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

"dgonetle ana laced MIN at the dinner
table, and not long after dinner Mrs.
Rashleigh retired to bed. The next day
II was so much better. but early in the
afternoon he did ind Der alone Willough-
by Dockrell was too much OF diplomat
lst to show his hand before he saw what
his adversary was likely to play. but still
the time was short, his opportunities few,
while the advent of a fresh batch O.
visitors might spoil the game completely
At the end Of quarter of an hours talk
Mrs. Rashleigh began to feel uncomfort-
able, and more than ever was she re.
solved to tell Major Champion the whole
story directly he ::arrived. She got away
and shut herself up in her room until
the first batch Of new guests were an
nounced
What in heavens name is that fellow
doing down here?" was Champions first
| question, when he found himself at last
| alone with his hostess before dress
ing. She was silent for moment, but
she did not pretend not to know what he
| meant.
well, you see. he goes everywhere;
he's very clever and sort of celebrity
him"
oO w L, sdlu loGNeUlly.
But it is not only his coming that s
the matter" said Lefty, incoherently;
but I'm sure he meant to stay. BE will
never, never CO."
Ca yes he will; he will go TO- morrow
morning"
'Oh, Jack, l can't have it. won t
have row In this house. Why the news
papers will get hold of it, and shall
never forgive you if you do anything
horrid -"
''l'm not going to do anything horrid.
| shall just mention in the smoking room
tonight that Jobson, the editor of the
Evening Telephone is coming down here
tomorrow for day or two"
But, my dear Jack, Jobson isn't com
ing! | don't even know him. How on
earth will that help us?"
"Wait and see. Ii the thing works, r II
tell you all about it, "You re a ridiculous
little person, you know, and utterly, unfit
to take care OF yourself. You'd much bet
ter let
There's the dressing bell, Jack.
You getting impossible. | shall send
you away tomorrow loo"
And when the same evening, as the
ladies were going to their roomS, Mrs
Rashleigh saw Jack Champion walking off
with Dockrell in the direction of the
smoking room, she felt a pang of COM
junction at the innocent plot she had as
sented to In order to get rid of her bril-
liant guest
There were lots Of letters by the morn
ing post. which came in while they were
at breakfast, but only one for Willoughby
Dockrell. He lej it lie by his plate for
some minutes, and then, asking permits
sion OF his hostess, with his rather ever
elaborate manner, he slowly broke the
seal
What BORE" he said, presently,
when he laid down the note and deliber-
ately resumed his breakfast. Il shall have
to go to town this morning by an early
train. Some bothering business which |
can't get out Of.
Mrs. Rashleigh dared not look at Cham
pion, whose triumph was now complete.
Both had seen Mr. Willoughby Dockrell' s
letter was wallet-shaped. adorned with a
pretty monogram and addressed in a bold
feminine hand. The "business," then,swas
myth. And yet, woman like, she felt al
most guilty when the dog cart was al the
door and the last good-byes wore being
said. Dockrell, who for once looked red
and flustered, seemed to avoid speaking to
her alone. She murmured something
about having the pleasure Of seeing him
down there on some future occasion. And
yet as they looked straight at each other
with the final hand shake, Lefty knew
that in all probability she would never see
him again.
wv hat does it all mean?'' sad Mrs.
Rashielgh sternIy, few minutes later.
1t was in the sanctum and there was no
there but Jack. 1t was a mere trifie but
it struck her that Major Champion did
| not lounge in her favorite chair, out stood
tentatively at the fire place, playing nerv-
ousiy with some tin bronze cats clashing
cvmbals, which she had brought from
Vienna.
The magic name of Jobson worked
the miracle" said Champion smiling
"Jobscn knew something about your
poet which makes it-well inconvenient
for them to meet. told you he would go.
| Although the mar has never been con-
victed, there's no moral doubt that he's
well a forger.'
Great heaveasr' murmured Lefty as
she thought of intimate little notes she
had written him, of the confdetiai talks
in London, of the still more compromis-
ing interviews down here. Aud here was
Jack, who, Rhatever his fault, mad clearly
never committed forgery, but VIII en- she
had always snubbed! Mrs Rashleigh
crossed the room to his side.
How can | ever thank you?" she
whispered gazing at the half moons on
his necktie,
Lettie gave it wonderingly and ne held
| it gamly III his strong grip.
Il am going to keep it for always" an
nounced Champion gravely.
What rubbish yon talk, jack whis-
pered the owner Of the land. But she