemed to be large loan:
| asked how he proposed to pay it back.
He kindly reminded me that he was a
newspaper proprietor, and, as such, pos
sessed of the means of inspiring confidence
in persons with money to spare They
could afford, it seems, to give him three
months in which to arrange for repay
ment. In that time, as he thought, the
profits of the new journal might come
pouring in. He knew best, of course.
We took the next train to Paris and
turned our bit of paper into notes and gold.
Never was there such delightful COM
paniOn as my husband, when he has got
money in his pocket. After SO much sor-
row and anxiety, for weeks past, that
memorable afternoon was like a glimpse
of Paradise.
On the next morning there was an end
to my shOrt-lived ENJOYMENT of no more
than the latter half of day.
Watching her opportunity, Fanny Mere
came to me while was alone, carrying a
thick letter in her hand. She held it be-
fore me with the address uppermost.
please to look at that" She said.
The letter was directed On Harry's
handwriting to Mr.: Vimpany. at pub
| fishing office in London. Fanny next
| turned the envelope the other way.
Look at this side," she resumed.
The envelope was specially protected by
seal, bearing device of my husbands
owR inventions: that is to say, the initials
of his name Harry NOrland) surmounted
by a star-his lucky star, as he paid me
| the compliment of calling it, on the day
| when he married me. l was thinking Of
| that day now. Fanny saw me looking,
| with a sad heart, at the impression on the
wax She completely misnterpreted the
| direction taken by my thoughts.
Tell me to do it. my lad :" she proceed
i ed, land I'll open the letter."
| looked at her. She showed no con-
| fusion.
Il can seal it up again." she coolly eX-
| planned, with bit Of fresh wax and my
thimble. Perhaps Mr.. Vimpanv won't be
sober enough to notice it."
DO you know, Fanny, that YOU are
making dishOnorable proposal to mei"
| said.
81 know there's nothing 7 can do to help
you that I won't do" she answered: "and
| you know why. | have made Il dishonor-
able proposal-have l? That comes quite
naturally to a lost woman like me. Shall
/ tell you what honor means? 1t means
sticking at nothing, in your service
| Please tell me to open the letter.
How did you come by the letter, Fan
| n.y."
my master gave it to nue. to put in the
| post"
| Then, post it''
The strange creature, SO full of contra
| ries-sO sensitive at one time, so impene-
! trable at anOther-pOinted again to the ad-
! dress.
when the master writes to that man."
the went on-'a long letter Gf you will
! notice. and sealed !etter-your ladyship
ought to see what is inside it. l haven't
| doubt myself that there's writing under
| this seal which BODIES trouble to YOU
| The spare bedroom is empty. Do YOU want
to have the doctor for your visitor again?
Don't tell me to post the letter till Eve
opened it first"
| Il do tell you to post the letter.
| Fanny submitted, SO far. But she had
q new form OF persuasion to try before
her reserves Of resistance We're exhausted
| eff the doctor comes back" she continued,
twill your ladyship give me leave to 90
out whenever | ask for It.'
This was surely presunling On my in
diligence.
Are you not expecting little too
much" | suggesteG-not unkindly.
eff you say that, my lady" she answer
ed, Il shall be obliged to ask you to suit
yourself with another maid"
There was tone of dictation in this
which | found beyond endurance. In my
| anger | said: Leave me whenever you
like
II shall leave you when I'm dead-not
BEFORE" was the reply that I received
| But if you won't let me have nv liberty
without going away from you, for time,
| | must gO-fOr yOur sake
| Cor my sake! Pray observe that.)
| She went on:
Try to see it, my lady, as 1 dol If we
have the doctor with us again | must be
able to watch him."
| @'Why?"
Because he is your enemy, as 1 be-
| lieve.n
Glow can he hurt me- Fannv?"
Ihr2 o. your athn husband NY lady, If ne
shall have spy at his heels. Dishonora-
| BILE! Oh, dishOnorable again. Never mind.
| don't pretend to know what that villain
means to do, if he and my lord get togeth-
er again. But this can tell you, if it's in
| womans wit to circumyent him, here |
am W tn my mind made up. With my
mind made up!" she repeated fiercely-
| and recovered on sudden her customary
character as a quiet well-tralned servant,
devoted TO her duties. III take my mas
| ters letter to the post now" she said. is
there anything your ladyship wants in
| the town."
What do YOU think of Fanny Mere?
| Ought TO have treated this last offer OF
her services as I treated her proposal to
| open the letter. l was not able to do it.
The truth is, was so touched by her
| devotion to me, that could not prevail
! on myself to mortify her by refusal. l
| believe there may be good reason for the
| diStruSt of the doctor which posse -seS her
| so strongly: and | feel the Importance of
| having this faithful and determined wo-
| uttu lOI an ally. LIEU lIIS HOpG ludG MI.
| Vimpauy's FREUD Cf it is to take place.
| may be delayed until you can safely write,
| with your own hand, such letter of wise
! advice as ! sadly need.
In the meantime, give my love to Hugh,
| and say to this dear friend all that might
| have said for myself, if L had been near
| him. But take care that his recovery is
| not retarded by anxiety for me. Pray
| keep HIM in ignorance of the doubts and
/ fears with which am now looking at the
/ future. If ! was not so fond of my hus-
| band should be easier in my mind. This
| sounds contradictory but | believe you
| will understand it. For WHILE my dear,
| good-by.
CHAPTER XXIvI.-THE DOCTOR MEANS MIS-
CHIEF.
| On the day after Lord Harry's descrip-
| ton of the state of his mind reached Lon
! don gentleman presented himself at the
| publishing office of Messrs. Boldside
| Brothers and asked for the senior part
| ner. Mr.. Peter Boldside. When he sent
| in his card it bore the name of ''Mr. Vimp-
| any"
ITO what fortunate circumstance am l
| indebted, sir, for the honor of your visit?"
| the senior partner inquired. His ingrati
ating manners, his genial smile, his
| rOundly resonant voice were personal adj
vantages Of which he made merciless