Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-16

look quite satisfied. Is the arrangement
that L have proposed not agreeable to
you?'
Iris assured him that she gratefully ac-
coded TO the arrangement. At the same
time, she confessed TO having been a little
startled, Oh discovering that he was in
consultation with the police. Il remem-
Der that we are in Ireland, +" she explained,
land am foolish enough to fear that YOU
may be in some danger. May | hope that
1t is only a trifle.'
Only a trihe! Among other deficient
senSibIIitieS in the strange nature of Iris.
Sir Giles had observed an imperfect ap-
probation of the dignity of his social posi-
tion. Here was a new proof of itl The
temptation to inspire sentiments of alarm
moi unmIngled with admiratiOn-in the
mine of his Insensible g~oddauglIter. by
exhibiting himself as a public Character
threatened by q conspiracy, was more
h the bankers vanity could resist. Be-
fore he left the room, he instructed Den
mis- to tell Miss Henley what had hap
pened, and to let her judge for herself
whether he had been needlessly alarmed
by what she pleased to call, "a mere
trifer'
Dennis Howmore must have been more
than mortal if he could have related his
narrative of events without being in1u-
enced by his own point Of view. On the
first occasion when he mentioned Arthur
MOnntjOy'S name Iris showed a sudden in
terest in his strange story which took him
by surprise.
"You know Mr.. Arthur" he said.
"Know himH' Iris repeated. He was
my playfellOw when we were both chill
dren. He is as dear to me as if he was my
brother. Tell me at once-is he really in
danger?"
Dennis honestly repeated what he had
already said on that subject to his master.
Miss Henley entirely agreeing with him.,
was paOar tO warn a rthnr pf he pOgitiOn
There was no telegraphic communication
with the village which was near the farm.
She could only write to him, and she did
write TO him by that days post-haVsng
reasons of her own for anxiety which for
bade her to show her letter to Dennis.
Well aware of the devoted friendship
which united Lord Harry and Arthur
MOuntjOy-and bearing in mind the news
paper report of the Irish Lords rash assO-
citation with the InvincibleS-her fears now
identified the noble vagabond as the writ
er of the anonymous letters which had so
seriously excited her gOdfather's doubts of
his own safety.
When Sir Giles returned, and took her
with him to his house, he spoke of his
consultation with the Sergeant in terms
which increased her dread of what might
happen in the future. She was a dull and
silent guest during the interval that
elapsed before it would be possible to re-
ceiVe Arthur's reply. The day arrived
u1l bAlC DOSu bIOlShb ~ lGllGl W ICI dHAI-
cites. The next day passed without q let
ter. On the morning of the fourth day.,
Sir Giles rose later than usual. His cor
-respOndence was sent to him from the of
flee at breakfast time. After opening one
of the letters he despatched a messenger
in hot haste to the police.
Look at that" he said, handing the
letter to Iris. Does the assassin take me
for a fOol?"
She read the lines that follow:
Unforeseen events force me, Sir Giles, to
run a serious risk. must speak to you, and
it must not be by daylight. My one hope of
safety is in darkness Meet me ut the first
milestone, on the road to G lrvnn, when the
moon sets at 10 O'Clock tonight. No need to
mention your name, The password is: FL
delity.'"
"Do you mean to go?'' Iris asked.
ID | mean to be murdered!'' Sir Giles
broke out. "My dear child, do pray try
t think before you speak. The Sergeant
will represent me, of course"
And take the man prisoner, " Iris add
ed.
Certainly"
With that startling reply, the banker
hurried away to receive the police in an
other room. Iris dropped into the near
est chair. The turn that the affair had
now taken filled her with unutterable dis.
NAV.
Sir Giles came back, after no very long
absence, composed and smiling. The
SSAAA'S ~ httNA DSSA w
his complete satisfaction.
Dressed in private clothes, the Sergeant
was to go TO the milestone at the appoint
ed time, representing the banker in the
darkness, and giving the password. He
was to be followed by two of his men who
would wait in Concealment, within hear
ing of his whistle, if their services were
required. 81 want to see the ruffian when
he is safely handcutfed, !" Sir Giles explain
ed; land | have arranged to wait for the
police, tonight, at my office"
There was but one desperate way that
Iris could now discern of saving the man
who had contided in her godfather's hon
or, and whose trust had already been be-
trayed. Never had she loved the Outlawed
Irish lord-the man whom she was for
hidden, and rightly forbidden. to marry
as she loved him at that moment. Let
the risk be what it might, this resolute
woman had determined that the Sergeant
should not be the only person who arrived
at the milestone and CAV the password.
There was one devoted friend to Lord
Harry, whom she could always trust-and
that friend was herself.
Sir Giles withdrew, to look after his
business at the bank. She waited until
the clock had struck the servants dinner
hour, and then assembled the stairs to her
godfather'S dreSSing-room. Opening his
wardrobe, she discovered in one part of it
a large Spanish cloak and in another part
a high-crowned felt hat which he wore on
his country excursions. In the dark, here
was disguise enough for her purpose.
As she left the d-ressing-room a measure
of precautiOn occurred to her which she
put in action at once. Telling her maid
that she had some purchases to make in
the town, she went out and asked her way
TO Caravan of the first respectable stranger
whom she met in the street. Her object
was to walk as far as the first milestone in
daylight, so as to be sure of finding it
again by night. She had made herself
familiar with the different objects on the
road when she returned to the bankers
house.
AS the time for the arrest drew nearer,
Sir Giles became too restless TO wait pa.
tiently at home. He went away to the
police office, eager to hear if any new
counter-conspiracy had occurred to the
authorities.
1t was dark soon after s o'clock at that
time of the year. AT 9 the ServantS as
sembled at the supper-table. They were
all downstairs together, talking and wait.
ing for their meal.
Feeling the necessity of arriving at the
place of meeting in time to keep out of the
~Sergeants way, Iris assumed her disguise
as the clock struck 9. She left the house
without a living creature to notice her,
indoors or out. Clouds were gathering
over the sky. The waning moon was only
to be seen at intervals, as she set forth on
her way to the milestone.
VI.
The wind rose a little, and the riffs in
the clouds began to grow broader as Iris
gained the high road.
For a while. the glimmer Of the misty
moonlight lit the way fore her. As
well as she could guess, she had passed
over more thar half of the distance be.
tween the town and the milestone before
the sky darkened again. Objects by the
wayside grew %shadowy and dim. A few
100. - fn11 VI II