Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-09

Being Miss Hen1ey's godfather, Sir Giles
was a privileged person. He laid his hairy
hands on her shoulders and kissed her on
either cheek. After that PREDATORY act of
endearment he made his inquiries. What
extraordinary combination of events had
ed Iris to leave London and had brought
her Is visit him in his clearinghouse at
Ardoon?
81 wanted to get away from home" she
answered: "and having nobody to go to
but my godfather, | thought l should like
to see you"
"Alone?" cried Sir Giles.
"No-with my maid to keep me COM
panv."
"Only your maid, Iris? Surely you have
acquaintances among young ladies like
yOurself?"
"Acuualntances-yes. No friends"
Does y our father approve of what you
have done?"
"Will you grant me a favor, gcdpapa."
"Yes-if l can"
Don't insist on my answering yourlast
question"
The faint color that had risen in her
face when she entered the room left it.
At the same time the expression of her
mouth altered. The lips closed firmly, re-
yealing that strongest OF all resolutions
which is founded or a keen sense of wrong.
She looked older han her age: what she
might be ten years hence she was now.
Sir Giles understood her. He got up and
took a turn in the room. An old habit, or
which he had cured himself with infinite
difficulty when he was made a knight,
showed itself again. He put his hands in
his pockets.
'.You and your father have had anoth-
er quarrel" he said, stopping opposite
Iris.
"T don't deny it." she replied.
"Who is to blame?"
She smiled bitterly. 1.-THE woman is al
ways to blame"
did your father tell you that"
"My father reminded me that 1 was
twenty-oue years old last birthday-and
told me that l could do as I liked. L I'M
derstood him, and [ left the house."
you will go back again, l ~suppose?"
81 don't know"
Sir Giles began pacing the room once
more. His rugged face, telling its story OF
disaster and struggle in early life, showed
signs of disappointment and distress.
"Hugh promised to write to me-" he
said, land he has not written. l know
what that means; | know you have
o to offend our father. My nephew
has asked you to marry him for the second
time. And for the second time you have
refused"
Her face softened; its better and young
er aspect revived. YES" she said, sadly,
and submissiveIy; az have refused him
again."
Sir Giles lost his temper. "What the
devil is your objection to Hugh?" he burst
out. .
My father said the same thing to me-"
she replied, almost in the same words.
l made him angry when [ tried to give
my reason. don't want to make you an
grv, too"
He took no notice of this. ''Isn't Hugh
a good fellow?" he went on. isn't he
affectionate and kindhearted and honora-
ble-aye, and a handsome man, too. if you
come to that?"
Hugh is all that you say. like him: I
admire him; | owe to his kindness some
of the happiest days of my sad life, and
/ I'M ~grateful-oh, with all my heart, I
am grateful to Hughi"
IF that's true, Iris
every word of it is true"
say, il that's true-there's no excuse
for youl l hate perversity in a young wo-
man. Why don't you marry him?"
TRY to feel for me-" she said, gently; 81
can't love him."
Her zone said more to the banker than
her words had expressed. The secret sor-
row of her life, which was known to her
father, was also known to Sir Giles.
Nov we nave come to it at last!" he
said. You can't love my nephew Hugh.