Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-04-11
AN ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY.


much perhaps in form and feature as
in certain expression of traits that
were similar. They were sitting over
a late dinner talking earnestly, and not
altogether amicably, on a subject of
great Importance. 1t was evident at
a glance that the apartments were
those of a bachelor. They were care
lessly arranged, and presented none
of the attrao tive features which an
nounce the presence of the lesser
man" There were no notices on the
walls, but their absence suggested one:
What is a table richly spread
Without a woman at it's head?
The two men squared their elbows
on the table, drummed on it with their
fingers and ate indiscriminately of
everything within reach. When the
domestic left the room they resumed
a converse ton which had been inter-
rupted.
TITS a shame-a cruel shame" Git
was the elderly man who was speak
ing) that when my whole life has
been darkened and ruined by an I'M
happy mistake, | cannot be allowed
this late compensation"
'Then you care nothing for the girl?"
suggested the younger man. "You do
not seem to care for the misery that
such step would cause her. In all
my life | never knew of such one
sided arrangement. / would have sup
posed that if you had really cared for
her you would have consulted her hap
piness and welfare"
1T is because | do care for her that
| have contemplated this step"
'You talk Of your ruined life. What
are YOU making of hers? A worse
ruin than your own, for that comes
within the law"
"Confound the lawi'
Eyes. These seem to be your senti-
ments, but the law is a very important
factor in mems lives across the water,
however it may be regarded in this
country. | do not imagine that my
highly respected uncle would care to
return to his native land in the guise
of a criminal, or even to figure as one
In the country of his adoption. How is
1t, uncle?"
Gerald, you are cruel. You have a
heart of iron. Can you not see that it
will be greatly to your advantage to
drop this matter and go your way,
while ] go mine?''
And become accessory to a crime?"
"There are eXtenuating circum-
stances" said the older man, but as
he was speaking he avoided the eyes
sf his nephew.
Il have been sent here, uncle on a
very unpleasant duty, and | intend to
obey the obligations to which | have
pledged myself. You contemplate the
commission of Il crime-one that would
shut you up in a life prison here if the
law were enforced. For the good of
the family name | shall prevent you
from becoming a criminal"
"ConfOund the family namer'
mo. Save your anathemas for an
other occasion. The name is a good
one-is descended from a royal line.
Keep it clean. At least, do not give it
that kind of faint Murder will be
more heroic"
"Will YOU enlighten herr
Les. IL II VIII Dt Oh service 10 you.
The entrance of the housekeeper pre-
vented further conversation. Mr.. Dud-
ley, the host, returned to his own room
in an ungracious mood. Gerald Dud-
ley, the nephew, went out for a walk,
and-an interview.
~ gentleman to see you, Miss and
the little housemaid extended grimy
opt nd
Gerald Dudley? Why, how odd.
Who can he be?" and Miss Rosetta
Allyne-called Rose, for short-looked
at the pasteboard with undisguised
surprise.
us he like -the-other Mr.. Dud-
ley?" she asked.
THE very image, MISS" answered
the little housemaid land dressed like
he was a lord"
Her idea of lords were rather OBJ.
scure, being cleaned from the casual
glimpses of conversation between novel
reading dodgers.
'tShow him up" said Miss Allyne
'and, Kitty, be very slow, | must dc
my hair little
This way, please" said Kitty, de
murely, going backward in order tt
feast her eyes on the new young man
who was so much of an improvement
on the old young man; this way
and she steered him past Miss All
yne's pretty suite of rooms and dowI
a long hall into the presence cf Mrs
Allyne, a severely looking, elderly per
son, in spectacles, who was reading
religious newspaper.
Its gentleman, looking FOL
rooms" said wicked Kitty, who was
giving Miss Rosetta ample time to do
her hair.
Nothing of the sort, madam" sale
the caller, abruptly. 4 sent in M!
card to Miss Allyne. | have bushes:
with her, and need not disturb YOU"
ooh" said Mrs. Allyne, in 4 thin
rasping voice, ''the piano tuner, l pre-
sumo. Show him the way to Rose
rooms" aud she resumed her reading
'You little jade. What did you d
with my card?"
Il forgot answered Kitty, limo
Gently, hanging her head. Then sh
looked up wickedly and said:
''Are you the piano tuner?"
She did not wait for an answer, bu
opened the door of a snug little parlo
and stepped back for him to enter A
the same time young woman, Sigh