Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1890-08-01
CHAPTER xLII.-MAN AND WIFE.

Towards evenin. the Dane was brought
to the cottage.
A feeling Of pride which forbade any
display of curiosity. strengthened perhaps
by an irresistible horror of Vimpany, kept
Iris in her ROOM Nothing but the sound
of footsteps outside told her when the
suffering man was taken TO his bedcham-
Der on the same floor. She was after
wards informed by Fanny that the doctor
turned down the lamp in the corridor. be-
fore the patient was helped to ascend the
stairs, as means Of preventing the mis-
tress cf the house from plainly seeing the
strangers face and recognising the living
likeness of her husband.
Lord Harry had remained in Paris to
attend a theatre party and missed his last
train home.
The hours advanced-the hustle Of do
nestle life sank into silence-everybody
bat Iris rested quietly in bed.
Through the wakeful night the sense OF
her situation oppressed her sinking spirits.
Mysteries that vaguely threatened danger
made their presence felt, and took their
dark way through her thoughts. The
cottage, in which the first happy days
of her marriage had been passed, might
ere long be the scene Of some evil deed,
provoking the lifelong separation of her
husband and herself Were these the eX-
aggerated fears Of q woman In a state OF
historical suspicion 1t was enough for
Iris to remember that Lord Harry and
Mr.. Vimpany had been alike incapable Of
to deceive her; the second had done his
best to Brighten her. Whyi II there was
really nothing to be afraid of-whyi The
hours Of the early morning came, and still
she listened In vain for the sound of my
lords footstep on the stairs: still she failed
to hear the cautions opening Of his dress
ing-room door. Leaving her chair, Iris
rested on the bed. As time advanced ex-
haustion mastered her: she slept.
Awakening at late hour, she rang for
Fanny Mere. The master had Just re-
turned. He had missed the latest night
train to Passy; and. rather than waste
money on hiring carriage at that hour.
house Of his friend's. He was then below
stairs, hoping to see Lady Harry at break
fast.
His wife Joined him.
Not even at the time Of the honeymoon
had the Irish lord been . moro irresistibly
agreeable man than he was on that mem
orable morning. His apologies for having
tie masterpieces Of grace and gaiety. The
next best thing to having been present.
At the theatrical performance of the pre-
viOus night, was to hear his satirical sum-
mary Of the story Of the PLAY, contrasting
delightfully."- with his critical approval Of
tne uue Art Oh tn0 6ctOES. Inc Time mao
been when Iris would have resented such
me.ciless trifling with serious interests as
this. In those earlier and better days she
would have reminded him af1ectionately
of her claim to be received into his conf
dence-she would have tried all that tact
and gentleness and patience could do to
win his confession OF the ascendency ex.
she would have used the utmost influence
of her love and her resolution to disunite
the fatal fellowship which was leading
him to his ruin.
But Iris Henley was Lady Harry now.
Have you had look 1t the poor fellow
whom the doctor 10 going to cures" he
she had noticed the Likeness between OK
bye and himself.
At that critical moment Fanny Mere
entered the room with . telegram in her
hand.
For you. my ladyi"
i.is ops1eSS a. ne W. sei H;m The me- MESSAGE
pressed in these words: "You may feel it
your duty to 60 to your father. He il
dangerously Ill"
Lord Harry saw . sudden change in
his wife's face that reused his guilty sus-
picious. els It anything about mel" he
asked.
Iris handed the telegram to him in sill
ence. Having looked Ut it, he desired to
hear what her wishes were"
''The telegram expresses my Wishes"
she said. Have You any objection to my
leaving your.
None whatever" be answered eagerly.
Go, by all means."
Carefully on the ok-out for any dis
coyeries which might enli2hten her, Fanny
noticed with ever-increasing interest the
eject which the harmless Dane seemed to
produce on my lord and the doctor.
Every morning. after breakfast, Lord
marry presented himself in the bedroom
Every morning his courteous Interest in
his guest expressed itself MECHANICALLY in
the same form Of words:
MI Oxbye, how do you ind yourself
Sometimes the answer would be: era.
etous lord. am suffering pain" Some
times it vas: Dear and admirable patron.
feel - II might get well again." On
either occasion, Lord Harry listened with
out looking At Nj. Oxbye-said he was
sorry TO hear . bad account or glad to
hear good account. without looking q
M. Oxoye-made remark on the wealth
g. and took his leave. without looking g
M. Oxbye. Nothing could be Doro piain
than that his polite inquiries (opco . day)
Iere unwnlingly made. and that e W.
always Q relief to him 70 ret cut of t.
room SO strongly VS. fanny's eurioO-
ny excited By this strange bshaviog, that
me ventursd oas day = sDeAk - ~ No..