Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-20

ing suggestive inquiries. 1t was useless;
he only complained of being thirsty. His
wife lost her self-control She was too
furiously angry with him to be able to re-
main in the room. Recovering her COM
posture when she was alone. she sent for
sodawater and brandy Her one chance
OF making him useful was to humor his
vile temper; she waited on him hesself
In some degree, the drink cleared his
muddled head. Mrs. Vimpany tried his
memory once more. Had he said this?
Had he said that? Yes: he thought it like
ly. Had he, or had Mr.. Mountjoy, men
toned Lord Harry's name? A glimmer
of intelligence showed itself in his stupid
eyes. Yes-and they had quarrelled about
it; he rather thought he had thrown
bottle at Mr.. Mountjoy's head. Had they,
either of them, said anything about Miss
Henley? Oh, of course! What was it?
He was unable to remember. Had his
wife done bOthering him now?
'Not quite" she replied. TRY to under
stand what am going to say to you. If
Lord Harry comes to us, while Miss Hen
Lev is in our house"
He interrupted her. THAT'S your bust
ness"
"Wait a little, It's my business if l
hear beforehand that his lOrdship is COM
ing. But he is quite reckless enough to
take US by surprise. In that case | want
you to make yourself useful. If you hap
pen to be at home keep him from seeing
Miss Henley until have seen her first"
''Why?'
81 want an opportunity, my dear, of
telling Miss Henley that have been wick
ed enough to deceive her before she finds
it ont for herself. | NAV hope she will for
give me II / confess everything"
The doctor laughed What the devil
does it matter whether she fOrgives you
or not?"
1T matters a great deal"
why, you talk as if you were fond of
her"
81 ann
"The doctors clouded Intelligence was
beginning to clear: ne made a smart re-
ply: "Fond of her, and deceiving her
ahap
Yes" she said, quietly, that's just
what it is. 1t has grown on me little by
little; l can't help liking Miss Henley"
well" Mr. Nimpany remarked, you
are foolo He looked at her cunningly.
Suppose l do make myself useful what
am | to gain by it?''
''Let US get back" she suggested, ''to
the gentleman who invited you to dinner,
and made you tipsy for his own purposes.
''Ill break every bone in his skin"
Don't talk nonsense! Leave Mr.. Mount
joy to me-"
do you take his part? I can tell you
this If drank too much of that poison
Gus French stuff, MOuntjOy set me the eX-
ample. He was tipsy-as you call it.
shamefully tipsy, | give YOU my word of
honor What's the matter now?"
His wife $50 impenetrably cool, thus far
had suddenly become excited. There was
| not the smallest fragment of truth in
what he had just said of Hugh, and Mrs.
Vimpany was not for a moment deceived
by it. But the lie had, accidentally, one
merritt suggested to her the idea which
| she had vainly tried to find, over her cup
| of tea. Suppose | show you how you
may be revenged on Mr.. Mountjoy," she
! said
''Well?"
"Will you remember what I asked you
to do for me, if Lord Harry takes US by
! SURPRISED"
! He produced his pocket-dIary, and told
! her to make a memorandum of it. She
wrote as briefly as if she had been writ
! ing a telegram: Keep Lord Harry from
seeing Miss Henley, till have seen hel
! first"
Now" she said, taking a chair by The
bedside, you shall know what a clever
wife you have got. Listen TO me-"