Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-16
..Then he is really ONT of the honser, Sine

Then he is really out of the houser' she
said, with a feeling of relief.
He had been away from the farm for a
week or more. Had he received a warning
from some other quarter? And had he
wisely sought refuge in flight? The
amaZemenJ in the hOuSekeeper'S face.
when she heard these questions, pleaded
for a word OF explanation. Iris acknovl-
edged without reserve the motives which
had suggested her journey, and asked
eagerly II she had been mistaken in as
Scmlng that Arthur was in danger of as
~SaSSination.
Mrs. Lewson shook her head. Beyond
all CUB the young master was in danger.
But Miss Iris ought TO have known his
nature better than to suppose that he
would beat a retreat, if all the land
leaguers in Ireland threatened hin to-
gether. MOI Tt was his bold way to laugh
at danger. He had left his farm to visit
a friend in the next county: and 1t was
shrewdly guessed hat a young lady who
was STAYING in the house was the attrac-
ton which had kept him so long away
Anyhow, he means to come back to-
morrow" Mrs. LeWson said. 81 wish he
would think better of it, and make his
escape to England while he has the chance.
If the savages in these parts must shoot
somebody, I am here-an old woman that
can't last much longer. Let them shoot
me-"
Iris asked if Arthur's safety was assured
in the next county, and in the house of his
friend.
II can't say, Miss: | lave never been to
the house. He is in danger if he persists
in coming back to the farm. There are
chances of shooting him all along his road
home. Oh, yes: he knows it, poor dear,
as well as I do. But, there!-men like
him are such peryerse creatures. He
takes his rides just as usual. No. he won't
listen to an old woman like me: and, as
for friends to advise him, the only n of
them that has darkened our doors is a
scamp who had better have kept away.
You may have heard tell of him. The old
Earl, his wicked father, used to be called
by a bad name. And the wild yOung lord
is his fathers true son."
Not Lord Harry?" Iris exclaimed.
The outbreak of agitation in her tone
and manner was silently noticed by her
maid. The housekeeper did not attempt
to conceal the impression that had been
know such a vagabond as that?" she said
very seriously. perhaps you are thinking
of his brother-the eldest SOM respecta
BILE man. as I have been told"
Miss Henley passed over these questions
without notice. Urged by the interest in
her lover, which was now more than ever
an interest beyond her control, she said:
us Lord Harry in danger, on account OF
his friend?"
He has nothing to fear from the
wretches who infest our part of the coun-
try" Mrs. Lewson replied. REPORT says
he's one of themselves. The police-there's
what his young lOrdship has to be afraid
of, il alls true hat is said about him.
Anyhow. when he paid his visit to my
master, he came secretly like a thief in
the night. And | heard Mr.. Arthur, while
they We're together here in the parlor, loud
in blaming him for something that he had
done. No more, Miss, of Lord Harry [
have something particular to say to you.
Suppose ! promise to make you comfort
able-will you please wait here till to-mor-
row, and see Mr.. Arthur and speak to him?
If there's a~erson living who can persuade
him to takS better care of himself, [ do
believe it will be YOU"
Iris readily consented to wait for Arthur
Mountjoy's II IN. Left together, while
Mrs. LeWsOn Nhs attending to her dOmes-
tic duties, the mistress noticed an APP
pearance of preoccupation in the maids
face.
"Are you beginning to wish, Rhoda,"
she said, 'that | had not brought you to
this strange place, among these wild peo-
ple?"
This maid wasl t99uiet, amiable girl, evil
fep a IN 81 elisa nffffnad5t R Mis- She of smiled smiled
nobleman besidesSth one Mrs. Tewson
mentioned just now, who seems to nave
led a reckless life. It was printed in a
newspaper that l read before we left Lon
dOn.'
"Was his name m~entioned?" Iris asked.
mo, miss; I suppose they were afraid of
giving offence. He tried so many strange
ways of getting a living-it was almost
like reading a story-book."
The suppression of the name suggested
a suspicion from which Iris recoiled. Was
it possible that her maid could be ignor-
antlV abiding to Lord Harry.
"Do you remember this hero's adven-
tures?" she said.
81 can try, miss, if you wish to hear
ohnut him
ITO he continued