Dodge City times., 1890-05-02

tbOked ae her after examining the address
On the packet. In this case Mrs. Vimp-
Iny's allusion to "a confidential conversa.
tion" would have operated as q warning
to person of experience in the by-ways o.
deceit. Mountjoy's utmost exertiOn Ol
cunning was not capable of protecting him
on such conditions as these. The oppor
tunity of irving his proposed experiment
with Lord Harry's name seemed to have
presented itself already. He rashly seized
on it.
"You have interrupted nothing that wa.
confidential" he hastened to assure Mrs
Vimpany. 1--WE have been speaking of q
quaintance of ours. II what hear is true
he has already become public property: hi.
adventures have found their way into
some of the newspapers"
Here, il Mrs. Vimpany had answered
Hugh's expectations, she ought to have
asked who the young gentleman was. She
merely listened in polite silence.
With q woman's quickness of percep
tion. Iris saw that Mountjoy had not only
pounced on his opportunity prematurely
but had spoken with downright direct
ness of allusion which must at once have
put such a ready-witted person as Airs
Vimpany on her guard. In trying to pre-.
vent him from pursuing his unfortunate
experiment in social diplomacy, Iris inno-
She, too, seized her opportunity prema.
ture!y. That is to say, she was rash enough
to change the subject.
"You were talking just now, Hugh, OF
our friends adventures" she s1id: Il am
afraid you will find yourself involved in
an adventure of no very. agreeable kind.
IL you engage bed at the inn. / never
saw more wretched-looking place"
1t was one of Mrs. Vimpany's many
merits that she seldom neglected an op.
portunity of setting her friends at their
ease.
mo. no, dear Miss Henley" she hasten.
ed to say: the inn is really more clean
and comfortable place than you suppose.
A hard bed and a scarcity Of furniture are
the worst evils which your friend has to
fea.. Do you KNOW" she continued. ad-
dressing herself to Mountjoy, that 1 was
reminded of friend Of mine. when you
spoke just now of the young gentleman
whose adventures are in the newspapers.
Is it possible that you referred to the
brother Of the present Earl of Norland,
A handsome young lrishman-with whom
I first became acquainted many years
since. Am ] right in supposing that You
and Miss Henley know Lord Harry" she
asked.
What more than this could an uupreiu-
set herself right with a simplicity that de-
ned suspicion. Iris looked at Mountjoy.
He appeared to know when he was beat
en-. Having acknowledged that Lord Harry
was the young gentleman of whom he and
Miss Henley had been speaking, he rose to
take leave.
After what had passed. Iris felt the ne.
cessity of speaking privately to Hugh.
The necessary excuse presented itself in
the remote situation Of the inn. "You will
never find your way back" she said.
Through the labyrinth of crooked streets
in this old town. Wait for me n minute
and will be your guide"
Mrs. Vimpany protested. MY dear. let
the servant show the way"
Iris held gayly to her resolution, and
ran away to her room. Ms. Vimpany
yielded with her best grace. Miss Hen
ley's motive could hardly have been plain
er to her. If Miss Henley had confessed it
herself. "What q charming grip the
doctors amiable wife said to Mountioy.
when they were alone. IF were a man
Miss Iris is just the young lady that i
should fall in love with" She looked
significantly at Mountjoy. Nothing came
Of Il. She went on: Miss Henley must
have had many opportunities OF being
married; but the right man has, fear.
mot yet presented himself" Once more
her eloquent eyes consulted Mountjoy. and
once more nothing came Of it. Some wo-
men arc easily discouraged. Impenetra-
hle Mrs. Vimpany was one Of the other
women; she had not done with Mountjoy
yst-she invited him to dinner on the next
sOur early hour is three o'clock" she
aaid. modestly. PRAY join Us. hope to
have the pleasure OF Introducing my hus-
Nountjoy had his reasons for wishing to
- the bFlbep1 A. he accented the In