Dodge City times., 1890-05-23


| Harry and Miss Henley. together.
The presence of third person seemed,
In some degree to relieve Lord Harry. He
ran upstairs to salute Mrs. Vimpany, and
was met again by . cold reception and
hostile look.
Strongly and strangely contrasted. the
two confronted each other on the stairs.
The faded woman, wan and CHASTITY un-
der cruel stress of mental suffering, stood
face to face with a fine, tall. 1.-the man,
! in the prime Of his health and strength.
Here were the bright blue eyes. the win
ment, which find their own way to favor
in the estimation Of the gentler sex This
irreclaimable wanderer among the peril
Gus by-ways of the earth-christened
"Irish blackguard," among respectable
members of society, when they spoke OF
even among the men. Looking at his
daring finely formed face, they noticed
(as an exception to a general rule, in these
days. the total suppression. by the razor,
of whiskers, mustache and beard. Stran-
gers wondered whether Lord Harry was
an actor or a Roman Catholic priest.
Among chance acquaintances, those few
favorites of nature who are possessed OF
active brains, guessed that his life of ad-
venture might well have rendered dis
guise necessary to his safety in more than
one part Of the world. Sometimes they
boldly put the question to him. The hot
temper of an Irishman. in moments OF ex-
citement, is not infrequently a sweet tenn
per in moments of calm. What they call
ed Lord Harry's good nature owned really
that he had been indebted, OF certain oc-
casions. to the protection of false beard,
and perhaps a coloring Of his face and hair
to match. The same easy disposition now
asserted itself. under the merciless enmity
Of Mrs. Vimpany's eyes.
'If have done anything to offend you."
he said, with an air of puzzled humility,
"Pm sure am sorry for it. Don't be an
CRY, Arabella, with an old friend. Why
won't you shake hands?"
II have kept your secret and done your
dirty work, Mrs. Vimpany replied. "And
what is my reward? Miss Henley can tell
you how your Irish laundering has ruined
me in lady's estimation. Shake hands.
indeed, You will never shake hands with
me again rs long as you live"
She said those words without looking at
him; her eyes were resting on Iris now.
From the moment when she had seen the
two together, she knew that it was all
over: further denial in the face of plain
proofs would be useless indeed! Submis-
sion was the one alternative left"
Miss Henley" she said, If you can feel
pity for another woman's sorrow and
shame. lef-me have last word with you
out OF this mans hearing"
There was nothing artificial in her tones,
or her looks; no acting could have initiated
the sad sincerity with which she spoke.
Touched by that change, Iris accompanied
her as she assembled the stairs. After a
them. Mrs. Vimpany turned on him
when they reached the drawing-room land.
ing. .'Must shut the door in your facer'
she asked.
He was as pleasantly patient as ever.
"You needn't take the trouble to do that,
laor MI Y oh
down and wait on the stairs. When you
have done with Miss Henley, just call me
in. And, by the way, don't be alarmed in
case of q little noise-say heavy man
tumbling downstairs. If tho blackguard
it's your misfortune to be married to
the necessity of kicking him. That's allv'
Mrs. Vimpany closed the door. She
spoke to Iris respectfully, as she might
have addressed q stranger occupying Q
higher rank in life than herself.
"There is an end. madam, to our short
end for ever. When we first met-let me
tell the truth at last!-I felt a malicious
pleasure in deceiving you. After that
time was surprised to find that you grew
on my liking. Can you understand the
wickedness that tried to resist you! II
was useless: your good influence has been
too strong for me. Strangel isn't it, !
have lived life Of deceit among the peO-
pie. What could you expect Of me after
thati heaped lies upon lies-I would
have denied that the sun was in the heav.
ens-rather than find myself degraded in
your opinion. Welli that Is all over
useless. quite useless now. Pray don't
mistake me. am not attempting to ex-
cuse myself: q confession was due to you;
the confession is made. It is too late to
hope that you will forgive me. II you will
permit it. 1 have only one favor to ask.
Forgive me-"
She turned away with q last hopeless
look. which said as plainly as If in words:
Il am not worth q reply"
Generous Iris insisted on speaking to
her.
81 believe you are truly sorry for what
you have DONE" she said; II can never
forget that can never forget you" She
held out her plying hand Mrs. vimpany
was too bitterly conscious Of the past to
touch it. Even spy is not beneath the
universal reach of the heart-ache. There
were tears in the miserable wOman's eyes
when she had looked her last at Iris Hem
ley.
CHAPTER XIL-LoRD HARRY's DEFENSE.
After short interval, the drawing-room
door was opened again. Waiting on the
threshold the Irish lord asked if he might
come in.
Iris replied coldly. "This is not nv