Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-01
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hour.
She roset say farewell. With rest
less hand she half lowered her veil and
raised it again.
You won't mind my crying" she said.
family, trying to smile through her tears.
"This is the saddeSt parting I have ever
known. Dear, dear Hugh-gOod-
Great is the law of Duty; but the elder
law of Love claims its hig her right. New
err, in all the years Of their friendship, had
they forgotten themselves as thev forgot
themselves now? For the first time her
lips met his lips, in their farewell kiss.
In a moment more they remembered the
restraints which honor imposed on them,
they were only friends again. Silently,
she lowered her veil. Silently, he took her
arm and led her down to the carriage. 1t
was moving away from them at a slow
pace, towards the other end of the street.
Instead of waiting for its return, they fol-
lowed and overlook it. I'VE shall meet
again." he whispered. She answered sad
ly: Don't forget me-"
Mountjoy turned back. AS he approach
ed the hotel he noticed q tall man cross
ing from the opposite side of the street.
Not two minutes after Iris was on her way
home, her jealous husband and her old
friend met at the hotel door.
Lord Harry spoke first. II have been
dining out" he said. land / came here to
have a word with you, Mr. Mountjoy, on
my road home"
Hugh answered with formal politeness:
Let me show your lordship the way to
my rOOmS?"
"Oh. it's needless to trouble YOU" Lord
Harry declared. 81 have so little to say
do you mind walking on with me for a
few minuteS?"
Mountjov silently complied. He was
thinking of what might have happened if
Iris had delayed her departnre-or if the
movement of the carriage had been to-
wards instead of away from the hotel In
either case it had been narrow escape for
The wife from dramatic discovery by the
nuSDanG.
eve Trishmen," Lord Harry resumed,
'1are not famous for always Obeying the
laws; but it is in our nature to respect the
law of hospitality. When you were at the
cottage yesterday was inhospitable to
my guest Ny rude behavior has weighed
on my mind since, and for that reason
have come here to speak to you. 1t was
ill-bred on my part to reprOach you with
your visit, and to forbid you (oh, quite
needlessly, don't doubtD to call on me
again. If | own that | have no desire to
propose a renewal of friendly intercourse
between us YOU will understand me, | am
sure: with my way of thinking the less we
see of each other for the future the better
it may be. But, for what l said when my
temper ran away with me, l ask you to ac-
cept my excuses and the sincere express
sion of my regret"
Iour EXCUSES are accepUeu, my lOru, as
sincerely as you have offered them, -
Mountjey answered. $50 far as | am con-
cerned, the incident is forgotten from this
moment
Lord Harry expressed his courteous
Acknowledgements. Spoken as becomes
gentleman" he said. 81 thank you"
There it ended. They saluted each 9TH
er; they wished each other good night. "A
mere formality!'' Hugh thought, when
they had parted.
He had wrenged the Irish lord in arriv-
ing at that conclusion. But time was to
pass before events helped him to discover
his error.