Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-08
DOCK RELL'S DEPARTURE.

DOCKRELL'S DEPARTURE
Whatever else Dockrell intended to do,
it was evident that he did not mean to go.
Mrs. Rashleigh began to be alarmed. She
had asked him down, to be sure, without
specifying the exact day he was to leave,
but now the last guest had made the last
pretty speech, and the dogcart containing
sportsman and his belongings was. disap
pearing down the drive. and yet, by a
blazing fire in the coy study, she knew
that at that moment Wlllough hoy Dockrell
was unfolding the morning papers and
lighting a cigar. with that complacent
smile which irritated her so much when
she was not in the mood for it. And she
was by no means In the mood for it to-day.
1t was not only fresh set of people were
to arrive tomorrow, most of whom would
by no means share her enthusiasm fer the
poet was now stretched at his ease in her
favorite arm chair, but that the party in
vited for the next few days was to include
a faithful and some what stolid admirer.
Major Champion.
Now, Mrs. Rashleigh was not one of
the order of women who are unhappy if
they have not second lover TO play off
on the first. Under such circumstances,
she opine9, Doth were apt to be fretful
and unamusing. Mrs. Rashleigh, to be
sure, had been a widow for exactly five
years, so that it may be inferred that she
knew something of the other sex. Young,
cheerful and we'll off, without being pretty,
she was distinctly attractive, and, having
the social instinct, her place in Blankshire
was nearly always full. In London she
was inclined to effect the "smart, intel
Iectual SET" and she liked to be credited
with ideas and opinions. Ideas and
opinions, were, perhaps, rather scarce in
the circles in which Mrs. Rashleigh usual
y moved. 1t was probably this which had
made her seek the society of Dockrell, for
the man, at any rate, had brains. But
there were questions which she could not
bel p asking herself in her present I'M
steady frame of mind.
Apart from volume of poems which
had made a certain stir, who and what
was he? Nobody seemed quite to know,
least OF all in the rather fashionable set
into which he had effected an entrance.
He had a clean-cut face, plausible manners
and pretty talent for giving the talk a
neat epigramatic tone, while it was cell
tain that he had lived in Paris, in Rome
and in New York, aud that he knew every
body little and nobody we'll.
1t men, too, instinctively disliked him,
it was notorious that for most women he
had and irresistible attraction, so that one
was apt to meet Willoughby DockreIl
more frequently in inner drawing rooms
than in the more breezy mental atmos-
phere of the clubs. But though Mrs.
Rashleigh was fond of having long dis
cussions with her literary adr.irer, it by
no means followed that She intended to
continue those discussions for life, and
during the last day or two Dockrell had
assumed an all-conquering air which was
distasteful to her. 1t is always awkward
for hostess to have to tell guest to q
and Mrs. Rashlelgh racked her brains for
an expedient as the hall door closed to on
the last member of the party and she
thoughtfuly crossed the hall
well shall have to tell Jack all about
it when he comes Tomorrow" she said to
herself at last, with that little sigh Of re,
lief which a woman gives when she has
determined to transfer her troubles to
shoulders broader than her own.
And meanwhile Willoughby Dockrell,
, having finished second cigar, was med.
itating on his plan of campaign. For
nearly thirty hours he would hay his
charming hostess to himself. for the young
sister who was there to play propriety
hardly counted and he would be able to
get her to drive or TO ride alone
with him that very afternoon. Thirty
hours, he told himself, alone in d country
house with woman who obviously
likes you is worth thirty months of after
noon calls and dinner conversations in
London.
He glanced around the room. How de.
Iightful it all was, so crazy, so old fash
toned, with the air of having been always
just like that. The leather bindings OF
the books were worn and mellowed; the
gilt Of the picture frames was little
dim with age. A Romney and Gains
borough portraits Of departed Rash
leighs-gazed down ON him from either
side of the fireplace. A granduncle with
diIettante tastes, who had made the
grand tour had brought back thai
| Canovat from Rome. Generations of gen
| tlefolks had lived and read and chatted in
that room. At his age, and with nj:
tastes, it was all just what had appeaie
TO HIM most-the sense of security, o.
rest, of long unchanging years. WiIiough
| by Dockrell had been of late frequent
guest in English country houses, but ne
home that he had entered had appealed L
| him quite so intimately as this. A mar
of forty five, who has lived in most of The
capitals of civilization, generally turns ii
last to some such heaven. At As tn,
i boulevards of Paris. the clubs of Londol
and the balls of New York may begin t,
pail.
At that uncertain age, when he il
neither old nor young, he had begun t.
think that man wanted home, posi-
ton and wife. Now, all these things
he thought, were we'll within his reach
There were no children; the place was her
! for her lite time, after which it would q
to distant cousin. As TO that unpleas
ant affair IN Amefica-weIl, it all happen
eG fifteen years ago. and New York is 4;
| long way from London, even if London il
toerably near New York. Only one mar
in England knew anything about the story
of those bonds, and that man he Is certain
not to meet in a small country house. AnC
then Mrs. Rashleigh had said nothing IL
her note of invitation as to the length O.
his stay; indeed, ii had been word o.
two only. Dockrell took the note ont Of
his pocket and read it with Il curiously
satisfied smile.
Cant you come and see me in tht
country?" it ran, and the fact Of tnert
being 10 beginning was an important ont
in the eyes of such student of temiuini
ty as WiIIoughby DocBreil. Il shaI
have some nice people staying with me a
the beginning of the month. Could yol
come on the Sd? We shall be able to dis
cuss- Bourget-and lots of things! Eve
sincerely yours,
Lefty RashIeigh.'
| I'LL lo Iol fh.. iId ON,