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

CHAPTER XIV.
by the bye" says old Mr.. Desmond look
Ing at his nephew across the remains Of the
dessert, you've been a good deal at Aghyo-
hillbeg OF late; why?'
1t is next evening, and, Monica being at
Moyne and inaccessible, Brian is at Coole.
Mr. Kelly is walking UP and down on the
gravtlad walk outside, smoking cigar.
Because Miss Beresford was there" says
Brian, breaking grape languidly from the
bunch he hobs in his hand.
"IFtat! says Mr.. Desmond, facing him.
because Miss BereSfoyd was there"
what am | to understand by that"
That she was there l suppose" says
Brian, laughing, "and that l am head over
ears in love with her."
How dare you say such thing as that to
| me?' says the Squire, pushing back his
chair and growing lively purple. Are you
going to tell lie next you mean to marry
her?''
Il certainly do" says Brian; ''and," with
glance OF goOd-humored defiance at the
Squire, 'I'm the happiest man in the world
to-day because she last night told me she'd
have me-"
You shan't do itT' says the Squire, now
almost apoplectic. you shan't!-do you
hear? I'm standing in your poor fathers
place, sir, and forbid you to marry one of
that blood. What! marry the daughter-of
of" something in his throat masters him
here,-''the niece of Priscilla Blake, a wO-
man with tongue! NeverF'
My dear George, you wouldn't surely
have me marry woman lOithOut one"'
II think all women would be better with
out them; and as for Priscilla Blake's, tell
you, sir, Xantippe was an angel to her. l
insist Oh your giving up this idea at once"
Il certainly sha'n't give up Miss Beres-
ford, if that's what you mean"
''rhen I'll disinherit youv' roars the
Squire. II WILL L swear il! I'll marry my
self. I'll do something desperate"
mo, you WON'T" says Brian, laughing
again; and, going over to the old man. he
lays his hand upon his shoulders and pushes
him gently back into his chair. ''When you
see her you will adore her, and she sent her
love to you this morning, and this, too" lay
ing photograph of Monica before the
Squire, who chances at it askance, as though
T fearful it may be some serpent waiting to
sting him for the second time; but, as he
looks, his face clears.
''She is not like her mother" he says, in
low tone.
Il never met such remorseful old beg
gar" thinks Desmond, with wonder; but
just at this moment a servant enters with Il
message to the Squire; so the photograph is
hastily withdrawn, and the conversation
OF rather discuss: On-cOneS 10 an end.
1.-TWO of the tenants are asking TO see you,
sir" says the butler, contidentialIy.
what tWo?''
Donovan, from the East, and Moloney,
from the Bog Road, sir"
IkNaryy Nn1oro1r i,to M IL
brary, and Ii Donovan TO wait Downstairs
until l send for him."
Yes, SIR"
'Well, Moloney, come to pay your rent?'
says the Squire, cheerfully entering the Ii
brary and gazing keenly at the man who is
awaiting him there. He smiles apologize
ally, and shuffieS uneasily from one foot to
the other as he feels the SQure's eyes upon
him.
No. sir: can't bring it, sir. I'd he in 4
dhread O. my life wild the boys to do it."
Il don't know who the gentlemen in qucs
stion You designate as the boys may be"
says the Squire, calmly. Il can only tell
you that | expect my rent from you, and in
tend to get it."
That's what came to spake about, yer
honor. But the Land League is a powerful
body, an secret, too; look at the murther o.
Nj. Herbert and that English Lord i'll Fay.
nix Park, and the rewards an all, an what's
come of it?'
"a good deal will come of it, l trust"
says The Desmond. ''In the mean time, L am
not to be deferred from doing my duty by
idle threats. I thought you, Moloney, were
too respectable man to mix yourself up
with this movement"
'1'm only poor man, sir, but my life is
a rood IN apntbnr'S. an if |
they'll murther me, an what'll become O.
me then? An, besides, haven't it, sir; tits
thrue for me. How can be up to time, wild
the crops so bad this year?"
''It is as good year as l have ever known
for crops" says Desmond. Il will have no
excuses of that sort; either you pay ME or
turn out / am quite determined on this
point"
"Ye're hard man." says Moloney, with
an evil glance.
II expected you to say nothing else. All
the kindness of years is forgotten because
of one denial. How often have let you
Off your rent entirely during these twenty
years we have been landlord and tenant to-
gether! There, go! have other business
to attend to. But on Monday, remember"
"Ye won't see me that day or any other"
says the fellow, insolently, sticking his hat
OH his head with n defiant gesture.
VERY good That is your own lookout.
You know the consequences of your non-ar
rival. Denis" 10 the f0otman, ''show this
man out, and send Donovan here"
Yes, sir"
''Well, Donovan, what is it?'' says Des-
| mond, few minutes later, as the library
dor again opens to admit the other maicon-
tent. He is a stout, thck-set man, with
fierce eyes ami lowering brow. lie has
mercifully escaped, however, the hypocritlc-
al meanness OF the face til It has just gone
| There is a boldness, a reckless, determined
| daring about this III N, that stamrS him as
| a leading spirit among men of evil minds
1--we come here to Spake to We Tonight,
| Misther Desmond, as man to man." lie says
with a somewhat staggering air.
| To be continued.