Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-05-15
AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.
And What 1t Led ro-a Romance in Domes
tic Life.

lHu1ltIeIG W Ills own success Iudt
Gerard Strickland, twitching his cuffs and
stretching his arms before letting his
hands fall into his lap, sank back into the
after throwing on the table the letter that
announced his promotion to an enviable
post In the civil service As he thought
of the past his advancement seemed to
him no subject for congratulations, but
| only one of those grim jests with which
fortune delights to mock disappointed
men.
An old man-servant, one of a sort grow
ing rare, entered the room with an even
ing paper. He laid it at his masters side
and stood at respectful distance waiting,
half hesitating, with some anxiety legible
In his Countenance.
"Well, Thomas?" asked Strickland
Il beg your pardon, sir; but do you re-
member what day it is to-day?'
mo, Thomas
Your wedding day. sir
Stricklands face clouded
81 did not know, sir, whether you would
wish for dinner the same wine as-you
used to have"
mo. Thomas; shall probably dine at
the cub"
Il ordered dinner as usual, sir and a
bouquet, III CASE
'.Quite right. Thomas, quite right
For an instant the heart of the promot-
ed official sank. The fidelity of his old
domestic was Eumiliating. How he
would once have resented the suggestion
that Thomas would remember this ami
versary better than himself. And that
it should fall to the old ser 5ant to order
from the florist the bouquet Gerard himself
had been formerly so proud to bring home
on this evening to his W fe! But the
slight sense OF annoyance passed away
quickly. It was with absolute Indifference
that, seeing the man servant still waiting
he asked:
''Anything else. Thomas?"
This morning, when you had but
just gone, lady called. Hearing you
were not at home, she said she would call
again this evening. about six. She wished
to see you on important business"
Her name?"
''She left none
''Did you see her?'
''No, sir"
did John say what she looked like?"
Rather tall, sir; young lady, dark
and fashionably dressed"
IF she calls | will see her. You may
go Thomas ~ The servant left and Strick-
land continued to himself: ''Tall, young,
dark, well-dressed, business with me. Who
can she be?''
THE lady is here, sir, in the drawing
room," said Thomas, returning to the
library after about ten minuets.
Strickland went to the drstwing-room
At the door he paused moment to steal
a look at his visitor. She stood by one of
the tables. idly turning the leaves of a
photograph album. Her back was toward
him, and@he could distinguish the tall and
graceful lines of a woman. we'll dressed,
and wearing expensive laces.
''Madamr' he said advancing.
The lady turned Strickland started as
if he had received an electric shock To
conceal to the best of his ability, his sur
prise, and sudden pallor of his face, he
made her profound bow.
81 hope am not inconveniencing you"
she said, at the same time returning his
salute. Then, with a quiet ease, she Sc
lected a chair and sat down
Not in the least, am at your service, :"
said Strickland.
As shall avail myself of your condo
scension, | hope that was not merely
compi ment.
May | ask how I can oblige you?'
The lady stroked the soft fur of her muff,
and once or twice lifted her searching
eyes to his face. Apparently she was
hesitating to name the purpose of her
visit. Meanwhile Strickland gratifed his
eyes with good look at her-lovely,
fascinating,stiIl as the first day he had seen
her. Only her pure profile had gained
more decision, and her eyes had a pro-
founder meaning than when he last looked
into them; as those of a woman who had
lived and suffered.
At lengths he said:
DO you still correspond with my
father?"
Yes: 1t is however, a fortnight
since last wrote to him.
Il received a letter from him yester-
day. He is coming home tomorrow
This time Strickland made no attem pt
to conceal his surprise.
Tomorrow! Your father, who never
leaves homer'
THE medical men order him to the
south coast, and he will, on his way, stop
in town, to spend the night with"
She paused.
His daughter,'' said Strickland
He says his son! and so we find our
selves in pleasant embarrassment.
She leaned back, and with small hand
began drubbing waltz on the table at her
side.
'.Yuo call it pleasant" said Strick-
land
Il did not come here to discuss words,
but to discover plan of action.
Il see none"
! And you are a politician, a man of
| genius! If these subtle arts that have
been so successfully employed in your own
advancement could be, without prejudice
to you, this once employed to extricate
me from
Excuse me madam; but your reap
proaches are scarcely likely to assist me tc
exercise my imagination.
Bah! Well. l have plan. First.
do not wish. cost what it may. to let my
faith 1now-the truth"
The unhappy truth"
She made little grimace, and proceeded
Ny father would be cruelty hurt, anc
the sins of the children ought not to bt
visited upHn their parents. My remorSe-
beg your pardon, that Is OF no cuIl>r
quence Lere''-she looked aside to war;
him not to expostulate, and continued
hitherto thanks to our precautions. the
distance of my fathers residence and tn,
seclusion in which he prefers to live. h,
has been spared this sorrow. Tomorrow
our clever artifce of dutiful falsehood fall
to the ground, and at least am unable Il
conjecture the consequences.
And l."
Mr.. Strickland. it is absolutely neces
sary to prevent this scandal. | trust you
will assist me, Ny father must find u