Dodge City times., 1890-05-02

iSoNitNtED-l
CHAPTER Iv.-THE EGAME-MoUNTyoY LOSES.
Surprise silenced Hugh for the mo-
ment. Iris understood the look that he
quite sure" she told him, 'of what say"
Mountjoy's weil-balanced mind hesitat-
ed at rushing to conclusion
Il am sure you are convinced OF what
you tell me-" he said. But mistakes do
sometimes happen in forming judgment
of handwriting"
In the state of excitement that now pos
sessed her Iris was easily irritated; she was
angry with Hugh for only supposin9 that
she might have made a mistake. He had
himself, as she reminded him, seen Lord
Harry's handwriting in past days. Was
1t possible to be mistaken in those bold.
fhickly written characters, with some of
the'letters so quantity formed!
"Oh, Hugh, am miserable enough as il
is" she broke ont; don't distract me By
disputing what know! Think of wo
man so kind, SO disinterested, SO charm
lng-the very opposite of a false creature
think of Mrs. Vimpany having deceived
met"
There was not the slightest reason. thus
far, for placing that Interpretation on what
had happened. Mountjoy gently, very
gently, demonstrated.
"My dear, we really don't know yet that
Mrs Vimpany has been acting under Lord
6aTIy p" dlt d iltllc Dciolc
you suspect your fellow traveller of offer
ing her services for the purpose Of deceiv-
ing you" ur,,
did Mrs. Vimpany never tell me that she
knew Lord Harry Isn't that suspicious"
Nountjoy smiled. Let me put ques-
tion on my side" he said did you tell
Mrs. Vimpany you knew Lord Harry"
Iris made no reply; her face spoke for her.
"Well, then," he urged, ''is your silence
suspicious? am far, mind, from saying
that this may not be very unpleasant
discovery. Only let US be sure first that
we are right"
with most of a woman's merits. Miss
Henley had many of a woman's faults.
Still holding to her own conclusion, she
asked how they could expect to be sure
Of anything il they addressed their inquir-
ies to person who had already deceived
them.
Mountjoy's inexhaustible indulgence
still made allowances for her. When
Mrs. Vimpany comes back" he said, Il
will lnd an opportunity of mentioning
Lord Harry's name. If she tells us that
she knows him, there will be good reason
in that one circumstance, as it seems to
me, for continuing to trust her"
Suppose she shams Ignorance" Iris per
sisted, ''and looks as il she had never heard
of his name before?"
I'm that case, l shall own that l was
wrong. and shall ask you to forgive me-"
The finer and better nature Of Iris re-
covered its influence at these words. ''It
is who ought to beg pardon" she said.
"Oh, wish could think before l speak;
how insolent and ill-tempered have BEEN!
But suppose turn out to be right, Hugh,
what will you de them"
''Then, my dear, it will be my duty to
take you and your maid away from this
house. and to tell your father what serious
reasons there are" He abruptly checked
himself Mrs. Vimpany had returned; she
was in perfect possession of her lofty
courtesy, sweetened by the modest dignity
of her smile.
II have left you, Miss Henley, in such
good company" she said, with a gracious
inclination of her head in the direction
OF Mountjoy, THAT l need hardly repeat
my apologies-unless, indeed, am inter
rupting n confidential conversation"
it WAS possible that Iris might have be-
ira. Ell herself. when the DOCTORS wife had