Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-06

BuSDlClOuSE
that this may not be a 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 if they addressed their inquir-
les to person who had already deceived
them.
Mountioy's inexhaustible indulgence
still made allowances for her. when
Mrs Vimpany comes back" he said, Il
win find 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 1T seems to
me, for continuing to trust her."
Suppose she shams ignorance" Iris per-
sisted, and looks as if she had never heard
of his name before?"
In that case, | shall own that / was
wrong, and shall ask you to forgive me-"
The finer and better nature of Iris re-
covered it's influence at these words. cit
is | who ought to beg pardon" she said.
"Oh | wish | could think before | speak;
how insolent and ill-tempered have been!
But suppose l turn out to be right, Hugh,
what viii you do then?"
''Ihen, 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.
Il have left you, Miss Henley, in such
good company" she said, with a gracious
inclination of her head in the direction
of MOuntioy THAT | need hardly repeat
my apolOgies-uuiess, indeed, | am inter-
rupting "a confidential conversation"
1t was possible that Iris might have be-
traved herself, when the Doctors wife had
looked at her after examining the address
on the packet In this case Mrs. Vimp-
any's allusion to "A confidential converse
tionn would have operated as a warning
to person of experience in the bv-ways of
deceit. MOuntjoy's utmost exertion of
cunning was not capable of protecting him
on such conditions as these. The Oppor-
tunity of trying his proposed experiment
with Lord Harry's name seemed to have
presented itself already. He rashly seized
on it.
'You have interrupted nothing that was
confidential" he FASTENED to assure Mrs.
Vimpany. eve have been speaking of a
reckless young gentleman, who is an ac-
quaintance of ours. If what hear is true
he has already become public property: his
adventures have found their way into
some of the newspapers"
Here, if Mrs Vimpany had answered
Hugh's expectations, she ought to have
asked who the young gentleman was. She
merely listened in polite silence.
With woman's quickness of percep-
ton. Iris saw that Mountioy had not only
bounced on his opportunity prematurely,
but had spoken with a downright direct
ness of allusion which must at once have
put such ready-witted person as Mrs.
Vimpany on her guard. In trying to pre-
vent him from pursuing his unfortunate
experiment in social diplomacy, Iris limo
Gently repeated Mountjoy's own mistake.
She, too, seized her opportunity prema-
turely. That is to say, she was rash enough
to change the subject
you were talking just now, Hugh, of
our friends adventures" she said; 81 am
afraid you will find yourself involved in
an adventure of no very agreeable kind
If Won engage n bed at the inn. / never
saw a more notwithstanding place"
1t was one of Mrs. Vimpany'S many
merits that she seldom neglected an op-
portunity of setting her friends at their
ease.
mo, no, dear Miss Henley" she hasten
ed to say; 1.-THE inn is really more clean
and comfortable place than you suppose.
A hard bed and a scarcity of furniture are
the worst evils which your friend has to
fear. Do you know" she continued, adj
dressing herself to Mountioy, ''that | was
reminded of friend of mine when you
spoke just now of the young gentleman
whose adventures are in the newspapers
Is it possible that you referred TO the
brother of the present Earl of Norland?
A handsome young Irishman-with whom
l first became acquainted many years
since Am | right in supposing that you
and Miss Henley know Lord Harry2" she
asked.
What more than this could an unpreiu-
diced mind require? Mrs. Vimpany had
set herself right with a simplicity that de-
fed suspicion. Iris looked at Mountioy
He appeared to know when he was beat
en-. Having acknowledged that Lord Harry
was the young gentleman of whom he and
Miss Henley had been speaking, he rose to
take leave.
After what had passed, Iris felt the ne
cessity of speaking privately to Hugh
The necessary excuse presented itself in
the remote situation of the inn. ''You will
never find your way back" she SAID
Through the labyrinth of crooked streets
in this old town. Wait for me minute,
and l will be your guide.
Mrs. Vimpany protested. my dear, let
the servant show the way"
Iris held gayly to her resolution, and
ran away to her room. Mrs. Vimpany
yielded with her best grace Miss Hen
ley's motive could hardly have been plain
er to her, If Miss Henley had confessed it
herself. what charming grip the
doctors amiable wife said to Mountjoy,
when they were alone. If were a man,
Miss Iris is just the young lady that l
should fall in love WITH She looked
Significantly at Mountjoy. Nothing came
of it. She went on: Miss Henley must
have had many opportunities of being
married; but the right man has, L fear,
not yet presented himself" Once more
her eloquent eyes consulted Mountjoy, and
once more nothing came of it. Some wo-
men are easily discouraged. Impenetra-
BILE Mrs. Vimpauy was one of the other
women; she had not done with Mountjoy
yet-she invited him to dinner on the next
day.
"Our early hour is three o'clock" she
said, modestly. Pray join u.s. | hope to
have the pleasure of introducing my hus-
band"
Mountjoy had his reasons Tor wishing to
see the husband. As he accepted the in
vitation, Miss Henley returned to accom-
pany him TO the inn.
Iris put the inevitable question to Hugh
as soon as they were out of the doctors
house-"Whatd do you say of Mrs Vimp-
any now?"
~ say that she must have been once an
actress" Mountjoy answered; land that
she carries her experience of the stage into
private life"
what do You propose to do next?''
Il propose To wait and see Mrs. Vimp-
any's husband TO morrow"
''Why?"
Mrs. Vimpany. my dear, is too clever
for me- lf-oOserye, please, that | do
her the justice of putting il in that way
if she is really Lord Harry's creature, en-
p4oyed TO keep watch on you. and to in
form him of your next place of residence,
in England, l own shat she has complete
ly deceived me. In that case, it is Just
possible that the husband is not such a
finished and perfect humbug as the wife
/ may be able to see through him. | cal
but try"
Iris SIGHED. SCI almost hope you may no
succeed she SalQ.
Mountjoy was puzzled, and made nc
attempt to conceal it. 81 thought you
,1x-rx -anf rat a rho frIlr h hka on.