Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-08-25

mailman is thin as q hair. and he would
whisper something IN her ear at which
she would turn pale, and later on I'M
lock from a secret drawer letter that
she knew by heart.
Her portrait hangs in the west gallery
of the Hall-a brilliant gypsy face with
dark mocking eyes, and little scarlet
mouth in which pride and determina-
ton Turk; and so wildly was her dark
beauty reproduced in her sons and their
children after them, that in the county
the resemblance of father to son in the
Eyre family gradually passed into a
prOverb.
There was, too. a strong similarity of
character hencefOrth in the whole race:
it was IS though the force. whether for
good or evil, that manifested itself in
them wrote itself as inQelibly on their
minds as on their faces, SO that what
the father had been it was safe to fore
tell the son would be; and up to the
present time. with one exception only,
this had invariably proved to be the
case.
Lady Sara lived to weep bitter tears
Of shame. and see her pride laid in the
dust. and portrait Of him who laid it
there hangs beside her on the Wall-a
slim young fellow, whose dark face is a
masculine copy of her own, but with
/ more heart in the eyes. and something
of the keen intellectual glanca that dis
tinguiShed Madcap's husband, the pres
ent master of the Hall.
He was Lady Sara's fayOrite grand
son, and his successes at college had
been so brilliant as to cause a certain
great man to single him out for his
especial consideration, and even to ex-
press an intention of bringing him for
ward in public life at the earliest posi-
bic opportunity.
Brandon. covered with honOrs and
excited by his hopes. retired in COM
pauy with half a dozen Of his friends to
the Hall. there to indulge in those
amuSementS that, with the EyTes, in
yariabiy alternated with periods Of alb
SOrblng study and lntenSeSC application.
On this occasion a great deal OF high
play and drinking went forward, till
the young host, prOverDally unlucky at
games of chance, had lost a larger sum
OF money than he could possibly repay
TO MuSgr3ye, man unpopular with the
rest for more reason than one; and on
a certain night MuSgrave won more
heavily than usual, his pOcket-bOoil
scarcely containing the banknOteS he
crammad into it, together with an / Q
y from Brandon for thousand pounds.
The poor lad-he was but little more
on passing Musgrave'S room that
night, and hearing himself called,
paused to eXChan e 4 few words with
his guest, who in his presence put the
notes away IN an GScritOlTe near his bed,
and Brandon noted with unconscious
accuracy that it was the fourth drawer,
and also the Shape Of the handle, which
Was different to that Of the others; and
CO hynn he. ilyT0 on hi lO
went his way.
Next morning, as they sat at break
fast, MuSgraye. as if by accident, pulled
out his p0cket-boOk, then made sud-
den exclamation that drew all eyes up
on him. Good God" he cried, Il am
robbed. The notes are gOneE'
impossible" said Brandon, rOusing
himself. why, man, | saw you with
my own eyes place them in The eScritoire
last night-the fourth drawer, | think.
remember noticing the handle"
Did I?'' said MuSgraye, affecting to
look puzzled. Il really forget. If you
remember the drawer and [ don't, will
you do me the kindness, my dear fell
low, to fetch them for me?"
To be sure, said Brandon, too pre-
occupied by his anXietieS to think OF
the OidneSS of the request; and he left
the room at once, closing the door be-
hind him.
That's cool thing" said one of the
men, Ito send your host on lackey'S
errdnd. l supposed you thought that,
being your host, he could not well re-
fuse?"
But Musgrave said not word, only
sat watching the shut door, and count
inc the seconds to Brandon's return.
He had not long to wait. Brandon
came in YEARLY and sat down empty
handed.
You gave me wild-goose chase,
MuSgrave," he said; the drawer was
empty-you must have changed them
to some other place. Besdes-I remem-
Der noW-the notes were in the pocket
book when you put them away"
Then | must abide by the loss of my
money" said Musgrave, in so strange
a tone that all present looked at him in
wonder.
prove your loss" said Brandon,
haughtily. This is the first time a
guests money has been missing or stOl-
en- in this house, and if the notes are
not found [ pledge my honor their value
shall be restored to you. Gentlemen,
will you come with me and help me to
conduct the search?"
He turned about lightly, and they all
followed him; but though they ransack-
ed every nook and cOrnerin Musgrave's
room from the chimney downward, the
money was not found; and the strange
look on Musgrave's face became more
marked as, himself idle, he looked on
at the useless toll Of the searchers.
His expression was not lost upon
Brandon, and as soon as the search was
abandoned, he said: Gentlemen. the
npyt room, tO 10 will ho INV
own" But at this. Musgrave sprang
| forward, and seized Brandon by the arm
to hold him back.
MOI, he cried, 1.-The matter shall-go
no further; it was a hoax, a stupid
| practical joke Of my own"
Your jest was sorry one" said
| Brandon, cOldly, as he shook himself
| free, while from the men burst forth
| expressions of contempt, anger, and
| disgust: but, such as 1t is, [ shall not
consider it complete without sight OF
the notes that have given us SO much
useless trouble, andyOu so much amuse-
| ment at our expense"
The notes are my own" said Mus
grave, sullenly. Il decline for more
| reasons than one"-and a meaning
glance at Brandon shot from his eyes,
Ito produce them"
You have them on your persona"
said Brandon, quietly.
No"
Then, gentlemen" said Brandon,
"we will continue the search:" and he
led them straight to his own room.
His fate be On his own head" said
MuSsrave TO hlmSeIf, as he followed,
and, standing in the doorway, heard a
| low grOan escape one of the searcherS
| who stood as though turned to stone,
| looking at bundle of notes he held in